Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Service Members & Veterans

Michael Hartford Michael is a Special Projects Healthcare Consultant for Avalon Action Alliance. He is the former Chief of Staff/Chief Operations Director at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Aurora, Colorado. Subsequent to retiring from the U.S. Navy, he served on the senior executive team for Zeiders Enterprises, Inc., a Quality of Life Company focused on Military Family Readiness and Resilience Services.

His last active duty assignment was as the Deputy Director, Navy Reserve Medicine, Defense Health Headquarters. He also served as the Navy Senior Liaison Officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a Care Manager with Navy Wounded Warrior/Safe Harbor. Prior to being commissioned a Navy Ensign he served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and Army National Guard.

Michael’s held c-suite executive positions in the Department of Defense (DOD), VA and the Florida Department of Health (DOH). His positions in the DOH included Hillsborough County’s Administrative Services Director/Financial Administrator. His twenty-two (22) year VA career included assignments as CEO, VA Health Administration Center, Denver, CO, COO, Loma Linda, CA and Acting CEO, Long Beach, CA.

He is Board Certified and a Life Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives (LFACHE), VP, Manasota Veterans, Inc., and team lead, Florida Governor’s Challenge Task Force. Michael is Past President, ACHE Western Florida Chapter, and served as a board member on the President’s PREVENTS Task Force and the Veterans Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation.

Michael is a graduate of the 79th Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives, Leadership VA and was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2021. He is an active member of the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Loyal Order of the Moose, The Army and Navy Club, Association of the United States Navy and is a life member of the Leadership VA Alumni Association.

He received his BS from Northeastern University, MHA from the University of Laverne and completed post-graduate work at the George Washington University. Military decorations include the President’s Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star).