PHILADELPHIA – Magee Rehabilitation Hospital will present its 19th Annual Humanitarian Award to Joseph A. Frick, President/CEO of Independence Blue Cross, on Tuesday, November 14, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia. A reception will take place 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner. The Humanitarian Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that works to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in the Philadelphia region. The annual event raises money for patients and services of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. Last year, the Humanitarian Award Dinner raised an event-record $142,000. For more information, call 215-587-3090.

Under Mr. Frick's leadership, IBC has redoubled its community outreach activities. To address the critical shortage of nurses and nursing educators, the organization created scholarships provided by IBC’s Nurse Scholars Program at 28 area nursing schools. IBC’s Charitable Medical Care Grant Program has provided quality medical care to the uninsured by giving financial support to 25 nonprofit, privately funded clinics in southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, as the number of hospital-acquired infections began to rise, IBC took action and joined with the local hospital community to launch the Partnership for Patient Care. Mr. Frick’s commitment to the City of Philadelphia and the region is extraordinary. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors for Leadership, Inc., a program preparing Philadelphia area leaders for influential roles in the community. He also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, the Philadelphia Orchestra, LaSalle University, and the CEO Council for Growth. Last month, he began a two-year term as Chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

IBC has supported Magee's community programs through contributions and gifts. The company also helped produce a promotional DVD about Magee's Riverfront Outpatient Center.