2007 Emerald Awards Nomination: PacificSource Health Plans
PacificSource’s 74 years of service here in Lane County go far beyond the core business of providing health insurance coverage. The organization’s culture fosters a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in all the communities it serves. PacificSource meets that commitment through both financial support and personal involvement in community service initiatives.
The PacificSource Charitable Foundation
One way PacificSource helps local communities is by supporting an active, vital charitable foundation. Since its incorporation in 1992, the PacificSource Charitable Trust has assisted thousands of people through community grants, awards, and scholarships. In particular, the Foundation strives to improve health status and meet healthcare needs in the communities PacificSource serves by:
- Funding projects that address the health care needs of children and youth;
- Developing and implementing strategies for assisting the uninsured and underinsured; and
- Working in partnership with PacificSource and its many business partners and customers, including physicians, other providers, brokers and agents.
Recipients of Foundation funds have included public school health centers, community “safety net” health clinics, programs providing health coverage to children of low-income families, and other initiatives aimed at broadening access to healthcare services. During 2006 alone, The PacificSource Charitable Foundation granted $896,200 to Oregon nonprofit organizations dedicated to increasing access to healthcare, including United Way of Lane County’s 100% Access to Healthcare Coalition. During the first six months of 2007, the Foundation has awarded $334,000 in additional funding throughout Oregon.
The Healthy Communities Giving Program
Beyond the foundation’s accomplishments, PacificSource and its employees assist in a wide range of charitable and community efforts through an employee-directed community giving program. Through Healthy Communities, PacificSource and its employees strive to:
- Educate and empower individuals and families to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles;
- Sponsor safe, healthy, educational, and fun family-oriented activities; and
- Build local capacity to improve the health of the community.
During the first half of 2007, the Healthy Communities program has awarded over $77,000 in cash donations and sponsorships to Oregon nonprofit organizations. Sponsorships include runs, walks, festivals, dinners, and other fundraising events benefiting a wide range of community-based nonprofit organizations.
United Way
PacificSource has provided strong support to United Way for many years through employee donations - which totaled over $52,000 in 2006 - and participation in their Loaned Executive and Day of Caring programs. In January of this year, United Way of Lane County awarded PacificSource president and CEO Ken Provencher its highest honor – the Alton F. Baker Award – for his work as chairman of their “100% Access to Healthcare” initiative.
Employee Campaigns
Company employees are also long-time fundraisers for and participants in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life campaign, the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, Junior Achievement, the Special Olympics, local food drives, and children’s literacy programs. Our employees are encouraged to volunteer for these and other community service initiatives and are compensated for their volunteer time.
Whether through its foundation, employee involvement, or community giving program, PacificSource demonstrates a sincere commitment to improving the quality of life both here in Lane County and throughout the Pacific Northwest.