Bryan order created Office of Health Information Technology and named Michelle Francis executive director

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed an executive order on March 10, 2022, establishing the Office of Health Information Technology under the Office of the Governor and naming Michelle Francis as executive director.

According to the order, the office was created to support the use of health information technology in the territory’s health-care system, including the secure exchange of residents’ health records and population health data.

The order said the office’s objectives included increasing access to care for vulnerable residents, improving the collection and analysis of health data, and developing interoperable systems that can integrate social determinants of health data into clinical systems.

The office also was assigned to coordinate health technology initiatives across government agencies and providers, support technology adoption, guide policy and legislation related to health information technology, and develop and manage the government’s Health Information Exchange.

The order said off-island care costs exceeded $30 million a year and could be reduced through the use of certified electronic and virtual tools.

Francis previously served as director of strategic operations and planning at the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, according to Government House.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-issues-executive-order-establishing-office-of-health-information-technology/