History of Kersh Risk Management, Human Factor Analytics, and Kairos Research Partners
Richard Kersh founded Kersh Risk Management (aka Kersh Wellness Management, Inc.) in 1988.
Kersh Risk Management was one of the first companies to link medical and pharmacy claims data with biometric/lab data in order to analyze the financial efficacy of corporate wellness programs. It was also one of the first organizations to utilize an accelerometer to assess and “prescribe” exercise as a means of managing population health. Kersh Risk Management designed and implemented wellness programs and program components for Union Pacific Railroad, Anheuser Busch Companies, Bemis Corporations, and various other Fortune 500 Corporations.
In 2008/2009, Richard formed Human Factor Analytics.
Richard and the HFA team designed proprietary software to intake and analyze medical and pharmacy claims data, biometric data, health risk appraisal data. Whereas some analytics tools function only as “transactional” assessments of cost, the HFA platform was designed to provide a true scientific and clinical analysis of the data in order to identify and implement population health management strategies for employers. Unique algorithms were developed to arrange and analyze health care data.
In 2019, Richard created Kairos Research Partners
In 2019, Richard created Kairos Research Partners, which utilizes the industry-tested algorithms and scientific framework from Human Factor Analytics, adapted into a new, enhanced platform that provides responsive, graphical analysis and representation of data.
Partnership with M.R.S. Health
Bios of team members
Richard Kersh, Ph.D. Exercise Phys.
President and Chief Technology Officer, Member of the Board
Richard Kersh has over 30 years of wellness and IT experience. He was the founder and owner of Kersh Wellness, Human Factor Analytics and Kairos Research Partners. Richard provided services to numerous self-funded entities including Union Pacific, Tyson, Anheuser Busch, Harley Davidson and the states of Arkansas and Florida. He has a M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Arkansas.
Town Travis
Director of Analytics
Town Travis has over 12 years of experience in population health and health care analytics. He has a MS from Northwestern University and a BA from Arkansas Tech University.
Dhruv Gupta
Ph.D.
Dhruv Gupta has over 30 years of experience in the IT area having worked for global corporations including National Australia Bank, IMI Systems and IBM. Dr. Gupta holds a Doctorate from IIT Delhi and a Bachelor’s degree from IIT Kanpur.
John Karazim, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Co-Chairman of Scientific Advisory Board
John Karazim, MD developed some of the early protocols for medical exercise in spine and orthopedics. He has managed treatment of over 150,000 patients and over 1,500,000 patient visits as Medical Director of Pure Health Back and Dynamic Rehabilitation in Southeast Michigan. Dr. Karazim is a clinical specialty content expert on back pain for Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Oktawia DeYoung
PharmD, HCAFA
Octawia DeYoung serves as Pharmacy Specialist in the Evidence-Based Prescription Drug Program (EBRx) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and holds a faculty appointment as adjunct Assistant Professor in UAMS College of Pharmacy.
Bob Schlinkman
Senior Vice President, Population Health
Bob Schlinkman has 42 years of experience in sales and sales management within the medical rehabilitation market for companies including DBC, Cybex and Hydra-Fitness. Bob received a bachelors and masters in Exercise Science from Texas Tech University.