**
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: D GX) and the New York Giants are teaming up to find new ways to use laboratory diagnostic information services to improve the health and performance of athletes of all ages and abilities through a new collaboration.Today's edition of The Mailbag on Giants.com.**
The partnership was announced today at the Giants' headquarters and training facility at the MetLife Sports Complex. The Giants headquarters and training facility is newly renamed as the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information services, becomes a Proud Partner in Health with the New York Giants.
 |
Each year, a select group of Giants players will be given the opportunity to volunteer to work with Quest in developing these models and tests.
"For our league and for this franchise, nothing is more important than player health and safety," said Giants president John Mara. "We have made tremendous advancement in this area in recent years. We see our relationship with Quest as the next step in the process of achieving a healthier and safer game during our players' careers and after their playing days."
"The Giants partnership will allow us to help athletes everywhere improve their health and performance," said Quest Diagnostics president and CEO Steve Rusckowski. "This new relationship is yet another example of how we are delivering on our vision to empower better health through diagnostic insights."
In addition to working directly with a select group of players every season, Quest Diagnostics will provide lab services to the Giants. Quest's leading scientists and physicians, led by Jon Cohen, M.D., Quest's chief medical officer and senior vice president, will collaborate with Giants senior vice president of medical services Ronnie Barnes, who has been with the organization for 38 years and is the longest tenured certified athletic trainer in the NFL. Barnes and the Giants' team of health care professionals will work with Dr. Cohen and his staff to uncover sports diagnostics insights for both the Giants as well as amateur and recreational athletes.
The two organizations will also co-participate in educational events, including the annual "NBC 4 New York & NY Giants Health and Fitness Expo" to promote a healthier world by highlighting the role of diagnostic testing and information in helping people to stay healthy and fit. Additional terms were not disclosed.
Added Giants chairman Steve Tisch, "In many ways, this partnership with Quest is a natural. It is a proud, New Jersey-based company with a strong national presence, and this partnership puts the focus on athletics where it belongs: advancing a healthy lifestyle not just for our players but for everybody."
The organizations also share a deep commitment to New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area as a whole. With its corporate headquarters, nearly 3,000 local employees and more than four-decade history in New Jersey, Quest provides substantial economic impact and benefit to the Garden State.
"Today we are formalizing a relationship that in reality has existed for 30 years," said Barnes. "We have utilized Quest's services as part of our treatment and care for our players. We look forward to developing and implementing practical advancements in assessing training and performance for all athletes."
"The Giants have shown that the health of their players, both past and present, is a top priority," said Dr. Cohen of Quest. "We are excited to work with the Giants' veteran athletic trainer Ronnie Barnes and his staff to create diagnostic insights and solutions that will optimize training, improve performance and reduce the risk of injury for athletes everywhere."
INTERVIEWS FROM ANNOUNCEMENTWATCH: Giants President John MaraWATCH: Giants SVP of Medical Services Ronnie Barnes
WATCH: Quest Diagnostics CEO Steve Rusckowski
WATCH: Giants Coach Tom Coughlin
WATCH: Quest Diagnostics SVP Dr. Jon Cohen
