My Name is Frankie Santiago, I started working on computers in 1998. I remember taking apart my computer I just bought from Circuit City (What a throwback) and putting it back together. From that day on I began working on computers for friends and family to hone in on my skills on reinstalling windows and fixing common issues. I had a dream of working in the IT field before I knew it really existed or what IT stood for.
My Education Road Map
In 2004 I took a chance and went to Branford Hall Career Institute where I graduated with a 4.0. During this time period I received my Comptia Net+ and A+ Certifications. I was naïve at the time my thought process was “I need a piece of paper to get a job!” The recruiter said not to state that on my application.
In 2007 I went to the American Intercontinental University to start getting a degree in Information Technology. I received my Associates in Business Administration under Information Technonlogy. I then decided to continue my education and get my Bachelors in Network Administration and graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors.
In 2011 I kept studying and went on to complete a course in Health Information Technology at Capital Community College and took a vigorous test to get my Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist certification.
In 2011 I also received my Microsoft Certified Professional Certification on my birthday.
In 2016 I went and took my Healthcare Technician Certification with one of my technicians on Dec 31 (Bring in the new year with a new Certification)
My Current Work Status
As an accomplished IT leader with over two decades of experience, I guide organizations through complex transformations and technological growth. From managing multi-location help desk operations to architecting enterprise-scale networks and launching EMR platform across healthcare systems, I consistently unite strategic vision with hands-on execution.
Currently serving as Director of Information Technology/HITECH Security Officer supporting the Fair Haven Community Health Care network, I lead infrastructure planning, disaster recovery, and enterprise migrations that impact 600+ end users. My work includes major deployments of EPIC, MIPACS, Microsoft Office 365, Desktop/Laptop Deployments, and Active Directory ecosystems—all anchored by custom policy frameworks and ongoing cybersecurity initiatives.
Beyond organizational leadership, I’m a lifelong IT engineer with roots in diagnostics, operating system installs, remote management, and cloud services. I thrive on tackling the nuanced needs of end users, building resilient systems, and mentoring future technologists to lead with integrity and innovation.
One of my greatest passions is mentoring technicians both inside and outside of the organization, an experience that has made my journey at FHCHC truly unforgettable. For the past five years, I have served as a Committee Member for the Information Technology Program Advisory Committee at Kaynor Tech Career Institute. In this role, I’ve had the privilege of guiding students through resume building, conducting mock interviews, and most recently, providing strategic feedback and advice on their capstone projects.
Rising from an intern to a Director has deeply shaped my leadership approach, teaching me the value of perseverance and hands-on growth at every level. I never thought I would be in this position, but with this power I train the next edition or tech and it’s what fascinates me most! I know this is a cliche, but with hard work and dedication anything is possible.
Reach for your north star and you will never fail!
Note to those who I have encountered:
To everyone I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with, managing, mentoring, or simply swapping IT insights with over the years: thank you. The feedback, knowledge, and expertise you have shared with me have been invaluable, and I am proud to have passed those lessons forward. I have always believed that valuable insights are meant to be shared rather than hoarded, and “learn together, pass it on” remains one of my core ideals. As I continue to grow in my journey, I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the impact you’ve had on my career.
My Journey Continues!
Thank you!