Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence, poses with fellow panelists at the inaugural Bill Rouse Symposium at the Kimmel Center. Photo courtesy of the Kimmel Center.
“Philadelphia is in a position to become the center of health care innovation,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) president and CEO, at the inaugural Bill Rouse Symposium hosted by the Kimmel Center. “We have world-class institutions doing research that will save lives and a business community that can leverage those breakthroughs for innovation and growth,” he added.
Hilferty and other city leaders discussed the “Renaissance” Philadelphia has experienced over the last few decades, what it will take to position Philadelphia as a global city, and how industries like health care will continue to shape the landscape.
The event honors the life and legacy of city developer Bill Rouse, whose vision forever changed the city and its skyline. His company, Liberty Property Trust, created landmark developments including One Liberty Place, the first skyscraper to rise above William Penn’s statue atop City Hall.
The panel discussion, moderated by Brian Tierney, CEO, Brian and Realtime Media, also featured John Fry, president, Drexel University; Bill Hankowsky, chairman, president, and CEO, Liberty Property Trust; Feather Houstoun, senior advisor, Wyncote Foundation; and Joe Neubauer, retired chairman of the board and CEO, Aramark Corporation.