CHICAGO – Karen M. Atwood has been named president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), the company announced today. Effective November 1, Atwood will begin to oversee all of BCBSIL's sales and marketing activities; its extensive health, wellness and medical management programs; its health care provider networks and relationships; and its government, public and community relations activities across Illinois.

"Karen's leadership, extensive knowledge of our business, and proven ability to provide our members and our customers excellent service and value will serve us well going into the future," said Martin G. Foster, executive vice president and president of Plan Operations for Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which operates BCBSIL.

Atwood joined BCBSIL in 1979. Currently, she is divisional senior vice president of the company's National Division, which manages more than 350 major national, municipal and labor accounts, representing more than four million members. Prior to her current position, Atwood served as HCSC's chief underwriter and held positions in financial operations, cost and budgets and financial reporting.

"I look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to enhance the quality of care and at the same time address the growth of health spending," Atwood said.

Atwood received her master's degree in Business Administration from DePaul University in 1982 and her bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, in 1978. She is a Certified Public Accountant. Atwood serves on the boards of Consortium Health Plans and Chicago's Silk Road Theatre Project. She, her husband Mike and their two children live in Chicago's west suburbs.

With more than 7 million members, BCBSIL, a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. Started in 1936, BCBSIL is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSIL is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.