At the intersection of health, leadership, and systems
I bring together research, clinical experience, and systems thinking to help people and organizations
see more clearly, make stronger decisions, and create conditions for health and thriving.
Coaching • Consulting • Speaking
Grounded in clinical care, research, and real-world application.
Think with Me.
Most people don’t need more information — they need space to think differently.
I share ideas at the intersection of health, leadership, and systems, grounded in evidence and designed to help you see yourself, your work, and the world around you more clearly.
“We live in a world overflowing with information.
But what most people actually need is space to think differently and the encouragement to trust their creativity.”
Coaching
Individualized support for people and leaders navigating growth, change, and complexity
Health, leadership, and life integration
Creativity and expression
Decision-making and transitions
Speaking:
Keynotes & Workshops
For conferences, institutions, and teams
Health, leadership, and systems thinking
Disability-informed care and inclusion
Creativity, identity, and sustainable Impact
Evidence-informed talks that challenge assumptions, expand perspective, and catalyze meaningful change.
Consulting
Strategic partnerships for organizations and research teams navigating complex health, research, and systems challenges.
Health systems and strategy
Research and policy
Program and intervention design
Dr. Michelle Scotton Franklin
I’m Michelle—a health scientist, dual-certified nurse practitioner, and systems thinker working at the intersection of health, leadership, and systems design. I’ve spent my career partnering with individuals, families, and leaders to navigate complex challenges and optimize health outcomes.
In my academic role as faculty at Duke University, I conduct research, develop interventions, and provide clinical care focused on improving health outcomes and systems of care, particularly for people with disabilities.
As Founder of Optimizing Health Collaborative, PLLC, I extend this work beyond traditional settings, partnering with individuals and organizations to translate insight into meaningful, sustainable change. I work with individuals and organizations to navigate complexity, strengthen systems, and create environments where people can thrive—not just perform. Together, we step back, see more clearly, and build ways of working that are both effective and sustainable.
My work is shaped by decades of experience in clinical care, research, and policy, and grounded in a simple belief: the most effective systems are those that care for the humans within them.
Because when people are supported well and able to fully realize their creative capacity, they don’t just perform—they live well, lead fully, and thrive together.