Editor’s note: The following is adapted from a press release from the Bloomington Health Foundation. Bloom has republished it here with edits for style and clarity.
The board of directors of the Bloomington Health Foundation (BHF) has named Michelle Gilchrist as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer.
Gilchrist comes to BHF with more than 15 years of senior leadership experience, having most recently served for the past five years as CEO for the National Foundation for Transplants, which generates fundraising support for people in need of organ transplants. Prior to that, she served as major gifts officer and then senior director of major gifts at the University of Tennessee Science Center. She has also served in leadership roles at Community Health Charities in North Central Texas and United Way of the Mid-South in Memphis, Tennessee.
“We are delighted that Michelle is joining BHF as our new president and chief executive officer,” says board chair Tedd Green. “We are at an exciting time in our organization’s history and Michelle’s proven leadership, focus on strategic implementation, and emphasis on addressing community health issues will greatly advance BHF’s mission and better our community.”
“I’ve worked at a wide range of organizations from grassroots to very large not-for-profits, which has given me a broad understanding of fundraising, programming and how to measure the value of programs that are being considered,” says Gilchrist. “I am looking forward to collaborating with Bloomington community members and organizations to make impactful change that addresses the community’s most pressing health needs.”
Gilchrist is in the process of completing a Doctor of Science in Healthcare Leadership from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and plans to draw upon the skills she’s learned throughout her professional career to build collaborative partnerships with community organizations and help enable funding of innovative, health-focused programs that are priorities for the greater Bloomington community.
“I am particularly passionate about unearthing the specific causes of the social determinants of health in the community and identifying why funding gaps exist which aligns perfectly with BHF’s mission,” says Gilchrist. Bloomington Health Foundation has been the local philanthropic expert for improving community health for more than 50 years. BHF invests support in partnership with the people and organizations of our community by convening, seeking input, and leveraging existing assets to implement innovative, evidence-based solutions to our community’s health needs. Since 2018, BHF has committed over $3 million to impact health in Bloomington and beyond.
