Michael Howell

Dr. Michael Howell, MD, MPH, is a physician-scientist and health technology executive focused on improving the quality, safety, and science of healthcare delivery. As chief health officer at Google, Howell leads a team of health professionals guiding the company’s efforts to apply Google’s technology to healthcare, supporting individuals in accessing health information and resources.

An expert at the intersection of artificial intelligence and health, Howell’s career centers on enhancing the quality, safety, experience, and value of healthcare across health systems and consumer health. Before joining Google, Howell served as chief quality officer at University of Chicago Medicine, overseeing care quality for the health system. He previously held roles at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, concentrating on quality, patient safety, and healthcare delivery science. Howell also served as the founding director of the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science and Innovation at University of Chicago Medicine.

A pulmonary and critical care physician, Howell has contributed to clinical practice and systems innovation. He is a researcher and author with more than 100 research articles, editorials, and book chapters, and is the author of "Understanding Healthcare Delivery Science," a foundational textbook in the field. His work has been featured by CNN, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Consumer Reports. Howell has served on national advisory and guideline panels for the CDC, Medicare, the National Academy of Medicine, and national professional associations, contributing expertise in patient safety and healthcare quality.

At Google, Howell leads the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies designed to support scalable, safe, and equitable medical care. He has addressed audiences at major forums, including the Aspen Ideas Festival and the JAMA+ AI podcast, discussing the balance between innovation and safety in AI-driven medicine. Howell’s perspective on AI’s role in healthcare emphasizes the importance of integrating technology to advance patient care. Through his leadership and research, Howell influences the evolving relationship between technology and medicine, supporting advancements in patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.