Company Updates

Originally published in The Tennessean, April 2019 You've probably heard some version of the saying, "Culture beats strategy." At many high-performing companies, the two go hand in hand. Combining the two is essential for long-term success, but culture has a stronger impact on recruiting and hiring.

Originally published in The Tennessean, March 2019 Since I joined BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee three decades ago, I've watched our leaders - and all our people - grow in a shared commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, making us better able to serve the individuals, families and communities in our state.

On Dec. 28, 1999, Wangsik Min - Wang to his friends - landed in the U.S. for the first time. It was the first international travel for the South Korea native and graphic designer, whose journey took him from Seoul to Tokyo, on to Atlanta, and finally to a very cold Chattanooga.

When Tamala McDuffie talks about members she assists as a behavioral health case manager at BlueCross, her face lights up. "I like helping our senior adult members," she says. "That's my happy place." Tamala's nature leads her to converse with them like a family member or friend.

For most of us, a warm house, a made bed, and food on the table are part of our everyday lives. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors and fellow community members can't say the same. The state's rate of unsheltered people in families with children is 32.6 percent, one of the highest in the nation.

For the second consecutive year, BlueCross has been selected as one of "America's Best Employers for Diversity" by Forbes. And we're proud to say that we've improved our ranking since last year's inaugural list named us No. 33 in the nation. Our 2019 ranking, announced on Jan. 15, places us at No.

Where are the most diverse places to work? We polled 30,000 U.S. employees and came up with a ranking of the top 500 large employers and the top 250 midsize ones. Is your company on the list?

Jameekah Bowling recalls a specific moment when she knew her team had made a difference in the life of a member. "I went to a community event and met an older gentleman who a few weeks earlier thought he didn't need a colonoscopy," she says.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a health insurer that serves more than 3.5 million people. In her role, Dr. Andrea Willis establishes, oversees and implements standards and policies to promote access to quality medical care and services for those served. What are you reading now, and what's next on your list?

As a customer service representative for BlueCross and as a person, Brittany Clay exudes warmth - which is fitting, given the Chattanooga native and telecommuter works with providers to better serve our members. "The irony is that I'm perpetually cold," she admits.