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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What You Should Know About Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Darren and Phyllis Sudman
The Sudmans started Simon’s Heart so that no other parent would lose a child to a detectable and treatable heart condition. The average life of a car is eight years; a refrigerator, seventeen years; and a human life, 76 to 81 years. So, what do all of these things have in common?...
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation announces nearly $2.7M in community grants

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) today announced nearly $2.7 million in grant funding through the Blue Safety Net and Supporting Treatment and Opioid Prevention (STOP) Initiative. The Foundation also introduced Community Innovation Grants, a new funding opportunity that support pilot projects that pursue innovative approaches to health-focused challenges in the community. Through the Blue Safety Net program,...
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The Covenant House Pennsylvania Addresses the Unique Needs of Homeless Youth

Covenant House Pennsylvania
Many young people arrive at the Covenant House Pennsylvania (CHPA) from the streets, where they face the threat of severe weather and muggings and attacks, in addition to dealing with the physical stress on their body related to sleeping outside. These homeless young people have poor access to health care, which leads to delayed diagnoses, increased reliance on emergency departments,...
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Tim Williams, of the Veterans Multi-Service Center, Discusses Whole-health Support for Veterans and Families

Veterans and their families supported by the Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC). As we reflect on the significance of Veterans Day, and the roughly 21 million Americans who have served our country’s defense, it’s critical that as a community we acknowledge and support the continued challenges that many service members face returning to civilian life....
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Why is Safe Medication Disposal Important?

On October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host its 16th National Drug Take Back Day. This safe medication disposal event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications....
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