Photo (L-R): Denee Crumrine, Highmark Blue Shield; Chris Rumer, the Mann; Joan Roebuck-Carter, the Mann Center senior vice president and chief advancement office; Caseem Wongus, Community Spotlight Award honoree; Dan Tropeano, Highmark Blue Shield segment president; Molly Fallone, Highmark Blue Shield
Friday, May 09, 2025
PHILADELPHIA (May 9, 2025) — Highmark Blue Shield in southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) had the honor of recognizing Caseem Wongus, a local resident whose extraordinary bravery and has inspired the community, on Friday, May 2, with its Community Spotlight Award.
Mr. Wongus selflessly rescued a child from a plane crash that occurred in northeast Philadelphia on January 31, 2025. Since then, he has been courageous in sharing his story and the impact of the incident on his health. Highmark believes in the powerful connection between music, community, and well-being, and values its partnership with organizations like the Mann Center that share this commitment.
May is Mental Health Awareness month, which is the perfect time to celebrate individuals like Mr. Wongus who are making a positive difference in the lives of others and speaking out about their own mental health journeys.
"On behalf of Highmark, we thank Caseem for his outstanding bravery," said Dan Tropeano, segment president of Highmark Blue Shield in SEPA. "It takes a lot of strength to share your story, and we want you to know that it is helping others to acknowledge their own needs and seek care."
In addition to a VIP experience at the May 2 opening performance of BalletX at the Mann, the Community Spotlight Award includes access to even more music experiences, as a token of Highmark's appreciation for Mr. Wongus's outstanding courage.
Last year, Highmark Blue Shield and the Mann Center announced a 10-year sponsorship and naming rights deal, making Highmark the official health insurance sponsor of the venue and namesake of the Highmark Skyline Stage @ the Mann.
About Highmark Blue Shield
Highmark Inc., doing business as Highmark Blue Shield, protects Pennsylvania individuals and families with a range of high-quality, affordable and reliable health insurance solutions. As the only Blue Shield licensee in Pennsylvania, Highmark Blue Shield has a long and successful history of delivering remarkable experiences in Southeastern Pennsylvania through the Federal Employee Program. Highmark Blue Shield is recognized for its brand strength, superior customer service, financial performance, and enrollment. Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
About the Mann
As one of the foremost outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a leading non-profit organization, has a historical legacy of artistic excellence as a world-class entertainment destination presenting premier artists, now in association with Live Nation Entertainment. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars, and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B, and pop take the stage here. The Mann is the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and has presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since the 1930s. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 400,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed TD Pavilion; picnics, blankets, and music under the stars on its Great Lawn or at the top of the hill at the Highmark Skyline Stage @ the Mann; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant. In addition, the Mann’s Education & Community Engagement Program reaches tens of thousands of young people annually through free programming and educational initiatives as well as its virtual Mann Music Room. Mann's unique setting also provides an unparalleled opportunity to activate the campus's six unique event spaces available to host concert presentations, intimate gatherings, corporate events, and private functions. For more information, visit www.manncenter.org.
For more information, contact
Denée Crumrine
Highmark Delaware
denee.crumrine@highmarkhealth.org
