WellPoint Named One of 13 Leading Companies for Employees with Disabilities

INDIANAPOLIS, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WellPoint, Inc., (NYSE: WLP) has been recognized as one of 13 leading companies for employees with disabilities by Profiles in Diversity Journal. The company shares this honor with such organizations as McDonald's Corporation, Chrysler Group LLC and Fifth Third Bank.

In the May/June issue, Profiles in Diversity Journal seeks to recognize and honor companies that are committed to workforce diversity and continue to foster an inclusive work environment for all employees. This honor recognizes WellPoint's efforts to accommodate those with talent, enthusiasm and a desire to work – and who also have disabilities.

"We're honored to be recognized as a company that supports associates with disabilities," said Linda Jimenez, WellPoint's chief diversity officer and vice president, Diversity & Inclusion. "When you read the stories of those featured in this issue of Profiles in Diversity Journal, it is apparent that we have the power to touch many lives. This truly shows the importance of a diverse and vibrant workforce, and encourages companies to foster an inclusive environment for all."

One featured article includes an inspiring story about Jamison Torok, a technical project manager at WellPoint. Torok serves as chair of WellPoint's Abilities Beyond Limited Expectations (ABLE) associate resource group. He is passionate about his work, and his enthusiasm and determination have helped him excel in his education, work and desire to inspire others.

According to Torok, "Personal accountability for excellence is one of WellPoint's core values and one I embody in my approach to work. I have a personal philosophy: A promise made is a promise kept. There has never been a situation where I see a limitation to my abilities."

About Profiles in Diversity Journal

Profiles in Diversity Journal is a bi-monthly magazine focusing on diversity/inclusion in business, government, health care, non-profit, higher education and military settings. The focus of the Journal is on senior leadership, best practices, benchmarking, workforce diversity strategies, recognition of employee contribution, and features about what makes organizations great.

For more information or to order a copy of the 2011 May/June issue of Profiles in Diversity Journal, go to www.diversityjournal.com.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint works to simplify the connection between Health, Care and Value. We help to improve the health of our members and our communities, and provide greater value to our customers and shareholders. WellPoint is the nation's largest health benefits company in terms of medical membership, with 34 million members in its affiliated health plans, and a total of more than 70 million individuals served through its subsidiaries.  As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint serves members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as the Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as the Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), and Wisconsin.  In a majority of these service areas, WellPoint does business as Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Empire Blue Cross (in the New York service areas).  WellPoint also serves customers throughout the country as UniCare.  Additional information about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com.

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.