Oswald Companies Announces Strategic Partnership With Cleveland HeartLab
Offers next generation of employee biometric screening to clients through innovation initiative
CLEVELAND – July 10, 2013 – Oswald Companies, one of the largest independently owned insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the U.S., is proud to offer its clients the next generation of health screenings through a strategic partnership with Cleveland HeartLab, Inc.
Cleveland HeartLab, a spin-off from the Cleveland Clinic founded in 2009, offers a group of simple, inexpensive blood tests designed to assess “true” cardiovascular risk through Inflammation Testing (also known as IT).
About 50 percent of heart attacks and strokes occur in people with “normal” cholesterol, leaving many patients without a complete assessment of their cardiovascular risk. Inflammation Testing goes beyond basic risk identification markers, such as blood pressure and standard cholesterol testing, to identify what actually causes heart attack or stroke – inflammation – or specifically, vulnerable plaque related to increased inflammation.
This offering represents Oswald’s ongoing commitment to bring unique risk control services to employers. It will help prevent occupational and non-occupational claims, while increasing productivity, health and vitality.
“One of the hallmarks of Oswald’s success over the years is our forward focus on trends, opportunities, and innovations that will make a meaningful difference for our clients,” says Neil Quinn, Oswald’s Director of Innovation and Strategic Risk Management. “Our team of multidisciplinary experts keeps us ahead of the market by identifying unique technologies, products, and services that reduce risk, improve employees’ quality of life, and control costs for employers.”
Quinn adds, “We recognized early that the Cleveland HeartLab’s proprietary Inflammation Testing represented the next generation of employee biometric screening. Combined with traditional blood analysis, this testing saves lives and creates a sense of urgency for employees to take action to reduce personal risk.”
“From a practical perspective, near-term, undetected employee health risks represent a very real threat of business interruption and succession planning derailment for our clients. This screening should be a no-brainer.”
Cleveland HeartLab’s proprietary inflammation panel, in addition to some of the standard testing used in the corporate wellness setting, can offer early detection and prompt employees to take action in avoiding either a stroke or heart attack.
“Cleveland HeartLab is very excited to be working with Oswald to help their clients with their corporate wellness initiatives,” said Brad Seybert, Cleveland HeartLab Vice President of Strategic Sales. “Oswald is known as a leader in their industry, and Cleveland HeartLab is the leader in the inflammation testing market. Together we hope to help employees and employers identify those at risk.”
Oswald clients can get the testing done during an onsite health screening as part of a customized program.
About Oswald Companies
Founded in 1893, Cleveland-based and employee-owned, Oswald is one of the nation’s largest independent insurance brokerage firms. As a proud member of Assurex Global, the world’s largest association of privately held insurance brokers, our risk management professionals can service and support the needs of our clients worldwide. Learn more at www.oswaldcompanies.com.
About Cleveland HeartLab
Cleveland HeartLab, Inc. is a clinical reference laboratory dedicated to chronic disease prevention. Our novel biomarker technologies and educational support enable employers and employees together to identify disease, act to treat the disease and prevent the progession of disease. Learn more at www.clevelandheartlab.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lisa Szabo
Cleveland HeartLab
216-426-6081
lszabo@clevelandheartlab.com
Aaron Witwer
Oswald Health Management Consultant
216-658-5216
awitwer@oswaldcompanies.com