Resumé for Michael D. Thornton, Sr.
11150 Rokeby Lane
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039-1047
Office: (703) 766-4675; Fax: (703) 934-2028; Home (703) 249-9294
E-Mail: mthornton@vcp-llc.com
Career Overview
Career is comprised of more than 33 years of experience as an information technologist, health services
administrator and program management subject matter expert, specializing in medical informatics for the
worldwide integrated healthcare delivery system referred to as the Military Health System (MHS). Highly
experienced and successful in a wide range of information technology activities, including applications
development, systems and network integration, telephony and network communications architectures,
from both the systems development life cycle (SDLC) and Department of Defense (DoD) 5000 series for
acquisition management methodologies. Equally well-versed in innovation diffusion, marketing,
customer support, and personnel management, often key elements for successful information technology
development and deployment initiatives. A proven leader and problem solver with superb analytical,
organizational dynamics, strategic/tactical planning and program management skills.
Education
M.S., Administration, Central Michigan University, 1988
B.S., Health Care Administration and Planning/Business Administration, Meharry Medical College,
Tennessee State University, 1978
Professional Certifications, Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, 2005; Certified Professional
in Health Information Management Systems (CPHIMS), 2007; Fellow, Healthcare Information
Management System Society (FHIMSS)
Training Courses, On-going courses offered by the Project Management Institute and Healthcare
Information Management Systems Society in the disciplines of information technology and project
management for continued skills enhancement and retention of professional certifications
Work Experience
Visionary Consulting Partners, LLC
April 2009 – Present
Chief Operating Officer & Principal Consultant
As Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the daily management and operations of a growing
consultancy practice. Duties include execution of business development, human capital and resources
management, business operations compliance oversight and ad hoc management and operational support
tasks to promote an effective, efficient and successful business. When serving in the principal consultant
role, responsible for all consulting support for information technology and project management related
contracted work, applying my skills and experience as a certified senior health care informaticist,
certified project manager and former information technology executive of the DoD, to meet the mission
needs and objectives of our clients. Current consultancies include the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Department of Defense and affiliates of the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society.
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Axiom Resource Management, Inc.
July 2003–April 2009
Vice President, DoD/MHS Healthcare Requirements and Informatics Strategic Business Unit
Provided daily oversight and management of the program management support contracts for Axiom’s
DoD/MHS Strategic Business Unit portfolio, valued at approximately $25 million and supporting the
Defense Health Information Management Systems (DHIMS) and Defense Health Services System
(DHSS) Program Offices. Served as the senior consultant to program office executive leadership on
information technology and project management initiatives of the Military Health System, special
emphasis on the DoD’s electronic health record, along with the full complement of over 40 additional
information technology systems and initiatives held in the Military Health System information technology
portfolio. Additionally, rendered full complement of leadership and management for team of 80
professionals in the disciplines of administrative support, fiscal operations, program management, and
information systems development, deployment and sustainment.
Electronic Data Systems Corporation
July 1999–July 2003
Executive Manager, Clinical Information Systems and Infrastructure Services Portfolio
Responsible for the daily management and oversight of the corporation’s clinical information technology
and infrastructure services business portfolio, providing strategic leadership for information technology
programs for worldwide applications and systems of the DoD and commercial market clients.
Successfully implemented both the Software Engineering Institute Capabilities Maturity Model (CMM)
and Code of Federal Regulations 21–Quality System Regulation business processes for clinical
informatics programs, which resulted in attaining CMM Level 3 program certification and the successful
completion of two Food and Drug Administration inspections for a class II medical device, for the DoD’s
Defense Blood Standard System. Additionally, served as the subject matter expert for the account and
clients on emerging information assurance and protected health information data protection requirements
and strategies for compliance with Health Information Portability and Accountability Act mandates.
Office of the Air Force Surgeon General
March 1997–July 1999
Associate Chief Information Officer, United States Air Force Medical Service
Provided two-pronged information technology and project management oversight support for the Air
Force Medical Service enterprise information technology applications and systems portfolio for over 100
medical treatment facilities worldwide, in conjunction with serving as the CIO for the specific needs of
the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General information technology enterprise at Bolling Air Force Base,
Washington, DC. In both capacities, led the strategic and tactical information technology and project
management initiatives of both enterprises, to ensure interoperability and fluid integration of technologies
within the Air Force Medical Service and successful interconnectivity with external applications and
systems such as those found within the Department of Defense information technology inventory.
Lastly, managed daily network and information systems support operations, led a team of information
technology professionals and developed and implemented short and long-term information technology
plans that included infrastructure renovation, operating system overhaul, applications replacement, and
end-to-end training support for users/clients.
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Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
June 1994–February 1997
Information Systems Integration Manager
Distinguished with being the sole “medic” in the DISA, Joint Requirements Analysis and Integration
Directorate, tasked with and responsible for gathering and refining systems requirements and conducting
business process and data systems architecture analysis, as the first step in the integration of medical
information technology requirements into the command and control infrastructure used for the operational
warfighter, such as the Global Command and Control System, known as the GCSS and the Global
Combat Support System, known as the GCSS. For this effort, the full component of the Systems
Development Life Cycle methodology and the Department of Defense 5000 series was employed to
ensure proper development, testing, integration, deployment and maintenance of applications and systems
occurred, without operational wartime mission disruption.
60th Medical Group, Travis Air Force Base
June 1990–June 1994
Chief Information Officer
As a member of the Medical Center Executive Board, responsible for ensuring that the facility delivered
high-quality healthcare services; maximized through the efficient use of resources through the use of
information technology. Developed, designed, obtained approval, implemented, deployed and maintained
all information technology systems used at the Air Force’s fourth largest medical center and gateway to
the Pacific. Led the program and project management efforts to achieve budgetary, fiscal and
programmatic compliance with governing directives of the higher command and the Department of
Defense. Also, developed requirements, obtained funding, and directed and executed the standup of a
combat-based medical care operations center during Operation Desert Storm/Shield using information
technology and project management knowledge and experience.
Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Pentagon
June 1986–June 1990
Executive Officer/Medical Systems Program Manager
Managed the daily operations of personnel resources, organization operating budget, and supported the
information technology initiatives directed by the Secretary of Defense. Delivered major system upgrades
and reengineered the worldwide healthcare beneficiary communications network, referred to as the
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System or DEERS.
3531st Recruiting Squadron
August 1983–June 1986
Chief, Health Professions Recruiting Branch
Mr. Thornton supervised a specialized recruiting team of four elite noncommissioned officers who were
responsible for acquiring healthcare professionals to fulfill Air Force Medical Service personnel
requirements in support of the worldwide integrated healthcare delivery system.
Clearance
ADP II
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