HARTFORD FIN SVC (HIG)

[califax]

Dr. Robert Pokorski Named Chief Medical Strategist For The Hartford’s Individual Life Insurance Division

Date : 05/04/2010 @ 11:44AM
Source : Business Wire
Stock : The Hartford (HIG)

http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=42653160&symbol=HIG

Dr. Robert Pokorski, an internationally renowned medical underwriting expert, has joined The Hartford’s Individual Life Division as its Chief Medical Strategist. In this newly created position, Dr. Pokorski will educate advisors and consumers about medical advancements that are improving the longevity, quality of life, and insurability of Americans.

“Too many Americans assume they cannot purchase life insurance if they have been treated for a serious illness,” Dr. Pokorski said. “But that assumption is often outdated and simply wrong. For example, many people who have been successfully treated for cancer and heart attacks have the same life expectancy as people their age who have been given a clean bill of health by their doctor.”

Dr. Pokorski has worked full-time in the insurance industry since 1982, specializing in underwriting, mortality research, and product design. He has written more than 130 medical and insurance articles, including papers published in Nature, Cancer, The American Journal of Human Genetics, and The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, and has delivered more than 350 technical presentations to audiences worldwide. He has also served on the editorial boards of the North American Actuarial Journal and the Journal of Insurance Medicine. In 1995, he served as Chairman of the American Council of Life Insurance Medical Section.

He earned an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a doctorate of medicine from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition, Dr. Pokorski is certified as a fellow by the American College of Physicians, the Board of Insurance Medicine, and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

According to Brian Murphy, Executive Vice President of The Hartford’s Individual Life Division, the decision to hire a Chief Medical Strategist stems from the company’s progressive approach to underwriting which resulted in The Hartford becoming the first in the industry to offer life insurance at standard rates to qualified women who have recovered from certain kinds of breast cancer and qualified men who have been successfully treated for prostate cancer. “Dr. Robert Pokorski is a leader in his field and is the perfect person to lead our effort to, whenever and wherever possible, make life insurance available to those who want it.”

In addition to educating advisors and consumers, Dr. Pokorski will analyze morbidity and mortality; work with the current medical staff to provide training seminars and education for underwriters; and support the company’s field sales force in its efforts to convey the advantages of the company’s progressive underwriting capabilities to financial advisors and independent agents.

About The Hartford

Celebrating nearly 200 years of helping its customers achieve what’s ahead, The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) is an insurance and wealth management company. Through its unique focus on customer needs, the company serves businesses and consumers by providing the products and solutions they need to protect their assets and income from risks and manage their wealth and retirement needs. A Fortune 100 company, The Hartford is recognized widely for its service expertise and as one of the world's most ethical companies. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com.

Life insurance products are issued by Hartford Life Insurance Company (New York) and Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company (outside New York), Simsbury, CT. Mailing address for both issuers is P.O. Box 2999, Hartford, CT 06104-2999.

HIG- LIF 11625

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.