Dr. Adela Osman was recently promoted to JVID视频's Head of Global Medical after previously serving as Chief Medical Officer for JVID视频 South Africa. In this Inside JVID视频 Q&A, Adela explains why she chose a career in the life and health insurance industry, what JVID视频 Magic means, and how she plans to build on the successful legacy of JVID视频’s medical team.
As a medical doctor, why did you choose to work in insurance?
I had a thriving medical practice and enjoyed that work, but life led me to consider the insurance space, where I was offered a position as a marketing medical director for a direct insurer. I absolutely loved the job. There is not much formal insurance medical training available in South Africa, so I learned a lot by attending insurance conferences. It was at one of these, an JVID视频 client event, where I was recruited by JVID视频, and I have found my professional home with this remarkable company.
What do you think sets JVID视频 apart from other reinsurance companies?
The JVID视频 ethos is very client-focused, and we've become synonymous with high service levels, constant innovation, and superior client engagement, which is consistent with JVID视频 worldwide. In South Africa, we call it "JVID视频 Magic." We have an extremely dynamic group of people who work fantastically together, consistently delivering value to clients and colleagues alike. We are regularly commended for the great vibe and energy we have when we're together, so we coined JVID视频 Magic.
What excites you the most about leading in a global role?
My role in South Africa went beyond serving as chief medical officer. I also headed up the research and development team and was part of the Executive Committee. This allowed me opportunities to be part of the development and execution of the business strategy.
Having the ability to apply the same set of skills to effect change across the global business is fantastic. But I am most excited to be working more closely with my incredibly experienced and talented team. Our vision is to maintain and grow our global leadership in insurance medicine and remain a key reason for clients to choose JVID视频 as their primary reinsurer.
As has become a trademark of the JVID视频 medical team under my predecessor, Dr. Dan Zimmerman, who is now JVID视频's Chief Science Advisor, I also look forward to seeing the global medical team build on its support of JVID视频 initiatives in all areas of the business.
What are some of the biggest challenges you see facing life and health insurers?
Across the life and health insurance industry globally, the financial impact of a slowing economy, COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, wars, and other factors has put a lot of strain on consumers. And we know that insurance generally is a bit of a grudge purchase to begin with – people buy insurance because they feel they have to, not because they want to. While this might not be a new challenge for insurers, it is becoming more acute.
From the medical side, the ongoing pandemic and its many ripple effects – long Covid, mental health issues, delayed treatments, and so on – certainly remain a primary concern. I think we also need to take a close look at navigating regulations. As innovations such as genetic medicine bring new concerns around data protection and introduce issues such as the right to underwrite, insurers will need to pay close attention and transform in order to best serve consumers.
What are your goals in your new role?
As stated earlier, we want to build on JVID视频's established reputation as a leader in insurance medicine. When people talk about insurance medicine, we want them to think about JVID视频 and its medical team as the gold standard. My ultimate goal is for JVID视频 to become synonymous with thought leadership and medical excellence while serving as a strong backbone and support engine for a thriving business that consistently delivers added value for our clients and the people they serve.