Why We Hired a Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Lowell Fernander recently stepped into a historic new role, reinforcing the Family of Companies’ commitment to team member well-being. In the Family of Companies, we make big bets—on Detroit, on technology, on startups and on people. Now we have made another big bet: on health. That is why Dr. Fernander was named the first Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in Rocket’s history.
This is more than a title. It is a signal that health is not an afterthought. It is foundational to how we care for our people and build a thriving culture. “This role was created to help ensure the well-being of our team members is not just a benefit—it is a strategy,” said Dr. Fernander. “Rocket is not just investing in technology and buildings. It is investing in people.”
A Longtime Rocket Leader Steps into a New Role
Dr. Fernander is no stranger to our family. Before becoming CMO, he led Rock Health Collective—a partnership with Premise Health focused on delivering value-based care to our team members in Detroit, where more than 10,000 of us work within walking distance.
As a physician, he is driven by data and purpose. Some may see a Chief Medical Officer as a luxury. We see it as a smart investment.
“Having a curated care experience actually reduces costs and increases productivity,” Dr. Fernander said. “If team members are healthy and getting care early and easily, they are able to thrive—in their roles and at home.”
Put simply: when our team members and their families are healthy, our businesses and community are healthier too. A strong bottom line starts with strong people. Because numbers and money follow; they do not lead.
Investing in More Than Benefits
Dr. Fernander’s role touches everything from benefit design to vendor performance. It is not about reducing cost. It is about increasing impact.
“We treat benefits like a portfolio,” he said. “And just like any part of the business, it must be innovative, dynamic and built for the long haul.”
But the impact goes far beyond individual team members.
“A lot of our decisions do not just affect the person sitting at the desk—they affect their spouse, their kids, their whole household.”When we support one team member’s health, we are often supporting an entire family. That means more than 10,000 families in the Detroit area benefit from the care we provide—access to primary care, mental health services, physical therapy and more. The ripple effect of that care extends far beyond the walls of our offices.
“If we are really going to serve our community, we have to help people take care of themselves and their families,” said Dr. Fernander. “You cannot have a thriving city without healthy people living in it.”
He works closely with Rock Health Collective and others to create programs that serve the full spectrum of our team members’ needs. This takes our benefits from standard to exceptional.
“This kind of white-glove, concierge-level benefits support is hard to find, even in the biggest companies,” said Dr. Fernander. “Rocket has something special.”
Culture of Care, Backed by Action
We believe in doing well by doing good. That means building environments where our team members and our community can live their best lives. This belief is not just a tagline—it is wired into our DNA. It is our ISMs in action.
Every client. Every time. That includes our team members and their families. Internally, this ISM means we show up with the same care, urgency and excellence we give to our external clients.
“Dan [Gilbert] has always made team member well-being a top priority,” said Dr. Fernander. “And you see that in everything—from benefits to buildings to the commitment he made after his own health challenges to bring the best care to Detroit.”
Dr. Fernander is helping lead the way on that front too—not only advising on benefits, but shaping how we care for one another across the board. He partners with teams across the Family of Companies on wellness campaigns, builds programs that connect mental and physical health, and showing up in the community as a volunteer. He is modeling a culture of care that moves with urgency, humility and action.
Continuous Innovation
Hiring a Chief Medical Officer is not just a first. It is another big bet. It reflects a deep belief that the health of our team members and their families is inseparable from the health of our company and our community.
Dr. Fernander brings not only clinical expertise, but a vision for what is possible when care is integrated, personal and proactive. Together, we are building something few companies have: a culture of care that drives both human and business outcomes.
We are not waiting for someone else to lead. We are leading.
“When we invest in the well-being of our team members, we invest in the long-term success of everything we do,” concluded Dr. Fernander.
