Three years ago Clark Lagemann was standing in America’s top hospitals as an employee of a large corporation watching many people undergo medical procedures due to preventable conditions.
“It was not what I felt like I was meant to do,” Lagemann said. “I wanted to help motivate people to take steps toward good health early on.”
That’s why Lagemann co-founded MedPro Wellness. The New Jersey startup is an education and motivation wellness company with a focus on results. The goal of the company is to give individuals the support they need to lead a healthy lifestyle, and hopefully, cut back the instances of preventable illnesses. With 75 percent of healthcare spending allocated to the treatment of chronic illnesses, MedPro partners with corporations, municipalities, small businesses and healthcare providers to promote healthy lifestyles that will in turn reduce unnecessary healthcare costs within these communities.
MedPro program participants begin by completing a 25-question survey that identifies health risks. A wellness plan is then specifically tailored for the individual from information synthesized in the survey. Lagemann said that whether you are a 25-year-old male with early onset of diabetes or a 40-year-old woman with cancer, MedPro can generate over a million different combinations of programs to address any health need. For high-risk individuals, MedPro provides intensive nurse coaching. Zumba and stress management classes, staff support and a mobile fitness app are available for members having both standard health risks or for those managing chronic conditions.
Lagemann said the wellness plan empowers each member to be accountable for his or her own health.
Almost a year ago, MedPro started working with the municipality of Newark. The company now helps motivate Newark’s firefighters, police officers and other government employees to stay fit. However, at the outset of the program the city of Newark presented some unforeseen challenges.
Lagemann explained that many Newarkers don’t have access to computers. The company had to find a way to reach this community, so they adapted their tech based plan to simple printed resources and offered more face-to-face support. The company quickly gained the appreciation of the community through its readiness to adapt.
“Eight months ago they hesitated in meeting us and didn’t see the value,” Lagemann said. Today, however, membership numbers are on rise and the employees are really enjoying the program. Lagemann attributes a good deal of their success to their business model only charging clients based on actual participation in the program. He noted that competitors charge clients regardless of signups.
With the Newark program successfully underway, Lagemann said expansion is a constant discussion at MedPro. He is foreseeing an emerging opportunity out of state in Chicago. For now he enjoys the gratification of steering the largest city in New Jersey toward healthy living, an opportunity that wouldn’t have been possible without Lagemann first leaping into the world of entrepreneurship.
Photo: The MedPro Wellness Team with Personnel Director Kecia Daniels from The City of Newark; Clark Lagemann (2nd from left)
