Two director-level employees of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ) have been named as YWCA Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) 2016 honorees. The award recognizes businesswomen who excel in their fields and who have made significant contributions to their workplace. For this year, Geri Boone, Director of the MLTSS (Managed Long-Term Services and Supports) Program at Horizon NJ Health and Theresa Ponton, Director of Benefit Coding and Testing, were honored at the TWINS awards dinner in Whippany earlier this month. "Horizon is fortunate to have extraordinary leaders in Geri and Theresa – two women who play integral roles in helping the company operate effectively and deliver services to the members who count on us for care," said Alison Banks-Moore, Chief Diversity Officer, Horizon BCBSNJ.The MLTSS program is designed to promote independence, dignity and choice by allowing certain Medicaid-eligible individuals to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their homes and communities while receiving necessary care. As director of this program, Ms. Boone, who has a Master's degree in business and a BS degree in Nursing, is responsible for MLTSS product strategy, design, infrastructure and program delivery. Away from work, Ms. Boone volunteers here time in her local community and mentors young people.Ms. Ponton joined Horizon BCBSNJ 26 years ago. She is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of group employer transactions, including new member enrollments and any employee benefit changes authorized by the groups. Ms. Ponton obtained her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration while working for Horizon-BCBSNJ. With a passion for giving back, she is a mentor for high school and college students who work at Horizon BCBSNJ, volunteers for Literacy Leaders in Newark and organizes food drives for a local food bank.TWIN originated in New Jersey in 1975. Now a national and international award program of the YWCA, TWIN annually recognizes outstanding business women and their companies.
About Horizon BCBSNJ's Diversity programsHorizon BCBSNJ has instituted many programs aimed at promoting diversity within the company including: paid minority internships and manager development programs, as well as a Diversity Council and minority leadership programs. To learn more about Horizon BCBSNJ and its diversity efforts, visit:
www.HorizonBlue.com/diversityAbout Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseyHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at
www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.