Mobile COVID-19 testing unit visits Philadelphia

IBC Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake and George Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Latino Connection at the CATE testing event in Philadelphia.
CATE (Community-Accessible Testing & Education), Pennsylvania’s first mobile COVID-19 testing and education unit, arrived in Philadelphia on September 26, where more than 50 people were tested.
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation supports state’s first mobile response unit for COVID-19 testing and education

L to R - Lorina Marshall-Blake, George Fernandez, and Kathy McKenzie
L to R – Lorina Marshall-Blake, George Fernandez, and Kathy McKenzie The Independence Blue Cross Foundation joined the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Latino Connection, and Highmark Blue Shield to announce the state’s first mobile response unit to provide COVID-19 testing and education throughout Pennsylvania, addressing minority and underserved communities. Known as CATE,...
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Meet Independence Blue Cross Foundation nurse intern Cassidy Gallagher

Cross Foundation Nurse Intern at Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) in Chester County
Independence Blue Cross Foundation Nurse Intern Cassidy Gallagher doing a glucose test for a patient. Cassidy Gallagher is a rising senior studying nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. This summer she is an Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) nurse intern at Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) in Chester County. CVIM is a free health care center where volunteers provide health services to low-income people who have no insurance and nowhere else to turn for care....
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation announces more than $3.2M in grants supporting community health centers, addressing the opioid epidemic, and community innovation

Philadelphia, PA — December 16, 2019 — The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) today announced more than $3.2 million in grants through the following Foundation programs: Blue Safety Net, Supporting Treatment and Overdose Prevention (STOP), Community Innovation, and Nurses for Tomorrow. Grants awarded will provide operational support to build health center capacity, assist individuals struggling with opioid use disorder,...
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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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