Rosa novo

Rosa Novo is the Administrative Benefits Director for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), where for over 40 years she has been at the forefront of creating strategic health solutions, negotiating contracts, and overseeing the creation and implementation of the District’s wellness program, Well Way. As the third-largest school district in the nation, MDCPS serves a large community, and Mrs. Novo’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the district’s health and wellness initiatives.

Mrs. Novo earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Service Administration from Barry University. She has been a dedicated member of the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value since 2008 and currently serves as the proud Board Chair of this coalition. In addition to her leadership role at the Florida Alliance, Mrs. Novo has served as an Advisory Board Member of the Florida School Retiree Benefits Consortium, a member of the District’s Wellness Committee, and a representative of the largest governmental employer in Miami-Dade on the Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Committee and Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade. She is also a member of Cigna’s Health Disparity Advisory Council and the Vice-Chair of the National Purchaser Leadership Council. Mrs. Novo also contributes her expertise to several advisory councils and consortiums.

As the head of MDCPS’s self-insured healthcare plan, Mrs. Novo is responsible for overseeing the district’s second-largest expenditure. She manages an annual healthcare budget of $447 million, covering healthcare for 43,000 lives, including 32,000 employees, their dependents, and 9,241 retirees with their families.

Mrs. Novo is deeply committed to providing high-quality healthcare services while ensuring the financial stability of the district’s benefits programs. Her approach focuses on improving care delivery, enhancing affordability, and ensuring high-quality outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the needs of the district’s employees. She is a strong advocate for sustainable wellness programs, stress management, and educating employees about the power of small changes for big health improvements.

Mrs. Novo is also passionate about raising awareness for mental health. Her personal goal is to transform the delivery of mental health services to achieve better outcomes at lower costs, all while improving employees’ overall wellbeing.