Kim Keck | Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island CEO and president
For me, leading Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is a unique opportunity to work with people who are committed to Rhode Islanders, not just by making it our mission to provide access to affordable health care, but also by investing our time and resources into the many communities that lend character, depth and diversity to our state. Last year alone, Blue Cross associates devoted more than 8,400 hours to community service.
It makes sense that investing in community is one of our company’s foundational pillars. Like all strong companies providing an essential service, we put our customers and members first. But as a Rhode Island company, we’re lucky enough to actually know our customers and members well. They are our neighbors, friends, families – and we patronize their businesses. We go out of our way to seek Rhode Island vendors for projects [such as] our newest Your Blue Store in East Providence, designed and built by award-winning Rhode Island architects and contractors. And, we’re solidly behind Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s Supply RI initiative.
You’ve probably heard the expression that health care is hyperlocal. In our small state that’s a real advantage. Because we understand the needs of our customers and members, we can help them navigate a complex system that’s changing at a head-spinning pace.
Access to affordable, quality care close to home leads to better health outcomes and a more economically vibrant state with a promising future. That is a great return on community investment.