Industry Leading Best Practices, Networking and Professional Development
The Ohio West Safety Council is sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and Eastman & Smith, Ltd. Attorneys at Law and is open to all area businesses, is an initiative of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce designed to increase safety awareness, and to give businesses a potential cost savings benefit on their Workers’ Compensation rates. Held in collaboration with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the program aims to provide a forum for safety and health information, education and networking in local communities. Program topics must be classified under occupational safety & health, risk management, workers’ compensation, BWC services, rehabilitation or environmental issues.
The Ohio West Safety Council currently meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 8:00am-9:30am at Vantage Career Center with breakfast included. Each meeting will feature a update from the Ohio BWC, our sponsor Eastman & Smith, Ltd. Attorney's At Law, followed by our featured speaker. A steering committee made up of safety professionals from various local employers and a representative from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will guide the program development.
Upcoming Meetings:
Wednesday May14, 2025:
Dr. Gavin Gardner is a licensed chiropractor in both Ohio and Indiana. His journey into chiropractic care began in Van Wert, Ohio, where he received my first chiropractic adjustment in eighth grade. From that moment, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in chiropractic medicine.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Saint Francis, where he also played collegiate football as a kicker. During his time as a student-athlete, he was introduced to dry needling, a technique that ultimately saved his football career and ignited a deep interest in advanced therapeutic modalities.
Following my undergraduate studies, he continued his education at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida. While completing his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, he dedicated additional time to exploring complementary healing methods, including dry needling and acupuncture. Although he is trained in both techniques, his primary passion lies in dry needling due to its profound impact on patient outcomes and its ability to address musculoskeletal dysfunction effectively.
He is committed to providing holistic, patient-centered care that not only alleviates immediate discomfort but also supports long-term health and wellness. His goal is to empower patients to take control of their well-being through evidence-based treatments and personalized care plans.
Membership includes:
- A scheduled monthly safety meeting
- Breakfast for up to two attendees
- Take-Away Safety Information from each meeting
- Updates on the latest BWC programs
- Opportunity to speak with a BWC regional representative at each meeting
- Opportunity to network with other local companies
- Earn a 3% discount on your workers compensation insurance by attending 10 safety council meetings
For additional information about the Ohio West Safety Council or to register for the upcoming Safety Council program, please see the links located above, email the chamber at chamber@vanwertchamber.com or call us at (419) 238-4390.