Lumicera Taps Internal Architect Ben Heiser as CEO Amidst Record Growth

MADISON, Wis. – January 07, 2026 – Lumicera Health Services, a specialty pharmacy that has rapidly ascended into the top tier of national providers, has named Ben Heiser, PharmD, as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment solidifies leadership at a pivotal moment for the company, which is navigating a period of unprecedented expansion, having managed over $3 billion in specialty pharmaceuticals and surpassed two million patient shipments in 2025.

Heiser, a veteran of the company for nearly a decade, steps into the top role to steer Lumicera through its next phase of growth. His promotion from General Manager follows a tenure marked by significant operational scaling and comes as the specialty pharmacy sector grapples with explosive costs, complex new therapies, and intense regulatory pressure. He will report to David Fields, CEO of parent company Navitus Health Solutions.

An Architect's Ascent from Pharmacist to CEO

Ben Heiser’s career at Lumicera is a case study in internal advancement and operational leadership. Joining in 2015 as a staff pharmacist at the company's Madison headquarters, he quickly distinguished himself. By 2017, he was the pharmacist-in-charge, and his trajectory continued upward, reflecting a deep understanding of both clinical practice and the logistical complexities of the specialty pharmacy business.

His promotion to Vice President of Pharmacy Operations & Business Development in 2022 placed him at the helm of the company's aggressive expansion. Under his operational guidance, Lumicera grew from a single distribution location into a national network of eight facilities, servicing patients across the United States and in Puerto Rico. He spearheaded the installation of advanced automation technology to manage surging demand and oversaw the development of sophisticated logistics and white-labeled pharmacy services that have become a cornerstone of Lumicera's business model.

“Throughout his time with the company, Ben has demonstrated an entrepreneurial mindset that has shaped Lumicera’s trajectory,” said David Fields, CEO of Navitus Health Solutions. “Lumicera is uniquely positioned to deliver value-added services to stakeholders, including plan sponsors, patients and partner organizations. I am confident Ben is the right leader for the next phase of growth for our enterprise.”

Heiser’s background, which includes a Doctorate of Pharmacy, an MBA, and certifications as a Specialty Pharmacist and a Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt, equipped him to build the infrastructure necessary for this growth while maintaining a focus on patient outcomes.

Excelling in a High-Stakes Market

Lumicera’s expansion is set against the backdrop of a volatile and rapidly evolving specialty drug market. Specialty medications, which treat complex and chronic conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, now account for over half of all drug spending in the United States. This growth is fueled by a pipeline of innovative but costly cell and gene therapies that challenge traditional payment models.

In this high-stakes environment, specialty pharmacies are critical intermediaries, but they face immense pressure to control costs while providing the high-touch clinical support these complex medications require. Lumicera has distinguished itself by pairing rapid growth with exceptional patient service. The company reports a 98% patient satisfaction score and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85.5. This figure is significant, placing Lumicera well above the specialty pharmacy industry average of 78.6 and making it competitive with the sector's top-performing academic and health-system pharmacies. An NPS score, which measures customer loyalty, above 70 is widely considered outstanding.

This success in patient care validates the company's core philosophy. “I’m so proud of what the Lumicera team has accomplished,” said Heiser. “We have increased transparency and value in the specialty pharmacy industry while keeping patient needs as our top priority. Growing with the organization over the last ten years, I am energized to deliver meaningful value for patients and partners and am excited to lead the next phase of our expansion in the marketplace.”

The Strategic Power of a Retail Giant

Perhaps the most significant factor in Lumicera’s strategy is its unique corporate structure. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navitus Health Solutions, a pioneering transparent Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Navitus itself is co-owned by the non-profit health system SSM Health and, notably, retail behemoth Costco Wholesale Corporation.

This connection to Costco is more than a line on an organizational chart; it is a core strategic partnership. Lumicera provides the accredited, back-end specialty pharmacy operations for Costco Pharmacy's ship-to-home model. This allows Costco to leverage its powerful brand reputation for value and low prices in the notoriously opaque and expensive specialty drug market, while Lumicera handles the complex logistics, clinical management, and accreditations required.

The partnership is a key part of Costco’s broader push into healthcare, which also includes offering discounted virtual primary care and mental health services to its members. It aligns perfectly with the mission of Navitus, which was founded on a model of passing 100% of drug rebates and discounts to its clients. Lumicera extends this ethos with a “cost-plus pricing” model, aiming to bring transparency and affordability to the most expensive corner of the pharmaceutical market.

With Heiser at the helm, Lumicera is poised to further leverage this powerful backing. His promotion signals a commitment to the strategy that has fueled its historic growth: combining deep operational expertise with a transparent business model and the strategic muscle of one of the world's largest retailers. As the specialty market continues its upward trajectory in both innovation and cost, Heiser is now tasked with proving that this unique model can not only scale but also fundamentally reshape value and access for patients with the most critical needs.