Dr. Christopher LaCross is a board-certified internal medicine physician with a long-standing commitment to caring for people who are too often overlooked by traditional healthcare systems. His clinical background includes extensive experience in HIV medicine, hepatitis B/C treatment, and LGBTQ+ healthcare/affirming care, shaped by years of work and research in both hospital and outpatient settings serving diverse and medically complex populations.

Dr. LaCross earned his medical degree with research honors from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and completed his internal medicine residency at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Throughout his career, he has been known for his patient-centered approach—taking time to listen, explain, and partner with patients in their care, particularly those facing stigma and discrimination, housing instability, drug addiction, or limited access to medical services. When experiencing the distrust of the medical system that exists in some communities and subpopulations, he recognized the paramount importance of connecting with patients and showing compassion and true care while maintaining a nonjudgmental, safe space where all are treated as deserving of treatment; all are treated as human.

In early 2023, Dr. LaCross was invited to join Lifeline Health Florida to help build and guide its clinical mission of providing free, high-quality hepatitis C, HIV and STI testing and care across the state. He is deeply proud to be part of Lifeline’s work and shares its belief that the current system has failed to provide effective care to patients struggling with addiction via current recovery assistance, too often leaving vulnerable patients with few resources and the odds stacked against them. He strives to make patients comfortable, motivated to engage in their own healthcare, with his reassuring down-to-earth personality making them feel like they are talking to a friend that isn’t there to judge, but rather help, and truly understands what they have been through.

Dr. LaCross approaches medicine with a philosophy grounded in compassion, dignity, and evidence-based care, and he considers his role at Lifeline Health Florida one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of his medical career.

Alexandra Franco, MD, MHA, is a double board-certified Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease physician, healthcare administrator, and medical educator with extensive experience across academic medicine, community healthcare, and large hospital systems.

She currently serves as the Medical Director of Employee Health and Infection Prevention for the Advent Health Central Florida Division, in Orlando, FL. She is also part of the Academic Clinical Infectious Disease team at various AdventHealth hospitals, where she cares for immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients with infectious diseases.

She is originally from Colombia, fluent in both English and Spanish. She completed her Internal Medicine training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, her Infectious Disease training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and her Master in Healthcare Administration at the University of Southern California (USC).

Her leadership career includes serving as Chief Medical Officer for large Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in CA and VA, medical director of Ryan White Programs, and developing innovative healthcare programs for underserved communities. She has also been a pivotal leader in clinical innovation and public health, co-designing and implementing statewide and correctional health Hepatitis C programs, contributing to Florida’s HCV Elimination Plan, and integrating TeleHealth and emerging technologies to expand access to high-quality care.

She is passionate about health equity, diminishing healthcare disparities, and patient-centered care.