In the complex world of healthcare information technology, a landscape filled with data streams, regulatory mazes, and high-stakes projects, some leaders merely manage. Monique Fruitier, STEM MBA, PMP. however, does something different. She architects. Like a master planner designing a city, she builds the infrastructure, the pathways, and the frameworks that allow healthcare organizations not just to function, but to thrive. From her early days explaining complex software to her current role as CEO of EHR Management and PMO Chair at PMI-SVC, Monique has become one of the most vital voices in a sector undergoing constant transformation. Her work is about the strategic, human-centered logic that makes technology serve its ultimate purpose: higher quality patient care.
The Unintentionally Intentional Expert
Every great career has a starting point, and Monique’s was not in a high-powered boardroom but in the trenches of technical training. Her journey into the heart of healthcare IT began in 1997 when she fell in love with computing technology. “I entered the healthcare IT industry as a technical writer and trainer, training physicians and clinicians on various aspects of electronic health record (EHR) software modules,” she recalls. After this, she honed her skills as a software trainer for SkillPath Seminars and government entities seeking workforce development. This foundation proved invaluable.
Her knack for making the complex understandable, a rare and essential skill, did not go unnoticed. “My background in technical training, combined with some education in computer science, helped me secure a consulting position with Aurora Healthcare in my home state of Wisconsin. This is where it all started for me.” Monique says.
While developing training materials for doctors and clinicians, she gained a deep, ground-level understanding of how healthcare IT systems truly worked. This expertise soon led her to a new opportunity with Southwest Medical Associates in Las Vegas, where she moved from a Business Analyst role into the world of project management. It was here that she evolved with the industry itself, learning to lead everything from IT infrastructure overhauls to critical software migrations and interface implementations.
A Company Born from Change
Then, in 2009, the entire healthcare landscape shifted. The United States government passed the HITECH Act, a landmark piece of legislation designed to accelerate the adoption of electronic health records. The act created a powerful set of incentives for healthcare providers to go digital and, just as importantly, penalties for those who failed to comply by 2014.
For Monique, this was a pivotal moment. “Due to the HITECH Act of 2009, my skillset was niche and in high demand,” she explains. The new rules covered everything from electronic prescribing to revenue cycle management, all while strengthening patient privacy under HIPAA. “These healthcare requirements opened many doors for consulting work and contract opportunities in healthcare,” she notes. Recognizing the urgent need for expert guidance, she founded EHR Management (https://www.ehrmanagement.com) that same year.
Today, with over two decades of experience and an MBA in Strategy, her firm is expanding its vision. While project management remains a core service, EHR Management is moving into broader strategic territory. The company is now adding strategic business consulting that utilizes statistical analysis and an AI MBA framework for market entry projects, risk management, and process improvement to help organizations achieve operational excellence.
The Challenge of a Seamless System
Even with widespread EHR adoption, the dream of a fully integrated healthcare system remains just over the horizon. “Healthcare IT organizations still face significant challenges in achieving true integration and seamless data flow,” Monique states. The industry is moving forward, but major hurdles persist. “Some of the biggest challenges include interoperability, data privacy, and security issues. Regulatory and compliance issues related to data sharing and a lack of standardization is also a concern for organizations.”
How does her company help clients navigate this maze? Monique’s approach is direct and effective. She focuses on “leading high-performing, cross-functional teams, and rolling out centralized, cloud-based and hosted solutions.” By bringing together the right people and implementing modern, flexible technology, she helps break down the silos that have long kept crucial patient data locked away.
This leadership extends beyond her company. As a volunteer chairperson for the PMI SVC PMO Forum, she fosters a community of learning for project managers. “My overall professional desire is to help bring people together to network from a social, professional, and lifelong learning approach,” she says. Her past role as Co-President of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management Healthcare Council further highlights this commitment, where she helped showcase diverse healthcare professions and technologies.
The Secret to High-Stakes Success
Managing a large-scale EHR rollout is a monumental task. The stakes are incredibly high, and failure can impact everything from stakeholder satisfaction to hospital revenue to patient safety. So, what is Monique’s secret to not only succeeding in these projects but also ensuring clients are satisfied for years to come?
The answer lies in the management of innovation and strategic alignment. “My secret is through leading and supporting organizations to execute projects, programs, and portfolios that align with their strategic goals and objectives, while empowering my teams to be curious and creative in their ability to develop effective technical solutions that solve problems,” she reveals. These are simple concepts with powerful implications. When project stakeholders have the freedom and flexibility to create something new that builds on previous knowledge and experience, it almost always leads to increased productivity and ingenuity. A project aligned with a clear and comprehensible business objective ensures that every decision is made with greater focus and purpose. “Aligning with clearly defined and articulated objectives makes it easier to deliver, maintain, and support specific project requirements and assess their efficacy through the utilization of OKRs, KPIs, and total quality management.”
This strategic rigor, however, is only half of the equation. Monique pairs it with a leadership style that puts people first. “I try to balance technical project management (PMP) rigor with servant leadership,” Monique explains. This philosophy acknowledges a fundamental truth of complex projects. “Project Management comes with positional power, but our teams are the experts who need the proper tools and support to accomplish these business initiatives. Achieving an optimal balance between authoritative leadership and a coaching approach to managing people necessitates self-assurance and confidence in team members’ ability to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
Monique believes that genuine leadership is not about commanding but about supporting. “The only authentic way to be an effective and transformational leader is by empowering our teams through our example of empathy and high ethical standards.” This human-centered approach is her key to navigating inevitable challenges. When a project hits a roadblock, her response is not to assign blame, but to seek understanding and resolution. “I’ve found that effective communication is the best way forward,” she says. “It’s good to get to the root cause of the issue and provide the clarity and resources needed to help people move forward.”
A Future Forged by AI and Guided by Faith
Monique’s forward-looking mindset has recently earned her significant recognition. She was honored with a leadership award by the UC Davis Graduate School of Management for her exemplary leadership. “This was an immensely proud moment for me,” she shares.
Now, she is looking toward the next frontier: artificial intelligence. “As I’m looking for many ways to utilize AI technology in my business and for my clients. I recently received certifications on an AI MBA platform that consists of both project management and MBA workflows that will make the implementation of my client projects more efficient and effective,” she says. She is excited to use these new tools to help clients with corporate vision, competitive analysis, and performance management in both operations and project management.
Amidst these professional pursuits, Monique is intentional about maintaining balance. “I travel as much as possible and take regular breaks for rest and relaxation,” she says. “Having an excellent work/life balance is key to being able to be healthy in mind, soul, body, and spirit.”
Underpinning her entire professional and personal life is a deep sense of purpose. For Monique, leadership is a calling that goes beyond titles and projects. “As a co-vocational professional, my faith in God and His plan for my life is what continues to propel me forward in leadership opportunities in healthcare, technology, and other business sectors,” she shares.
This guiding principle shapes her vision of leadership. I believe that through allowing the wisdom and knowledge of God to govern my life, it has established me in the areas of wisdom, strength, and transparency in leadership. I would not be where I am today without my relationship with God, and I look forward to all that He has in store for me and for those I serve!” It is a humble yet powerful foundation for a leader who continues to build the future of healthcare, one strategic block at a time.
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Also Read: The 10 Most Impactful Healthcare IT Leaders to Watch in 2025
