Health care IT firm adds new exec

The rapid hiring of executives at mobile health care firm Voalte continues with Candace Smith, who was named chief nursing officer of the fast-growth company.

Smith follows the hiring of Kenda West, a former IT executive with Johns Hopkins Medicine who was named chief operating officer in September. Voalte, which stands for voice, alarm and text, developed technology that allows nurses and hospital employees to communicate with each other over smartphones. The company has more than 100 employees, and recently moved into new offices on Fruitville Road near Interstate 75.

Smith most recently worked for Medline Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of healthcare supplies, where she was a senior vice president, chief nursing officer and clinical program consultant. She's also held a variety of executive nursing positions at hospitals in upstate New York.

“Candace brings decades of nursing experience to Voalte,” Voalte President Trey Lauderdale says in a release. “Her impressive history and passion for patient care will provide the expertise to continue enhancing our products to align with our end-user's needs.”

Smith will work with both the clinical department at Voalte and the firm's leadership team. “Health care technology should supplement clinical care, not hinder it,” Smith says in the release. “In addition to enhancing clinical workflow, Voalte is actively changing the way clinicians care for patients. I am honored to become a part of this team.”