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When thinking about insurance companies, people often see heartless corporations, only after protecting their own interests and making the big bucks. Certainly, they do not have the reputation for giving back to the community in a very hands-on way. But one insurance company goes against this stereotype.

For PacificSource Health Plans, health care goes far beyond insurance. While they do deliver health care solutions to businesses and individuals throughout the Northwest, this independent, not-for-profit community health plan company values partnership, service excellence, community and personal relationships. PacificSource is committed to helping improve the overall health of communities through financial and volunteer support for local charities that improve the quality of life. Their goal is collaborate and partner with individuals and organizations to support and create meaningful change in the communities they serve.

All this may still sound like corporate hype … that is, until you meet the people behind these words. One such person is Dan Stevens, the senior vice president of government programs, based in Bend. Stevens relocated to Central Oregon in 2010 after serving for 20 years in various health care leadership roles in the Portland market.

In his current role, Stevens oversees the company’s Medicare business in Oregon and Idaho and is leading PacificSource’s work to implement effective Coordinated Care Organizations in Central Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge regions. He is a member of the Central Oregon Health Council and serves on the Boards of Deschutes County United Way and Volunteers in Medicine in Bend.

As part of a PacificSource team, Stevens is also a volunteer driver for the local Meals on Wheels program.

Meals on Wheels, overseen by the Central Oregon Council on Aging (COCOA), provides meals, delivered up to five times a week, to homebound seniors who can no longer shop for or prepare their own meals. In addition to preventing hunger and malnutrition, the program helps to end social isolation while fostering independence, dignity and self-respect among those who are aging. The benefits include:

Improved Nutrition: Helps to manage conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

In-Home Assessment: COCOA case managers identify seniors’ additional needs and match them with appropriate resources.

Friendly Visits: Drivers connect seniors to communities and mitigate anxiety and depression from social isolation.

Ongoing Wellness Checks: Changes in health, which can be indicative of elder abuse/neglect, are noted.

Case Managers, Nutrition Coordinator, and Compliance Director: Provide high-quality, standards-based professional services that create a safety-net for vulnerable seniors.

Many busy professionals don’t have the time to make an individual commitment to be a MOW volunteer driver each week. However, as a member of a corporate team, they can give back without the weekly commitment. This is one of the reasons that motivated PacificSource to develop their own MOW team.

Recently, COCOA rode along with Stevens as he took his turn delivering meals to local homebound seniors and questioned him about the history and motivation behind the PacificSource Meals on Wheels (MOW) volunteer team.

How long PacificSource has been driving at least one route?

PacificSource has had employees driving for Meals on Wheels since the year 2000. Our drivers started driving when the senior center was located on Greenwood (Avenue). Through our initial involvement with the senior center, we developed a strong community relationship and became a major contributor to the building fund for the current senior center by donating $10,000 for the project.

Over the course of a year, how many PacificSource employees typically volunteer to drive?

Our employee involvement varies depending upon the time of year. However, as we drive one route over the course of a year, we will have approximately 20 drivers cover the route. Some of our staff will drive for a season and then we have others who have been driving the route since we started back in 2000. Driving MOW is a shared effort among a number of staff, which has been the key to us being able to continue this route for so long.

How does PacificSource raise awareness about volunteering for MOW within the company?

We often use our staff meetings to share driving opportunities for Meals on Wheels and to remind employees about the great work COCOA does in the community. In addition, during new employee orientation, we talk about how our team members can volunteer throughout the Central Oregon community. During this class, new employees are told about the route we currently drive and are given information on how to sign up and even ride along with those currently driving.

Any last words?

Our commitment to Meals on Wheels has been a constant, unbroken commitment for the past 14 years. Even though we have had leadership changes, fluctuating business seasons and staff turnover, the route has always stayed the constant for us. During the first few years of driving, it was something the sales team felt passionate about, but over the years their passion has grown and expanded to include volunteers from every department and level within the organization from executives, directors, managers and general staff. It is one of the many ways we “give back,” and people appreciate the hands on nature of MOW volunteering.

PacificSource, led by compassionate leaders such as Stevens, belies the heartless stereotype and is, instead, a role model for other corporations.