A check presentation was made to the SAMC Foundation during ACOM groundbreaking ceremonies. Pictured (L-R) are: Dr. Dow Briggs, BCBSAL Vice President and Medical Director; Derek Miller, SAMC Chief Financial Officer; David Dennis, SAMC Board of Trustees Chairman; Ronald DeVane, SAMC Board of Trustee; Jeff Ingrum, BCBSAL Senior Vice President; Ron Owen, SAMC Chief Executive Officer; Koko Mackin, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Community Relations; Valerie Barnes, SAMC Foundation Executive Director; and Eddie Harris, BCBSAL Vice President.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama recently donated $1.5 million to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center Foundation to benefit the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The initial $1 million was presented to the Foundation at the conclusion of the January 19 groundbreaking ceremony for the new college. “We are proud to be the recipient of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama’s gift and applaud the organization for supporting ACOM as an important solution for our region’s critical shortage of primary care physicians,” said SAMC Foundation Executive Director Valerie Barnes.
The money could be used by the Foundation to assist ACOM with the purchase of additional technology and equipment, or to underwrite future program needs, she noted.
According to Terry Kellogg, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, the gift was made in a continuing effort to enhance access to quality healthcare in Alabama. “We are honored to partner with the Southeast Alabama Medical Center Foundation to benefit the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine,” he said, explaining, “It is critical that we find and support ways to increase the number of primary care physicians in our state, and our financial contribution underscores that commitment.”
Blue Cross has active and engaged provider networks in all of Alabama’s 67 counties. “Ensuring there is quality healthcare available throughout the state gives our customers peace of mind, so they can focus on being healthy,” Kellogg added.