Coming Full Circle: From Student Scholar to Founding a Nursing Program

Dr. Louise Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Specht
Jennifer Specht, PhD, RN pictured here with the late Dr. Louise Fitzpatrick, former Dean of Villanova University’s College of Nursing, now the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. A defining moment in my career came in 2007 when I was a doctoral student at Villanova University. I received a Nurse Scholar Award from Independence Blue Cross (Independence)....
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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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IBC Foundation receives Philadelphia City Council Resolution

Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake accepted a resolution on November 21 presented by Philadelphia City Council at City Hall. The resolution, sponsored by Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez, commends the Foundation for advancing solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of Southeastern Pennsylvania. It also recognizes the contributions of Marshall-Blake to the Foundation’s success. The full resolution may be viewed here....
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IBC Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake honored for philanthropy and community service

Pictured from left to right: Christopher Jungers, CAP, CFRE – President, Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter; Lorina Marshall-Blake – President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation; and Gregory L. DeShields, CHO, CHE – Executive Director at PHL Diversity.  Photo courtesy of Marikate Venuto. Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake was honored by two organizations recently for her commitment to philanthropy and community service....
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IBC Foundation participates in American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Philadelphia

Conference attendee listens to the Someone You Know mobile kiosk. The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) was deeply involved in the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting, held in Philadelphia on Nov. 2-6. Attended by nearly 13,000 health professionals, the APHA Annual Meeting is one of the most important conferences in the field of public health....
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Foundation President keynotes Temple University Women’s Summit

Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake gave the keynote address for the Temple University Women of Color Summit on Friday, October 25. The summit’s theme was “Ten Years of Temple University Women of Color Empowering Women: Having Our Say!” The goal of Temple University Women of Color is to engage, enrich, and broaden an understanding and awareness of diversity through shared experiences as women,...
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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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National Recovery Month: Celebrating Recovery Without Adding to the Stigma of Addiction

Brooke speaking about harm reduction at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building for Recovery Advocacy Day 2018.
Brooke Feldman, speaking about harm reduction at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building for Recovery Advocacy Day 2018. This month marks the 30th year of National Recovery Month, a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)-sponsored celebration of the millions of Americans living in long-term recovery. All across the country, people in recovery — along with their families,...
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation celebrates summer nurse interns

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) hosted a recognition event on August 2 to conclude its 15th annual nursing internship program. This year, 25 undergraduate nursing students from eight schools across the region participated in the internship. They spent 10 weeks this summer working at Independence Blue Cross or at a community health center supported by the Foundation’s Blue Safety Net grant program....
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