Dr. Candace Smith

The Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross recently announced that Dr. Candace Smith and Andrew “Andy” Brace joined its board of directors.

Smith is vice president of Operations, Chief Nurse Executive, Lee Health, at Cape Coral Hospital and has been in healthcare for over 30 years. She holds a board certification in Advanced Nursing Executive from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She holds a Ph.D. in education with a specialization in organizational leadership while earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from D’Youville College, and a master’s in public administration from University of Brockport, New York.

Outside of her position with Lee Health, Smith serves on the board of the Western Florida-American College Healthcare Executives Chapter and is past president for Sun Coast Organization of Nurse Executives, a chapter of the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives. She is an adjunct professor at State College of Florida, Health Services Administration Program and teaches quality management in healthcare and contemporary issues in healthcare.

She has also recently joined Nova Southeastern University as an adjunct professor and teaches quality management in healthcare.

 Brace serves as vice president and a senior relationship strategist at PNC Wealth Management and has over 20 years of banking, investment and planning experience with PNC and National City Bank. He is also a retired combat veteran with 20-plus years of service in the Army National Guard. During his time in the Army, he served as first sergeant for an Area Support Medical Company where he participated in multiple state-side disaster response engagements and overseas deployments.

Andrew Brace

He has a bachelor of science in human ecology, family resource management and a minor in economics from Ohio State University. He also has a master of business administration in management and strategy from WGU, Utah.

“Andy and Candace are both passionate about the communities that they serve. They understand the mission of the Red Cross and the vital role we play in our community and the need for collaboration across organizations,” said Jill Palmer, executive director of the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter. “With a focus on partnerships and service, Andy and Candace are wonderful additions to our local board.” 

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida and visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @SFLRedCross.