Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Announces Annual Justin F. Kimball Patient Protection Award

Dr. Vivian Ho named as first recipient of new award honoring innovative healthcare professionals who protect the public health of their community

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) honored Dr. Vivian Ho last night with the inaugural Justin F. Kimball Patient Protection Award. The new award recognizes people with the same spirit and commitment to their community's health as Blue Cross' founding father Justin F. Kimball.

Kimball, originally an educator, developed a number of innovations that improved the quality of life for students and teachers during his time as superintendent of Dallas public schools. In 1929, when Kimball moved to Baylor University Hospital to help restore the institution to financial health, he designed an individual hospital prepayment plan, expanding on the success of a similar program he started in the school system. This idea of "group hospitalization" eventually expanded to become the national system of Blue Cross and Blue Shield and into the insurance plans recognizable today.

"This award seeks to recognize and raise awareness around health care professionals who have an innate drive to provide better access to high-quality, affordable health care for patients," said Dr. Dan McCoy, president, BCBSTX. "We are thrilled to announce Dr. Vivian Ho as the inaugural award winner."

Dr. Ho, a nationally-renowned health care researcher and economist, continues that innovative spirit. Currently the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice University, Dr. Ho's research examines the effects of economic incentives and regulations on the quality and costs of health care and is widely published in research journals.

"Dr. Ho's contributions to public health and her role in protecting Texans follows Justin Kimball's spirit of innovation and commitment to protecting her community," McCoy continued.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer, and fourth largest health insurer overall.  Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX
 

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans.

 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.