Veronica Serrano
Mother. Wife. TV junkie. Shopaholic. That’s me in a nutshell – outside of work. As a copywriter at IBX, I enjoy learning about the health and wellness topics that I write about and hope to incorporate more healthy habits into my daily life to give me the energy to keep up with my baby girl.

Food Safety and Recalls: What Consumers Should Know

A woman checks her refrigerator while consulting a tablet computer.
Don’t eat romaine lettuce! Check your freezer for ground beef! Throw out your breakfast cereal! There have been a number of significant food recalls in the headlines recently — so many that it often feels like there’s a new one each day. In the United States, food recalls are most often due to bacterial contamination from pathogens,...
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Repeat After Me: Self-Care is Not Selfish

Overhead photo of a woman drinking coffee and reading in bed.
Like many women, I tend to put my health and well-being last on my list of priorities. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went to see my specialist (yet I manage to schedule and attend many of my husband’s and parents’ appointments) or even worked out consistently (but I watch the baby so my husband can work out two to three times a week)....
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Motivated to Succeed: Tips for Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolution

People celebrating New Year's Eve with sparklers outdoors
As I sit here planning the perfect outfit to ring in the new year, I realize that I haven’t made any resolutions. Actually, I haven’t made a New Year’s resolution in about three years. So, what happened? The reason why I stopped making a resolution is simple: I never stick to it. Like most well-intentioned people,...
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From Boots to Suits: Transitioning From the Military to IBX

Sean and Melanie Martin at the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade
Sean and incoming 2019 iVets President Melanie Martin at the Veterans’ Day Parade in Philadelphia. When Sean Sanders graduated from military school in south central Pennsylvania, he had two choices: enlist or return to his North Philadelphia neighborhood. He chose the military and proudly served in the U.S. Army for 22 years,...
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Finding Inner Peace and Hope Through Volunteering

Elyssa Ann Keating at Gaudeniza's annual award dinner.
Elyssa Ann Keating helping to set up the silent Auction during the Gaudeniza’s annual award dinner. Elyssa Keating will never forget her first week at Independence Blue Cross (Independence). It was her second day of work when she received the call that would change her life — her high school boyfriend died of a drug overdose....
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Blue Crew Volunteer Program Honored for Community Service and Positive Impact

Lorina Marshall-Blake, VP of Community Affairs accepting the Volunteer Organization of the Year award from David Stier, Program Director at St. John’s Hospice. At Independence Blue Cross, our associates are passionate about helping others in the community. Through the Blue Crew — the company’s corporate volunteer program — more than 1,300 associates and their family members participated in 303 volunteer projects throughout the region last year....
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Giving Back to Youth Through Volunteering

Anthony and Swoop
Independence Blue Cross associates Anthony Stevenson and Terence Simmons with Swoop from the Philadelphia Eagles. Anthony Stevenson knows the importance of being there for a child. In addition to his son, he was a foster parent to his niece and nephew when they needed a home. “Kids just want love and attention and to know that someone cares about them,” Anthony said....
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Smile for the Camera! Tips for Good Dental Hygiene

Father and son brushing tet
Whether you’re saying cheese for a family photo or greeting a potential employer for a job interview, your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. A beautiful smile can light up a room! In addition to a winning smile, it’s important to take good care of your mouth, teeth, and gums to help prevent bad breath,...
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Pumpkin Spice Up Your Health

If you’re like me, the arrival of the fall season brings a big smile to your face. I love everything about the fall — cooler weather, beautiful leaves on the ground, and pumpkin spice everything! The latter being my favorite thing about the season. From coffee and lattes to baked goods to even chocolate, pumpkin spice is everywhere this season and it tastes divine!...
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The Great Coffee Debate: Healthy or harmful?

Barista hands customer coffee in a recycled paper cup with plastic lid.
If you’re like me, your day doesn’t really start until you’ve had your first cup of coffee. There’s just something about the rich taste and aroma of coffee that helps get me going in the morning. My love for coffee started many years ago when I was a kid (to my husband’s horror). Growing up in a Hispanic household,...
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