Karoo Health Fortifies Leadership to Accelerate National Cardiac Care Transformation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – February 25, 2026 – Karoo Health Inc., a company positioning itself as a central player in America's shift to value-based cardiac care, today announced two strategic executive appointments aimed at bolstering its technological prowess and accelerating its national expansion. The hiring of Daniel Litvak as Chief Technology Officer and Rick Christiansen as Vice President of Network Development signals a significant move to solidify its market position in a rapidly evolving and competitive healthcare sector.

The appointments come as the U.S. healthcare system grapples with the immense cost and human toll of heart disease, which remains the nation's leading cause of death. Karoo Health operates at the center of this challenge, providing cardiology networks, health systems, and payers with the tools and support to transition from traditional fee-for-service models to value-based care (VBC), where payment is tied to patient outcomes and cost efficiency.

"These appointments come at a pivotal time in Karoo's growth trajectory," said Ian Koons, CEO and co-founder of Karoo Health. "Daniel and Rick add key roles to our team, and we're excited to see them round out our best-in-class leadership and help fulfill Karoo's mission of reimagining cardiac care across the nation."

Bolstering the Tech Engine for Value-Based Care

At the core of Karoo Health's strategy is its proprietary technology platform, and the appointment of Daniel Litvak as CTO is a clear investment in its continued advancement. Litvak, a veteran executive with experience leading technology at venture-backed startups like Epistemix and Fishidy, is tasked with enhancing the company's core platform, known as Kohere.ai.

Launched in 2024, Kohere.ai is designed to be the data-driven backbone of Karoo's model. The AI-enriched platform ingests disparate data from clinical records, insurance claims, and Health Information Exchanges to provide a 360-degree view of a patient's health. Its modules are built to turn that data into concrete action:

• DATA KORE: This module serves as the foundation, integrating diverse data sources through interoperability APIs to create a secure and comprehensive data warehouse essential for timely interventions.
• INSIGHTS: A business intelligence layer that uses machine learning and predictive analytics to identify high-risk patients and provide actionable insights to both clinical teams and payer partners.
• FLOW: An automation and patient-engagement tool designed to manage interventions, track program adherence, and facilitate remote data collection through smart, patient-facing components.

This technology underpins Karoo's "wraparound care model," which integrates dedicated on-site and virtual care teams—including nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists—who work alongside cardiologists. The goal is to manage patient care proactively, from medication adherence to lifestyle coaching, thereby preventing costly and often avoidable emergency situations. Recent proof-of-concept results from Karoo demonstrated the model's potential, showing an 89% patient conversion rate, a 99% digital engagement rate among those enrolled, and a 23% diversion of patients from unnecessary emergency department visits.

"Scaling cardiac value-based care requires systems that are resilient, interoperable, and designed for long-term expansion," said Litvak. "I'm excited to apply my experience building and integrating complex platforms to further strengthen Karoo's technology foundation as the organization grows."

Architecting a National Network for Heart Health

While technology provides the intelligence, a robust provider network provides the reach. The hiring of Rick Christiansen as VP of Network Development directly addresses the critical need for scale. With over 24 years of experience in provider engagement and network strategy at industry giants like Aetna, Highmark, Inova, and Privia, Christiansen is charged with overseeing Karoo's national cardiology network expansion.

In the world of value-based care, network development is more than just contracting with doctors. It involves creating a strategically aligned ecosystem of providers who are equipped and incentivized to work toward shared goals of quality and efficiency. A well-designed network is essential for controlling costs, ensuring patients have access to high-performing specialists, and enabling the seamless care coordination that VBC models demand. Christiansen's role will be to build the dynamic partnerships that allow Karoo to scale its model across diverse regions and health plans, unlocking profitability for its partners while improving patient outcomes.

"Building strong, sustainable provider partnerships requires both strategic alignment and operational clarity," Christiansen stated. "Karoo's model supports cardiology networks and health plans in working toward shared performance goals, and I look forward to helping expand that collaboration nationwide."

Navigating a Competitive and Evolving Landscape

Karoo Health's strategic hires are taking place within a fiercely competitive market. The value-based healthcare services sector is projected to more than double, from $1.63 trillion in 2024 to $3.77 trillion by 2029, and specialty care is a primary focus of this growth. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set an ambitious goal to have all traditional Medicare beneficiaries in a care relationship with accountability for quality and total cost of care by 2030, accelerating the decline of the fee-for-service model.

This market opportunity has attracted a host of competitors. Karoo faces challenges from other VBC enablers like Novocardia, the value-based division of Cardiovascular Associates of America, and Ventricle Health. The field is also seeing new, well-funded entrants, such as Chamber Cardio, which recently launched with a $60 million funding round to build a similar dual-sided cardiology VBC model.

However, Karoo has also engaged in strategic partnerships to bolster its position. Its collaboration with Heartbeat Health, a virtual-first cardiology provider, created a "value-based enterprise" that combines Karoo's technology and care model with Heartbeat's national clinical footprint, aiming to create an end-to-end solution for the market.

As one of the few operational cardiac VBC enablers with published results, Karoo Health is banking on its combination of proven outcomes, advanced technology, and now, fortified leadership, to outmaneuver competitors. The company's expansion continues across the country as it partners with leading cardiology groups and health plans, aiming to provide novel solutions at every touchpoint within the complex and critical field of cardiovascular care.