Welcoming Michelle Murrey and her passion for public health to the team!
Three words to describe World Telehealth Initiative’s (WTI) new Director of Development are: compassionate, determined, and creative.
Michelle Murrey found that she loved storytelling early on through photography. After receiving her first camera in elementary school, she began taking a camera with her on her travels around the world. “I discovered how much I enjoyed capturing the human experience.”
Michelle’s career in the non-profit sector began in Romania, where she worked with orphans who were experiencing long-term institutionalization. She decided to build her career around uplifting and “giving a voice to people who are often cast aside.”
Joining her passion for photography and humanitarian work, Michelle then became a photographer for medical missions in Africa. “I had the privilege of documenting patients’ journeys from their homes to the hospital, operating room, rehabilitation, and returning to their families. It was an honor to witness their transformations.” After two years, she moved from photography to development—building relationships with donors and partners to generate funding for medical missions. She carried her love of storytelling and passion for public health with her by sharing “the dire need and profound heroism displayed in hospitals every day.”
A photo of women in Uganda that Michelle took during her time working on medical missions. Photo credit: Michelle Murrey
Traveling to over 18 countries, working in the non-profit sector for 20 years, and working directly with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, Michelle sees the profound impact of equal access to healthcare. “After caring for dying children and befriending people who had lived for decades without access to proper healthcare, it became a driving force in my life to contribute to making healthcare available and accessible.”
Through her new role as Director of Development at WTI, Michelle builds relationships with individuals, corporations, and foundations that understand the critical need for global healthcare access. “It is a privilege to seek out funding and partnership opportunities, build rapport with our supporters, and enable our teams to focus on what matters most—providing quality, accessible, and timely healthcare for ill or injured people.”
With Michelle’s talent for storytelling, heart for public health, and experience helping those in need around the world, she is a fantastic addition to the WTI team. When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Michelle shared that “lack of access to healthcare is a global crisis. If I can be a small part of the solution, that brings me joy.”
Fun fact about Michelle: She is currently learning to read and write Braille with her daughter.