Pictured left to right: Mary Ciammetti, founder and president of Don't Stall, Just Call; Daniel Taylor, co-founder of Reach Out and Read; and Amy Carolla, co-founder of B Inspired
On November 13, Independence Blue Cross (IBX) joined Philadelphia magazine’s Be Well Philly to celebrate the annual Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge finalists and 2024 winner. Presented by IBX, the contest recognizes people from throughout the Philadelphia region who are working to make their communities healthier.
Koleen Cavanaugh, IBX senior vice president and chief marketing officer, spoke at the reception at The Olde Bar: “By recognizing and celebrating those who help others live healthier lives, we hope to inspire more people to do the same.”
Be Well Philly editors and staff received hundreds of nominations, which they narrowed down to 10 semi-finalists. Through online voting, the community helped narrow the list to three finalists and ultimately one Health Hero champion.
2024 Health Hero
Daniel Taylor was named the 2024 Be Well Health Hero. Taylor, a pediatrician at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, co-founded the local Reach Out and Read program, which promotes early literacy and school readiness by integrating children’s books into pediatric care. The $15,000 donation will allow him to continue to support children’s literacy and provide them with brand new developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant books at every well visit.
Two other finalists received a $2,500 donation to their charities:
- Amy Carolla, co-founder of B Inspired. This nonprofit organization empowers underserved middle school students to become champions of their own well-being through wellness programs and afterschool activities.
- Mary Ciammetti, founder and president of Don’t Stall, Just Call. This nonprofit organization is an alcohol poisoning education program for university and high school students. It provides students with alcohol education, anxiety reduction strategies, and wellness opportunities as healthy alternatives to drinking.