Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield unveils a new historic marker in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — On Wednesday, the Midland Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield was honored for their economic significance in Columbus by the Georgia Historical Society.

The Georgia Historical Society honored the company through the Georgia Business History Initiative. Every year, GHS selects iconic companies in Georgia to be honored.

Honorees receive a historical marker and education materials developed for and made available to eighth grade economic and history teachers across the state.

Robert Bunch, CEO and President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield hopes when new customers see the marker, they know the company is stable and has a good plan for the future.

“ It really is a culmination of a lot of years, a lot of people doing a lot of really good work and caring about the community, so us being recognized is nothing more than that. To say that hey our history has been one where we have invested in the community, we’ve cared about the people.”

Robert Bunch, CEO and President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

WRBL also spoke to the CEO and President of the Georgia Historical Society Todd Groce about the new marker. He says the markers allow the GHS to reach a different audience.

“When we think about the history of Georgia now in the 21st century, it is the story about our businesses. It is the story of these incredible companies that have had such an impact not only on the state, but really across the world now. And so for us to be able to get those stories out there, that’s really the most important thing because it fulfills our mission, which is to teach the history of Georgia and the United States.”

PH.D Todd Groce, CEO and President of Georgia Historical Society

Bunch and Groce expect the historical marker to be tell the story of the company and acts as a monument for the standard of excellence the company upholds.

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