Hereford Regional Medical Center CEO Candice Smith Discusses the Future of Rural Nursing Leadership

New nursing education opportunities at West Texas A&M University could help strengthen healthcare leadership and emergency care throughout the Texas Panhandle. 

Candice R. Smith, MSN, RHCNOC, CCRN, RACR, chief executive officer of Deaf Smith County Hospital District, recently spoke with ABC 7 Amarillo about WTAMU’s new Doctor of Nursing Practice program and Emergency Nurse Practitioner certificate program. 

As a longtime nurse leader who previously served as chief nursing officer before becoming CEO, Smith understands the influence nurses can have at every level of a rural healthcare organization. She emphasized the importance of helping nurses continue their education, move into leadership positions, and remain prepared to deliver evidence-based care. 

These programs also have the potential to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce. Advanced nursing education can help hospitals develop leaders from within their communities while expanding access to clinicians with specialized emergency care training. 

At Hereford Regional Medical Center, nursing leadership remains closely connected to quality and patient outcomes. That commitment is demonstrated through initiatives such as the hospital’s award-winning community paramedicine program, which helped reduce preventable hospital readmissions from 35% to 5% within one year. 

By investing in nurses and preparing them to lead, rural hospitals can continue improving care, developing their workforce, and meeting the evolving needs of the communities they serve.