Candace Wistrich
Roseville
Summary
Healthcare operations leader with 14+ years of progressive clinical and leadership experience in respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary services. Currently serving as Interim Director of Cardiopulmonary Services, with executive oversight of six clinical departments and approximately 130 FTEs across four direct-report supervisors. Proven record leading respiratory therapy teams across a Level II Trauma Center and Level III NICU: developing clinical standards and protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety, and driving quality improvement and cost-effective resource management. Skilled in mentoring, coaching, and staffing/workforce methodology development. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), California-licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), BLS/NRP certified, and pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Director, Cardiopulmonary Services
Mercy San Juan Medical Center
04.2026 - Current
- Provide executive oversight for six cardiopulmonary service lines across a Level II Trauma Center and Level III NICU, ensuring consistent clinical standards, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead strategic planning, budget and resource management, quality improvement, workforce optimization, and regulatory readiness for a multidisciplinary team of approximately 130 FTEs.
- Mentor and coach four direct-report supervisors and their teams, building leadership bench strength while partnering with executive leadership, physicians, nursing, finance, and operational guidance.
- CommonSpirit Health
Manager, Respiratory Therapy
Mercy San Juan Medical Center
12.2024 - Current
- Led a department-wide cultural transformation for the Respiratory Therapy team, rebuilding trust through servant leadership, transparency, and accountability.
- Directed daily respiratory therapy operations, staffing, and clinical practice, ensuring regulatory compliance and uncompromising patient safety and quality.
- Redesigned staffing models using operational analytics and productivity data to improve efficiency and resource allocation.
- Collaborated with Finance and Operational Guidance to define RVU-based respiratory services and staffing methodology, generating more than $24,000 in annual cost savings and helping shape organizational staffing standards.
- Advocated for frontline caregivers and patients, promoting service quality and care coordination.
- CommonSpirit Health
Supervisor, Respiratory Therapy
Mercy San Juan Medical Center
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Directed daily respiratory therapy operations, staffing, education, and quality initiatives across a Level II Trauma Center and Level III NICU.
- Coached and developed staff, supporting clinical competency and professional growth; promoted to Manager based on sustained leadership performance.
- CommonSpirit Health
Registered Respiratory Therapist
NorthBay Medical Center
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Provided advanced respiratory care in adult critical care, emergency medicine, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, pulmonary diagnostics, patient assessment and education, and neonatal resuscitation.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Provided advanced respiratory care in adult critical care, emergency medicine, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, pulmonary diagnostics, patient assessment and education, and neonatal resuscitation.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
John Muir Medical Center
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Provided advanced respiratory care in adult critical care, emergency medicine, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, pulmonary diagnostics, patient assessment and education, and neonatal resuscitation.
Education
Master of Healthcare Administration -
University of Arizona Global Campus
07.2026
Bachelor of Science - in Respiratory Therapy
San Joaquin Valley College
Associate of Science - in Respiratory Therapy
San Joaquin Valley College
Skills
- Healthcare Operations
- Multi-Site Leadership
- Clinical Quality
- Patient Safety
- Regulatory Compliance
- Mentoring
- Coaching
- Resource Management
- Budget Management
- Quality Improvement
- Staffing Methodology
- Workforce Optimization
- Care Coordination
- Patient Advocacy
- Physician Collaboration
- Strategic Planning
- Change Management
- Employee Engagement
Certification
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- California Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)
- BLS
- ACLS
- PALS
- NRP
Personal Information
Title: Interim Director | Healthcare Operations Executive | Cardiopulmonary Services Leader
Awards
- CommonSpirit Health Love Award – Highest organizational recognition.
- Multiple awards for clinical excellence and leadership.
Committees And Professional Leadership
- Committee Member, Mission Integration Committee
- Co-Chair, Human Trafficking Committee
- Executive committee participation: Critical Care, Code Blue, ICU Operations, Medication Safety, and Quality & Patient Safety.
Executive Highlights
- Executive oversight of Respiratory Therapy, Level III NICU Respiratory Services, Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Neurodiagnostics across a Level II Trauma Center and Level III NICU.
- Lead approximately 130 FTEs through four direct-report supervisors, with a strong focus on mentoring and coaching.
- Generated more than $24,000 in annual operational cost savings through equipment optimization, resource management, and staffing redesign.
- Oversee 30 quality, safety, and regulatory compliance metrics across six departments.
- Partnered with Finance and Operational Guidance to establish RVU-based staffing methodology supporting organization-wide workforce planning.
- Recipient of the CommonSpirit Health Love Award, the organization's highest employee recognition.
Timeline
Interim Director, Cardiopulmonary Services
Mercy San Juan Medical Center
04.2026 - Current
Manager, Respiratory Therapy
Mercy San Juan Medical Center
12.2024 - Current
Supervisor, Respiratory Therapy
Mercy San Juan Medical Center
01.2021 - 01.2024
Registered Respiratory Therapist
NorthBay Medical Center
01.2020 - 01.2021
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
01.2019 - 01.2020
Registered Respiratory Therapist
John Muir Medical Center
01.2013 - 01.2018
Master of Healthcare Administration -
University of Arizona Global Campus
Bachelor of Science - in Respiratory Therapy
San Joaquin Valley College
Associate of Science - in Respiratory Therapy
San Joaquin Valley College