Home Find a Health Insurance Plan Find a Health Care Provider For Members For Employers For Health Care Providers
Adolescent immunizations matter. Learn about national immunization recommendations, schedules, and more.

Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Honors 188 Associates in Annual Corporate Recognition Program

Honorees exemplify outstanding commitment to customer service, teamwork, leadership, and excellence

Philadelphia, PA - May 24, 2006 - During an annual awards ceremony yesterday, Independence Blue Cross recognized 188 associates for their outstanding contributions to serving customers and their commitment to the community and the health care industry.

The annual ceremony, held at IBC headquarters in Philadelphia, gave awards in two categories. The “Best of the Best” distinction was bestowed upon one individual and 14 teams whose actions in 2005 exceeded goals and who personally exemplified customer service, teamwork, leadership, and a commitment to excellence. The G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Leadership Award was presented to three associates who demonstrated and promoted superb levels of service to customers, outstanding efforts in the community, and commitment to Independence Blue Cross and the health care industry.

“Our people are our most important asset and the backbone of our business,” said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and CEO.  “Our success with our customers depends upon the daily contributions of our dedicated, talented and committed associates who turn ideas into action together. That's why every year we pause to formally salute the best of the best.”

The Best of the Best award, which was launched in 1997, is the final tier of IBC’s corporate recognition program. Recipients who qualify for the award receive a personalized plaque and attend the celebration luncheon.

The G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Leadership award is a special commendation created in 2005 to continue the legacy of late IBC president and CEO G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Recipients of this prestigious award are selected by the senior management team and receive a glass trophy and an invitation to select a special development opportunity.

The honorees for the second annual G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Leadership Award were:

  • Kiy Rish, business system specialist. Rish was honored yesterday for the high level of service she consistently provides to members, and for sharing her expertise through mentoring and coaching her coworkers. She is actively involved with the community as a member of the Blue Crew, IBC’s corporate volunteer program. She is also  a leader of activities organized by her church.
  • John Butts, manager, Medicare sales and outreach. Butts was commended for his work in educating seniors about Medicare benefits, improving seniors’ health literacy, and increasing outreach to the Medicare population. He is the founding member of the Blue Crew corporate volunteer program’s peer advisory board, and a leader in the company’s activities committee.
  • Jerry Peden, M.D., medical director. Peden was recognized as a key participant in several significant corporate initiatives and an expert on medical policy at the national level through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Medical Policy Advisory Committee. Peden volunteers with Boy Scouts of America, and avidly supports the arts and cultural community.

There were 185 winners of the “Best of the Best” award, including one individual honoree and associates in 14 teams.

Individual honoree:

  • Alex Vilensky for managing the generation and release of renewal packages within the mandated timeframe, although unforeseen challenges seriously threatened the project’s on-time completion.

Team honorees:

  • 2005 NCQA Accreditation Survey Team for achieving the highest level possible on the 2005 Accreditation Survey for three health plans. Members of the team are: Bernadette M. Billetta, Jean M. Boyle, Jennifer P. Braun, Victor Caraballo, M.D., Elizabeth C. Coan, Cynthia A. Cornish, Constance Desvernine, Kathleen T. Donohue, Charles E. Gallagher, Veale E. Gentner, Angela D. Giovonizzi April M. Hanners, Nicole H. Justice, Brian F. Marshall, John F. McAna, Robert M. Merritt, Nicole M. Pilaitis, Andrea Williams
  • Accordant Contracting Implementation Team for successfully completing a complex contract with Accordant, a disease management vendor, and implementing the program within 90 days. Team members are: Gertrude M. Artese, Elaine T. Chonofsky, Andrea DiCosmo, Sandra King, Benita Fair Langsdorf, Laura M. LeGower, Sandra J. McCauley, Sharon V. Mullen, Esther J. Nash, M.D., Rebecca Polss, Melody L. Rogers, Kimberly K. Siejak, Joseph A. Sinni, Jr., Sue Ann E. Sperry, Charles P. Stefanosky, Robert P. Stella, Michael A. Suckle, Virginia L. Sullivan, Thomas Walsh, Daryl M. Wansink, Carolyn M. Young
  • AmeriHealth Advantage Implementation Team for launching AmeriHealth Advantage Prescription Drug Plan in 14 states and enrolling more than 150,000 members. Team members are: Rita A. Belger, William T. Bogucki, John Brna, Harry W. Buscher, Deborah A. Collarin, Kevin Deal, Michael A. DeBelle, Scott Dickler, Dawn Y. Edwards, Franklin D. Foster, Michelle A. Grant, Eric H. Henningsen, Serena Hwang, Zina L. Lewis, Daulat H. Oppusunggu, William Potts, Steven W. Sadowski, Barbara M. Schluckebier, Chantell M. Sell, Therese A. Sheehan, Glenn A. Sibley, Charlita R. Tate, Thomas J. Waters, David S. Weinstein
  • Audit/Compliance SAS 70 Project Team for developing a readiness review that improved internal processes and made the company more efficient. Team members are: Wendy H. Algasi, Dana L. Baer, Nichole Freeman, Deborah A. Fuisz, Jeffrey P. Jenkins, Lori D. Pietropola, Jeff S. Rice, Efram Silberstein
  • Audit/Compliance Planmate Logic Modification Team for recovering more than $12 million for the company. Team members are: Yolanda A. Dark, Robert G. Day, Lucy A. Fernandez, Michael D. Hershock, Kim E. Horne, Lawrence J. Thomas
  • BASIS Development Team for designing and implementing a new benefit query tool for more timely and efficient decision-making, which improved benefits determination and reduced appeals. Team members are: Wendy L. Dooley, Anthony Iuliano, George J. Kailath, Vicson C. Laygo, Paul S. McCann, Shawna Russell-Young, Charles Schneider
  • Book of Business Model Team for enhancing the way IBC analyzes group businesses, thus improving how IBC makes business decisions and develops strategies. Team members are: Timothy Caldwell, George Cooper, Howard C. Gilpin, Jr., Gerald P. Grous, Daniel J. Rachfalski
  • eHR: Management Self Service/Time and Labor for designing and implementing two key online applications that streamlined processes and ensures optimal business results. Team members are: Mary L. Aruffo-Thomas, Paula V. Cavanaugh, John F. Clayton, John T. Dutton, Edward C. Fong, Karen C. Gibbons, Mary D. Gill, Carole A. Heys, Denise Hines-McKeown, Anuradha Nagarajan, Renee I. Hughes, Kathleen A. Jones, Kathleen M. Kelly, Rebecca P. Marcos, Carol A. Medefindt, Walter R. Musselman, Philip G. Petri, Eric E. Ray, Sr., Joseph E. Rosenblatt, Linda J. Shields
  • FEP Claims and Customer Service for being the top-ranked Blue plan in the nation in Federal Employee Program (FEP) operations. Team members are: Joyce L. Alford, Brenda J. Banks, Keisha N. Bates, Anna L. Bowser, Linda R. Garner, Mamie L. Hannibal-Williams, Wayne A. Harris, Florita M. Howard, Mildred Jackson, Gregory R. James, Darlene Jones, Theodora McDuffie, Marilyn J. Prince, Stacey Smith, Ronald E. Snyder, Douglas M. Stokes, Deborah L. Teagle, Cassandra A. Timberlake, Ellen H. Walker, Toby N. Walker, Beverly Williams
  • Medicare Advantage Special Needs Passive Enrollment Project for enrolling 25,000 full benefit dual eligible members into Special Needs plans and ensuring a smooth transition for members moving from Medicaid to Medicare coverage. Team members are: Pamela G. Adelman, Alan G. Adler, M.D., John C. Butts, Michael J. Demand, Jacqueline DeMarco, Diane C. Keifer, Jerilou E. Livingston, Courtney F. McGee, Mark F. Pozzi, Erika R. Reid, DeSharne M. Robinson, Eric J. Rossi, Ronald A. Schwartz, Pauline J. Smizer, Kathy Warren, David S. Weinstein, Tara L. Wyka
  • Navinet Team for developing a new capability in Navinet – a web-based tool for providers to conduct various administrative tasks – that gives providers the ability to submit requests online. Team members are: Julie M. Bailey, Alice Jachimowicz, Lynda L. Kozarski, Diana Lehman, Gina Pastella, Ninette D. Swanson, Kena L. Williams, Tanya R. Williams
  • New Jersey Combined Experience Rating Formula Team for developing and implementing a new underwriting methodology that improves our ability to make rating decisions. Team members are: Rejean Boivin, Joseph M. Cocozza, Veronica Y. Garcia, Jill R. Komp, Charmaine A. Libier, Mark E. Robinson, Norah Valentin
  • TC/26 Modifier Workgroup for implementing a new payment policy, revised fee schedules, and enhanced system logic that resulted in a projected annual savings of $7.3 million. Team members are: Susan M. Bolzonella, Steve J. Brown, M.D., Vivian Cassella, Margaret A. Collins, John J. Costas, Barbara M. Fair, Estella H. Feagins, Florence T. Hagan, Maryann V. Lerza, Regina M. Mallon, Cathy M. McBride-Schmehl, Richard McKnight, Eileen T. Serpiello, Kim A. Tisa, Kadijah L. Turay-Sengova, Bruce D. Weissinger, Patricia A. Zeidman
  • VMWare Implementation Team for significantly reducing the cost of maintenance for all hardware running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Team members are: Robert J. Busillo, Matthew J. Fish, Darin C. Freeman, Michael Garber, Margaret M. Russell

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 65 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross’s Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.