Manitoba Blue Cross cut the ribbon on its newest regional service centre in Winkler last week.
Graham presented United Way Pembina Valley reps Anna Wieler, Nichole Hiebert, and Cathy Sandercock with a $10,000 donation to mark the occasion
“This new location represents an important step in making our services more accessible to the people across southern Manitoba, specifically in the Pembina Valley area, “ said David Tompkins, vice-president of sales for the not-for-profit agency. “Above all, today is about further strengthening our connection with these communities and making support more accessible and ensuring people can get assistance from Manitoba Blue Cross closer to home.”
Located at 88L 15th St., Unit 3, the service centre gives both existing Blue Cross members and the public at large a place to go for face-to-face assistance with claims or questions about health and travel insurance coverage.
“Sometimes people want more than information; they want a chance to ask questions, talk things through, feel confident, and understand their options for coverage,” noted Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “Having local support can make that experience more personal, convenient, and approachable, especially when navigating something important or unfamiliar.”
The facility will also serve as a base for eligible members with individual or employee assistance program coverage to access professional support for their mental well-being through in-person counselling sessions.
“This is especially important because, for some people, being able to speak to someone in a safe, supported environment locally can make it much easier to reach out and get the support that they want and the support that they need,” Graham noted.
This is the second regional service centre the agency has opened in the past year (the first was in Thompson last fall) as it endeavours to reach out to its many members beyond Winnipeg.
“There’s always been a presence here, but in the last few years the board of directors and the executive have really talked about how do we put more of Manitoba in Manitoba Blue Cross?” noted board member Curwin Friesen, who is president of local agricultural dealership Greenvalley Equipment.
Given the growth of the area, Winkler was the perfect fit for the next rural community in which to establish a service centre.
“The next logical choice because of the boom in this area was to serve locals down here in the Pembina Valley,” noted Graham.
The centre will employ three full-time staffers and also welcome Blue Cross counsellors from other offices.
The non-profit’s commitment to in-person customer service is to be lauded, said Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens, on hand to officially help Graham cut the ribbon on the facility.
“In a day and age when everyone seems to be running from customer service, when it’s harder and harder to get through, even on a phone call, to somebody when you’re looking for something, to see this investment into our community, to see this investment here with personal service … we’re extremely thankful for that. We’re very proud that you’ve chosen Winkler.”
Manitoba Blue Cross further marked the occasion by making a $10,000 donation to the United Way of the Pembina Valley.
“Supporting organizations like United Way is one more way we can help strengthen the region beyond the walls of our service centre,” Graham said. “This space is about being present—building relationships, supporting people in a meaningful way and investing in the well-being of the communities we serve.”
“It’s a wonderful boost to our campaign, which we’ll be launching this fall,” noted United Way board treasurer Anna Wieler. “This will really help the organizations that we support. We pass it on and they, in turn, support the people that make use of their programs and services. And now Blue Cross just adds to that support system within the community.”
