Do Your Part on National Drug Take Back Day: Practice Safe Medication Disposal

On October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host its 18th National Drug Take Back Day. This safe medication disposal event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. The event also educates the general public about the potential for misuse of medications....
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation and Governor Wolf discuss opioid crisis

Foundation’s Someone You Know public health awareness campaign highlights the stigma of addiction

Philadelphia, PA — September 25, 2019 —  In recognition of National Recovery Month, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation will join Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in the State Capitol Rotunda to discuss the opioid crisis and to showcase Someone You Know, an Independence Blue Cross Foundation public health awareness campaign to reduce the stigma of opioid addiction....
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation announces nearly $1.6 million in grants

Grants will help support local nurses, address regional health challenges, and assist those fighting opioid use disorder   Philadelphia, PA — August 6, 2019 — The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) announced nearly $1.6 million in funding to support three programs: Nurses for Tomorrow, Supporting Treatment and Opioid Prevention (STOP) Initiative, and Community Innovation. Nurses for Tomorrow Twenty nursing schools will receive nearly $1.2 million in scholarship funding for undergraduate,...
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation announces collaboration to improve care for survivors of an opioid overdose in Bucks County

Pictured left to right:  Stephen Fera, SVP, Independence Blue Cross, Heather Major, Director IBC Foundation programs, Ashely E. (BCARES participant), Secretary Jennifer Smith, PA Dept. of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Lorina Marshall-Blake, President, IBC Foundation, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) Results of an Independence Blue Cross Foundation study evaluating warm hand-offs provides basis for $650,000 additional funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to help overdose survivors get treatment  Philadelphia,...
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Independence associate Patrick Flynn honored by Caron Treatment Centers

Patrick Flynn (left) pictured here with Casey Duffy, past chair, Caron Treatment Centers’ Board of Trustees.
Patrick Flynn (left) pictured here with Casey Duffy, past chair, Caron Treatment Centers’ Board of Trustees. Independence Government Affairs Specialist Patrick Flynn received the Unsung Hero award at Caron Treatment Center’s Annual Greater Philadelphia Community Service Awards Breakfast on June 7 held in Philadelphia. The award pays tribute to individuals, organizations, and institutions that have made an outstanding contribution in the ongoing battle against alcohol and drug addiction in the community....
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Breaking the Stigma of Addiction: An Independence Associate Shares His Story of Recovery

Patrick Flynn listening to the personal story of someone affected by the opioid crisis at a Someone You Know kiosk
Patrick Flynn listening to the personal story of someone affected by the opioid crisis at a Someone You Know kiosk In 2018, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation launched Someone You Know, a national campaign to reduce the stigma associated with opioid use disorder. The campaign shares the personal stories of those affected by the opioid crisis....
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation announces expansion of ‘Someone You Know’ awareness campaign on the stigma of opioid misuse

Philadelphia, PA — April 4, 2019 — At an event held at its Philadelphia headquarters, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) announced the expansion of “Someone You Know,” a grassroots and public health awareness campaign that is reducing the stigma of opioid addiction, inspiring hope, and empowering others to seek help and treatment. Ten new diverse stories will be added to the campaign,...
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IBC Foundation teams with Walgreens to reduce prescription drug abuse through expanded safe medication disposal

Stephen P. Fera and Governor Tom Wolf
Stephen P. Fera, of Independence Blue Cross, with Governor Tom Wolf. Stephen P. Fera, senior vice president of Public Affairs for Independence Blue Cross, joined Governor Tom Wolf and representatives from Walgreens to highlight safe medication disposal kiosks throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. These kiosks allow individuals to safely and conveniently dispose of unwanted prescriptions,...
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation joins DDAP for regional warm hand-off summits

Left to right: Heather Major, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Dr Rachel, Levine, Secretary, PA Department of Health, Ellen DiDomenico, Deputy Secretary, PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
Left to right: Heather Major, Independence Blue Cross Foundation; Dr Rachel Levine, Secretary, PA Department of Health; Ellen DiDomenico, Deputy Secretary, PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) joined the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health on March 20 and 21 for two summits addressing emergency room-based warm handoff protocols — an evidence-based practice ensuring overdose survivors receive immediate referrals to treatment....
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IBC Foundation hosts Caron nursing workshops for substance abuse

A photo of Dr. Michael McCormick of Caron Treatment Centers, Lorina Marshall-Blake of the IBC Foundation,  Sean Lavelle of Caron Treatment Centers, and Heather Major of the BC Foundation programs.
From left to right: Dr. Michael McCormick, staff physician, Caron Treatment Centers, Lorina Marshall-Blake, president, IBC Foundation,  Sean Lavelle, regional vice president for Caron Treatment Centers, and Heather Major, manager IBC Foundation programs. The Independence Blue Cross Foundation hosted two Caron Treatment Centers workshops on February 8 and February 28 to train nurses and health care professionals on Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)....
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