Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Wins Three National Awards for Communications Excellence from Council on Foundatio

DETROIT, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation has won three national awards in the 2007 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program. The awards, given by the Council on Foundations and the Communications Network, recognize outstanding communications efforts that increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs. The awards will be presented at the 59th Annual Conference of the Council on Foundations on Monday, May 5, 2008 in Maryland.

The foundation has won 32 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards since 1995 (eight gold, 14 silver, nine bronze and one runner-up), including this year's awards:

"We are honored to receive these prestigious awards for our communications efforts," said Ira Strumwasser, executive director and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. "It's a reflection of the talented and dedicated staff at BCBSM and BCBSM Foundation and their high standards in supporting research and programs that benefit the people of Michigan by improving health care quality, safety and access. BCBSM and the foundation have a unique Social Mission that benefits the people of Michigan and these efforts demonstrate our commitment to improve the health and health care of all who live in Michigan."

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents by supporting health care research and innovative health programs. The foundation's grant programs are conducted in Michigan by Michigan-based researchers and nonprofit community health care organizations.

Over the past 25 years, the BCBSM Foundation has contributed approximately $20 million in grants for research and $5 million for community health programs. This funding has resulted in enhancements to quality, patient safety and access to care for the people of Michigan. The foundation also supports efforts to control the rising costs of health care through research, demonstration and evaluation projects.

The BCBSM Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit bcbsm.com/foundation.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation