Highmark Inc. Celebrates 10th Anniversary
December 6, 2006
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayors in five cities across Pennsylvania have declared Wednesday, Dec. 6, as Highmark Appreciation Day. Honorary proclamations have been presented to Highmark from the cities of Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Erie, Johnstown and Allentown.
"This 10th anniversary is a significant milestone for Highmark and for the many communities the company serves," said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. "Highmark continues to be one of the largest employers in the state and also one of our best corporate citizens. What it does annually with its community contributions is very commendable and really a model for other companies to follow."
"Highmark shows the vision, spirit and business acumen which stand out both as a model and inspiration in the always evolving health insurance industry," said Mayor Stephen R. Reed of Harrisburg.
While Highmark was formed in 1996, the company's history goes back to the Great Depression of the 1930s. To ensure the availability of funds to pay for hospital and medical services, respectively, the Hospital Association based in Pittsburgh sponsored the formation of the organization later known as Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Medical Society backed the founding of Pennsylvania Blue Shield. In 1996, Highmark was formed through the consolidation of the two Blue Plans.
"In the first decade since its founding, Highmark has refined its strategies to reflect changes in the marketplace, but our longstanding mission remains the same - providing access to affordable, quality health care coverage and helping people live longer and healthier lives," said Ken Melani, M.D., president and CEO of Highmark Inc. "While we have experienced significant growth in our business during the last 10 years, we're especially proud that many of our community-based programs are having a positive impact on the health and well-being of thousands of Pennsylvanians."
In addition to community support, Highmark continues to be a major employer with 17,500 employees and a key economic contributor. The company's impact on the Commonwealth exceeds $2 billion annually, including $1 billion in the western counties and nearly $500 million in Central Pennsylvania.
About Highmark
As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.6 million people through the company's health care benefits business. Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people's health. The company provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit http://www.highmark.com/ .
