Since the announcement, employees have participated in “Welcome Week” activities at Blue Shield and Care1st offices across California – including Monterey Park, San Francisco and El Dorado Hills – and in Phoenix, Arizona.
The events provided employees with the opportunity to meet with their new colleagues and learn more about the how the companies will work together to drive quality and affordability of care in the areas they serve. Senior leadership, including Blue Shield CEO Paul Markovich and Care1st CEO Anna Tran, were active in the events and celebration and reiterated their commitment to a multi-year transition.
More than 1,800 employees attended “Welcome Week” activities and participated in daily challenges companywide.
One activity in particular resulted in more than 150 employees taking a pledge to #EndTheSilence about Domestic Violence, a serious issue that Blue Shield is committed to help prevent.
Through another activity, we learned what is most important to employees: the member. Here are some of the commitments made by employees:
“I will empower members to make healthy changes.”
“I will always give 100 percent to help others and to make a difference.”
“I will develop a schedule to increase the number of healthier living programs in English, Spanish and Chinese.”
“I will provide excellent customer service and provide helpful resolutions for our members.”
At the conclusion of “Welcome Week,” it’s clear that Care1st joining the Blue Shield family will help us deliver as a mission-driven, customer-focused company. By combining Care1st’s deep expertise in Medicaid with Blue Shield’s strength and scale, we’ll be better able to meet our goal of ensuring all Californians have access to high-quality health care at an affordable price.
Karla Stevenson is a senior manager of internal communications at Blue Shield of California.