In October 2021, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. signed an Executive Order establishing the Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) under the Office of the Governor, appointing Michelle Francis as its Executive Director. In this role, Michelle leads the development and implementation of the USVI health IT strategy, advises on federal health IT standards and policies, coordinates health IT and interoperability projects across government agencies, and fosters collaboration on transformative initiatives such as a territory-wide Health Information Exchange (HIE), telehealth, and data interoperability.

A native of St. Croix, Michelle returned to the US Virgin Islands from Chicago, bringing over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience. Before her current position, she served as the Director of Strategic Operations and Planning for the USVI Department of Human Services, a VP with a Sage Health, a Chicago based healthcare strategy firm and served in a variety of leadership roles with hospitals and healthcare systems. Michelle has achieved significant accomplishments in healthcare, including implementing enterprise-wide electronic health records (EHR) and clinical applications, and developing an Accountable Care Entity in Chicago that encompasses four hospitals, twelve Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), 800 physicians, and over 60,000 members.

Throughout her career, Michelle has held senior leadership roles in hospital settings and as a consultant across healthcare, education, government, and non-profit sectors. She has launched three successful businesses and has expertise in leading technology implementations, conducting market research, developing strategic plans, and employing change management principles. Her skills in crafting culturally competent communication strategies, market analysis and growth, creating distinct brands, launching products, and forging critical partnerships have driven organizational effectiveness and growth. Michelle believes her success is rooted in research bolstered by imagination, inspiration, and innovation.

Under Michelle’s leadership, the OHIT serves as a collaborative hub focused on leveraging technology to address pressing healthcare challenges. The office convenes stakeholders to facilitate collaboration among providers and government agencies, advocating for health technology enhancements that prioritize quality, user experience, and value.

Michelle graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations and furthered her studies in Sustainable Development in Perth, Australia. Her international experience spans St. Lucia, Australia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, India, and the Philippines. In the U.S., she has managed clients while residing in San Diego and Chicago. A self-described adventurer and pioneer, Michelle balances her professional pursuits with the joys of raising two active boys.