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75 years of health care access
Watch Welcome VideoSince 1946, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has continuously worked with patients and providers to offer South Carolinians secure, cost-efficient health care coverage. In honor of our 75th anniversary, this interactive timeline will take you on a journey through our company’s long and storied history. Along the way, you will learn the purpose, follow the progress and meet the people that made — and continue to make — BlueCross the great company we know it to be. Whether you are a new hire, an “old timer” or anywhere in between, we thank you for all you do and hope you enjoy the journey! Scroll down to get started.
The Heart of It All
Over the years, BlueCross has successfully created an environment where employees feel valued and supported in many ways, such as leadership development programs and wellness initiatives. In turn, they are inspired and empowered to give back to their communities. Backed by BlueCross, employees have donated hundreds of volunteer hours and millions of dollars to those most in need. Visit this section to find out more about BlueCross’ compassionate corporate culture.
The Heart of It All
BlueCross is lauded for its support of employees with disabilities
BlueCross has always strived to be inclusive of employees with disabilities. In 1977, John Van Deusen was named Handicapped Employee of the Year by the Columbia Mayor’s Committee.
In later years, the Mayor’s Committee would recognize BlueCross as the 2002 Disabled Employer of the Year and employee Heather Lynn McKenzie as Disabled Employee of the Year.
Other organizations would also highlight the company for its inclusion of employees with disabilities. In 2010, the South Carolina Chapter of the National Federation for the Blind named BlueCross Employer of the Year. In 2014, the company received the Business Partnership of the Year award from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department and the Distinguished Service Award from the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities.
1977
The Heart of It All
BlueCross continues support of local and regional American Red Cross efforts
BlueCross was instrumental in supporting the Central Midlands Chapter’s new building on Bull Street in Columbia. This, along with our support of the Bloodmobile program, made it easier for South Carolinians to donate blood.
And our employees continue to step up in a big way with blood donations. In recent years BlueCross employees have donated more than 5,716 pints of blood at on-site bloodmobiles and blood drives.
1980
The Heart of It All
BlueCross and its employees support relief efforts following Hurricane Floyd
Since then, the company and its employees have been exceptionally generous in supporting local, national and international communities impacted by natural disasters. They have donated nearly $1 million toward South Carolina disaster relief, more than $1.8 million toward national disaster relief and more than $900,000 toward international crisis relief.
1999
The Heart of It All
BlueCross recognized as a family-friendly workplace
The company received the award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the Office of the Governor.
It went on to receive the Excellence in Workplace Diversity award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and 2021. In 2009, BlueCross was named one of the five Best Midlands Companies for Working Moms by the March of Dimes®.
2003
The Heart of It All
BlueCross employees pledge more than $1 million during United Way campaign
BlueCross was the first company in South Carolina to hit this milestone. Just seven years later, employees would double that amount, hitting the $2 million mark with its 2011 campaign.
2004
The Heart of It All
Hurricane Katrina devastates the Gulf Coast; BlueCross and its employees respond
BlueCross and its employees donated more than $900,000 directly to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. BlueCross also organized and staffed (through employee volunteers) transitional housing for 147 Katrina evacuees in two local hotels in addition to coordinating counseling, medical services, job applications, financial benefits, schools and training. Employees were also deployed to American Red Cross shelters in Louisiana and Mississippi.
2005
The Heart of It All
BlueCross launches Get in the Habit wellness incentive program for employees
The long-term goal of this program is to improve the health of our employee population through the development of healthy habits. This initiative extends to all of our employees located across 35 states.
2013
The Heart of It All
BlueCross and its employees donate nearly $82,000 to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund to assist victims
In 2021, BlueCross was one of the corporate donors that supported the development of Amazing Grace Park in Marion, South Carolina. The 3-acre park and recreation area features a fountain and sculpture honoring the "Emanuel Nine."
2015
The Heart of It All
Forbes names BlueCross as a Best Place to Work
BlueCross would go on to earn several recognitions and rankings from Forbes, including its awards for being one of America’s best employers in 2019, one of the best employers for new graduates in 2020, and in both 2020 and 2021, was recognized as one of the best employers for women and a best-in-state employer.
2016
The Heart of It All
BlueCross receives the Charitable Impact Award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
The SC Branded Awards, in partnership with The Brand Leader, honors local icons that make up the brand that is South Carolina. This is one of the many accolades the company and its employees have received over the years. This award recognized the generous spirit of philanthropy that permeates the company.
2017
The Heart of It All
Operation Palmetto Employment recognizes BlueCross as a South Carolina Palmetto Military Employer
The company was recognized “for going above and beyond the call of duty” at the South Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves Annual Award Banquet.
This built on the company’s 2003 honor from the Department of Defense for supporting employees who are members of the Guard and Reserve.
2019
The Heart of It All
BlueCross celebrates employee leaders
Since 1984, more than 215 BlueCross employees have participated in leadership programs hosted by Blueprint for Leadership (United Way of the Midlands), Leadership Columbia (Columbia Chamber of Commerce), Leadershift, iTs|SC Leadership Insurance Program, Leadership South Carolina, Diversity Leaders Institute (Furman University) and the Liberty Fellowship (Wofford College).
2021
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