In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, few leaders have impacted as significantly as Howard Rosen, the CEO and founder of Nova Insights. With a career spanning over three decades, Rosen has seamlessly blended innovation, tenacity, and a human-centric approach to revolutionize digital transformation in the healthcare industry. His unique journey—from a film and television producer to a pioneering health tech inventor—has positioned him as a thought leader and innovator, earning accolades such as the 2024 HIMSS Changemaker in Health Award Finalist and recognition as a Rockefeller Foundation Top 100 Next Century Innovator. Through Nova Insights, Rosen is redefining how healthcare providers and systems leverage technology to enhance patient care and operational efficiency, all while keeping the human element at the core of his mission.
A Diverse Background Fueling Innovation
Howard Rosen’s path to becoming a healthcare technology leader is anything but conventional. With an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University, Rosen initially carved out a successful career as a film and television producer. For two decades, he honed his engagement, storytelling, and creative problem-solving skills—attributes that would later prove invaluable in the healthcare sector. In 2005, a serendipitous idea sparked a dramatic career shift. Rosen founded LifeWIRE Group, a cloud-based communication platform that transformed patient-provider interactions. Under his leadership, LifeWIRE grew from a solo venture to a multinational company serving clients in the public and private sectors, including military and civilian organizations across the United States and Canada.
Rosen’s ability to bridge seemingly disparate industries—entertainment and healthcare—stems from his curiosity and interdisciplinary perspective. “Having come from outside the healthcare industry, specifically as a film producer, I brought a unique perspective to engagement and technology,” Rosen shared in an interview with Digital First Magazine. This outsider’s viewpoint allowed him to challenge conventional approaches and focus on the human side of technology, a philosophy that continues to define his work at Nova Insights.
Founding Nova Insights: A Mission to Humanize Digital Transformation
In 2018, Rosen founded Nova Insights, a consulting firm dedicated to helping healthcare providers and systems navigate the complexities of digital transformation. The company’s mission, aptly described as “Humanizing Digital Transformation,” emphasizes the importance of aligning technological advancements with the needs of patients, clinicians, and stakeholders. Rosen recognized that while digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) hold immense potential, their success hinges on meaningful stakeholder engagement and a deep understanding of the healthcare ecosystem.
Nova Insights addresses a critical gap in the industry: the low success rate of digital transformation initiatives. According to McKinsey, only 4-11% of digital transformation efforts in healthcare are considered successful, often due to a lack of consideration for the entire ecosystem, including internal and external customers. Rosen’s approach is to provide strategic guidance and practical solutions that prioritize human needs over technological hype. “It’s not about the buzzwords,” Rosen emphasized in a 2024 Outcomes Rocket podcast. “It’s about identifying and addressing root problems with passion and stakeholder involvement.”
Under Rosen’s leadership, Nova Insights has worked with major North American healthcare companies to develop and deliver digital products that enhance market penetration and value propositions. His team, bolstered by experts like William Hsu, PhD, MBA, focuses on innovation strategy, health IT, and patient engagement, ensuring clients achieve measurable outcomes. Rosen’s ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable strategies has made Nova Insights a trusted partner for organizations seeking to modernize their operations.
A Legacy of Innovation and Recognition
Rosen’s contributions to healthcare technology extend beyond his role at Nova Insights. As the founder of LifeWIRE, he invented and patented seven utility technologies, including the WhisperText communications platform, which enables secure, encrypted communication without requiring software installation. His work with LifeWIRE earned him recognition from Parks Associates as one of the 2021 Top Leaders in Technology Connected Health, highlighting his drive to improve the lives of consumers and physicians.
One of Rosen’s most notable achievements is his selection as a Rockefeller Foundation Top 100 Next Century Innovator for his work on the LifeWIRE platform, particularly its application in supporting high-risk suicidal veterans through interactive messaging. This recognition underscores his commitment to using technology for social good, a principle that continues to guide his work at Nova Insights. Additionally, as a Fellow at HITLAB (Columbia University) and a member of the Forbes Business Council, Rosen has authored articles on AI, RPA, and executive leadership, sharing insights that influence industry practices.
In 2024, Rosen’s leadership in expanding the HIMSS Ontario Chapter to include provinces like Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia earned him a finalist spot for the HIMSS Changemaker in Health Award. This accolade reflects his dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation within the global health IT community.
Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Transformation
Rosen is candid about the challenges facing healthcare’s digital transformation. He believes that the industry’s reluctance to embrace new technologies and focus on AI hype over practical solutions hinders progress. In his Forbes articles, he advocates for careful planning and ethical implementation of technologies like generative AI, which he sees as a game-changer for patient engagement and precision medicine if appropriately managed. “The advent of generative AI is exciting, but we’re in the early days with great opportunities and many challenges,” Rosen noted in Digital First Magazine.
He also emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of skepticism. “The more an idea receives push-back, the more likely you are on to something,” he told CIO Views. This tenacity, combined with his ability to incorporate diverse perspectives, has enabled Rosen to navigate obstacles and drive meaningful change.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
As Nova Insights continues to grow, Rosen remains focused on his vision of a healthcare system where technology empowers patients and clinicians. He envisions a future where digital tools enhance access to care, particularly for disadvantaged and rural populations, bypassing legacy systems that often exclude vulnerable communities. His science fiction-inspired optimism—drawing from works that explore human potential—fuels his belief that we are at a pivotal moment for healthcare innovation.
Rosen’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: stay true to your vision, surround yourself with diverse advisors, and never lose sight of the human factor. “If we’re going to be here for 70–80 years, why not make the best of it and for others who follow?” he told CIO Views. This philosophy encapsulates his approach to leadership and innovation, ensuring that his legacy is one of positive impact and meaningful change.
Conclusion
Howard Rosen’s journey from film production to healthcare technology is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to humanizing technology. As CEO of Nova Insights, he is transforming how healthcare organizations adopt digital solutions and inspiring a new generation of innovators to prioritize people over processes. With a record of groundbreaking patents, industry accolades, and a clear vision for the future, Rosen is poised to continue shaping the healthcare landscape for years to come. In an era where technology often overshadows humanity, Howard Rosen reminds us that the heart of innovation lies in making lives better, one solution at a time.
