PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, has been named a recipient of the Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion Program Award by the Philadelphia Inquirer. The health care company will be one of 21 individuals and organizations from throughout the Greater Philadelphia region honored for their innovative diversity programs and inclusive workplace initiatives at the inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Awards Gala taking place Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Crystal Tea Room.
AmeriHealth Caritas was chosen among more than 100 nominees for the honor, which was selected by a noteworthy judging panel that included Valerie Cofield, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council; Pedro A. Ramos, president and chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Foundation; Ashlie Thornbury, vice president of Partnerships with CampusPhilly; and Michael Pearson, president and chief executive officer of Union Packaging, LLC.
The company’s award-winning submission focused on its work around supplier diversity initiatives and employee engagement. AmeriHealth Caritas is a leader in supplier diversity—investing back into the community by working with small and diverse businesses. Its Mentor Protégé Program provides diverse suppliers with resources and networking opportunities designed to help grow their businesses. The organization has also been recognized by the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus for its exemplary work around supplier diversity and been named the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (ESMDC) Corporation of the Year in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. The company’s robust associate programming is anchored by the creation of many employee resource groups that provide support and professional development for women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color, and the LGBT community.
“As a company that works deeply within communities to help vulnerable populations get much needed care, we are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion,” said AmeriHealth Caritas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul A. Tufano. “We demonstrate this commitment not only with a workforce and supplier base that reflect the communities we serve, but also by educating, training, mentoring and engaging our employees and suppliers on how our differences and diversity unite us to serve a greater good, which is providing Medicaid members with a pathway to prosperity and maximum independence.”
Tufano will be on hand to accept the award during the ceremony, which will also feature remarks from Lauren Kauffman, vice president of People & Culture for the Inquirer and Michael Days, vice president of Diversity & Inclusion for the Inquirer, as well as a keynote address by Sulaiman Rahman, chief executive officer of DiverseForce, a Philadelphia-based company dedicated to raising awareness around diversity and inclusion efforts.
Ky’a Jackson, director of Diversity & Inclusion with AmeriHealth Caritas, said the company’s work, whether through external efforts with suppliers or internal work with associates, speaks volumes to the positive impact that is made on associates and in the communities where its members live and work, adding, “AmeriHealth Caritas believes that diversity and inclusion are vital for the health of individuals and communities and we’re thrilled to have our hard work recognized by such an esteemed institution like the Philadelphia Inquirer.”
“Supplier diversity supports our mission to build healthy communities and is in line with one of our core values – diversity,” said Ron Baldwin, director of Supplier Diversity and Management. “The programs we have to help our suppliers have long-term effects on many people. When our suppliers succeed, they not only reflect our ability to identify and partner with quality businesses, but they in turn, create opportunities for economic growth and hope in their respective communities.”
For information on the awards ceremony, contact Inquirer Director of Events Angelica Irizarry at 215-854-5417 or airizarry@inquirer.com.
About AmeriHealth Caritas
AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 12 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 5 million Medicaid, Medicare, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, and behavioral health services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 35 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.
