Over the past ten weeks, my internship with the Behavioral Health sector at Independence Blue Cross (IBX) has been an eye-opening experience, one that connected deeply with my GLI Global Theme of Technology and Society. While my initial expectation was that technology would drive much of my work, I quickly realized that our Medicare-focused project required us to step back from a purely technological approach. Because this population is less likely to engage with digital tools, our challenge was rooted in the societal side of the theme: how do we improve behavioral health access and reduce stigma without relying on technology? To answer this, my team designed postcards that communicated support in a non-stigmatizing way, carefully avoiding behavioral health language while still ensuring accessibility, clarity, and impact. By working around technology, rather than centering it, we were able to meet the unique needs of this population and demonstrate the importance of adapting solutions to the communities they serve.

Beyond this group project, I also contributed to IBX through two additional initiatives. First, I created and managed repositories to improve provider-member matching, which involved extensive outreach and meetings with providers. Second, I used IBX data to prepare quarterly reviews for Connect to Care virtual providers, ensuring timely therapeutic care for members. These tasks not only sharpened my understanding of behavioral health operations but also highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating real-world impact.

From these experiences, I gained valuable leadership and teamwork skills. Working with seven fellow interns on the Medicare stigma-reduction project pushed me to balance leading with listening. I learned how to contribute ideas while also supporting others, how to delegate tasks effectively, and how to ensure that each teammate’s perspective shaped our final product. Winning first place against three other groups was a proud moment, but more importantly, it reflected the strength of our teamwork and the trust we built with one another.

This experience has also raised new questions for me. How can healthcare organizations continue adapting their approaches to reach populations that may not have access to or feel comfortable with technology? How do we balance innovation with accessibility to ensure that no group is left behind? At IBX, I began to see how these questions can be addressed. Their commitment to improving behavioral health access, whether through data-driven solutions, provider outreach, or non-technological approaches like our Medicare project, demonstrates how an organization can innovate while still centering accessibility. In many ways, IBX sets an example for other Blue Cross Blue Shield companies across the nation, showing that progress in healthcare must be both technologically forward-thinking and socially inclusive.

Ultimately, this internship was more than just a professional milestone; it was a journey of growth. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity, for the incredible team I worked alongside, and for the chance to connect my GLI Global Theme of Technology and Society to meaningful, real-world impact.