Recognizing the extraordinary contributions of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and its President Lorina Marshall-Blake.

WHEREAS, The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) was founded in 2011 as a private, charitable corporate foundation with a mission to lead sustainable solutions that improve the health and well-being of the community; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation expands upon the more than 80-year commitment of Independence Blue Cross to improve the health and wellbeing of our neighbors in Southeastern Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation focuses on access to care, advancing the healthcare workforce, and addressing national health issues; and

WHEREAS, Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded more than $40 million dollars in grants to community-based nonprofit organizations, privately funded health centers, and accredited nursing programs serving more than 300,000 residents in Southeastern Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation is committed to being a thought leader addressing the greatest challenges facing our health care system, producing award-winning publications to highlight successful strategies for improving community health and commissioning research to help inform policies and practices related to community health; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation works together with all stakeholders across sectors to address the needs of our community; and

WHEREAS, President Lorina Marshall-Blake has contributed significantly to the Foundation’s success and the overall health of the Philadelphia community. While overseeing grant-making work for the $90 million Foundation, Marshall-Blake steered the Foundation to be a collaborator, innovator, convener of diverse organizations, and thought leader in addressing emerging health needs in Southeastern Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, President Lorina Marshall-Blake has invested in continuing her legacy of philanthropy and social impact by offering mentorship to future leaders in healthcare reform and serving her community in a variety of capacities. She is an associate minister, serves on 25 non-profit boards and committees, and has been recognized for her leadership and community service by numerous organizations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby celebrate and acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation under the leadership of the esteemed President Lorina Marshall-Blake.

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