Rose Howard didn’t pursue a career in healthcare to be in the spotlight. She did it because she believed in the mission.
“I’ve always been drawn to the idea that what we do behind the scenes — the systems, the workflows, the strategy — can change the experience for patients and providers alike,” says Howard, Director of Business Development at Advantum Health. “It’s not about being loud. It’s about being meaningful.”
Her story is proof that some of the most effective leaders aren’t those who set out to be center stage, but those who are driven by purpose and willing to grow in service of that purpose.
The face of first impressions and long-term trust
In many companies, business development ends once the contract is signed. But not at Advantum.
Howard is the first face a client sees, but also one they’ll continue to work with long after implementation. From initial outreach through go-live and beyond, she stays engaged, providing strategic insight, connection and consistency.
“At Advantum, we don’t believe in handoffs that create confusion,” she states. “We believe in continuity, clarity and collaboration. That’s how trust is built.”
It’s a philosophy that mirrors the best of clinical care, where seamless transitions between teams aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential. And in her world, that means being present at every step.
From patient to partner: A purpose rooted in personal experience
Howard’s commitment to healthcare runs deep and began early.
As a child, she underwent two surgeries for thyroid cancer by the age of 12. Though she didn’t yet understand the complexities of the healthcare system, the experience left a lasting impression. “I didn’t see ‘broken systems’ at that age,” she reflects. “But I did feel the gravity of what it means to be cared for, and the quiet impact of everyone who made that care possible.”
Those early memories would evolve into something more profound over time. As she matured, so did her understanding of how access, coordination and back-end systems shape patient experience. That awareness, seeded in childhood, grew into a professional calling.
After studying psychology at Brescia University, she began her career in hospice care — a space where emotional intelligence, communication and compassion converge.
“I worked in patient intake, and the families of our patients were my number-one priority…how they felt, how they were cared for,” she recalls. “I focused on how I could make even a small impact on what was often one of the worst days of their lives, and somehow turn it into one of the best memories in their final moments with a loved one.”
That chapter helped shape how she connects with people today — not just with empathy, but with deep intention.
Yet, Howard also realized she wanted to create impact at scale. That’s when she found revenue cycle management.
“RCM isn’t just billing,” she explains. “It’s how practices stay open. It’s how they invest in care. It’s how the whole engine runs. When we get it right, patients benefit in ways they may never see, and that’s okay. I see it, and that’s enough.”
Making meaning in the metrics
Now based in Las Vegas with her husband and young son with another child on the way, Howard thrives on solving complex challenges. But what motivates her most is the human outcome.
“I’ve learned to love the intricacies of this work — payer policies, contracts, workflows — because I know what’s on the other side of it,” she says. “Better performance for our clients. More stability for their teams. And more peace of mind for their patients.”
Howard’s approach is hands-on and solutions-oriented. She doesn’t just present options. She listens, learns and co-creates success.
“Every provider group is different,” she says. “What works for one may not work for another. I see my role as being a partner in building the right roadmap for each one, grounded in strategy but guided by empathy.”
A culture of excellence
Rose’s impact is emblematic of a broader culture at Advantum…one that prioritizes innovation, service and doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest path. That culture earned the company a spot on Modern Healthcare’s list of 2025 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.
“Great outcomes start with great people,” says CEO Tammy Taylor. “Rose is the kind of person who shows up with both heart and intellect. She listens deeply, delivers consistently, and leads with quiet strength.”
Legacy in motion
Howard isn’t chasing accolades. She’s building a legacy — one based on relationships, resilience and a refusal to settle for surface-level solutions.
“Business development isn’t just about growth for us,” she says. “It’s about growth for our clients and for the healthcare system as a whole.”
And for Howard, that mission is more than professional. It’s deeply personal.
“I want my work to matter,” she says simply. “Not just for today, but for what healthcare can become.”