Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. Provides Largest Corporate Gift in Science Museum of Virginia's History

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Science Museum of Virginia and Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL, Inc.) jointly announced today the largest corporate gift in the Museum's history, marking the beginning of a key transformation. The $2.2 million gift from HDL, Inc., a rapidly growing advanced testing laboratory based in Richmond, will fund the development of a major new exhibit gallery called, Improving Grounds.

HDL, Inc. and the Science Museum first recognized a common ground when Governor McDonnell awarded HDL, Inc. with the Governor's Award for Science Innovation in January 2011. In presenting the award, Governor McDonnell said, "I was honored to recognize Virginia's top science talents for 2011.  HDL, Inc. has designed a service program to help patients better understand and manage chronic diseases. Their creativity, contributions, and dedication will make a better Virginia and a better America for all of us."

Health Diagnostic Laboratory's Improving Grounds is the first project of a recently completed Exhibit Master Plan that serves as the blueprint for dynamic new exhibit projects for the coming years. "The new exhibit sponsored by Health Diagnostic Laboratory will showcase the science of physical and mental self-improvement on a competitive scale," said Tonya Mallory, co-founder, president, and CEO of HDL, Inc.

The Science Museum will design the new exhibit to highlight behavior and choices cast in the light of optimism and empowerment, while lifespan issues will be explored against a backdrop of shared human experience. "Science and innovation are key to the advanced testing and wellness initiatives offered by Health Diagnostic Laboratory," said Russ Warnick, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at HDL, Inc. "Our lab focuses on saving lives through evidenced-based medicine and early intervention, so it's fitting that we partner with the Science Museum to emphasize ways in which we can all measure – and improve – our health at any age."

HDL, Inc., which serves as a Premier Partner of the Museum, will also direct a portion of its gift to support the creation of an original, interactive media piece and accompanying curriculum for Virginia schools that will encourage wellness and self-improvement.

"The Science Museum has a bold new vision that was heavily influenced by great companies like HDL, Inc. They are motivating us to work even harder to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and people who make our lives better through scientific innovation," Richard C. Conti, Chief Wonder Officer of the Science Museum of Virginia.

About Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc.

Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (HDL, Inc.), a CAP accredited leader in health management, offers a comprehensive test menu of risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular and related diseases. Our systematic approach identifies factors contributing to disease and provides a basis for effective treatment, allowing physicians to more effectively manage patients.  As an added value, patients receive a personalized overview of their risk factors along with intensive counseling from expert Health Coaches at no additional cost, improving compliance and enhancing satisfaction.

About The Science Museum of Virginia

Our mission: Inspiring Virginians to enrich their lives through science. Since its founding by the Virginia General Assembly in 1970, the Science Museum of Virginia has become the premier center for hands-on science education in Virginia. The Science Museum has permanent exhibitions on health, energy and natural science and includes hundreds of interactive exhibits, fascinating artifacts, live animals, a theater company and cutting edge technology. The IMAX®DOME creates the ultimate "you are there" experience with the largest film screen in Virginia wrapped around you. The Science Museum also features visiting exhibitions, educational programming, overnight adventures, lectures, demonstrations, and summer camps.

SOURCE HDL, Inc.