COVID-19 and other events surrounding 2020 have contributed to increased anxiety and stress.  We may not be able to eliminate the stressors, but there are resources to address the stress.  Here is an upcoming program you may wish to check out.

Drake has collaborated with CoreBuilt Wellness to bring you a 10-Day series to support you in managing the stress in your life. This program runs Nov. 9–20.

Participants will receive one weekday email with a short video on a stress relief technique, access to additional videos, an optional daily accountability text message from the CoreBuilt coaching team, and a chance to win prizes (including a Hy-Vee gift card) just for participating.

To register for this free 10-day De-Stress challenge, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu by Friday, Nov. 6.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

If you are planning to participate in Drake’s Health Plan during 2021, you must designate a Primary Care Provider (PCP) for yourself and all dependents enrolled in the Plan. Designating a PCP promotes the establishment of a long-term relationship with a health care provider who:

• understands your health needs
• maintains your medical records
• assists with a wide range of medical conditions, and
• refers you to other in-network providers when necessary

Each covered member may select a different PCP from Wellmark’s list of general or family practice physicians, internists and pediatricians.  Female members who wish to designate an obstetrician or gynecologist as a co-care provider must contact Wellmark Customer Service at 800-362-2230.

To ensure your claims process correctly, you will need to designate a PCP before seeking care.  If you do not select a PCP during the open enrollment period, you will still have access to coverage.  However, if Wellmark receives a claim for preventive services without a PCP on file, the claim will pend and then be denied.  You may add a PCP at any time; the designation will become effective the first of the month following the addition.

We have prepared a brief video showing you how to obtain the information necessary to designate your PCP in the Benefits Portal.  If you have a current PCP, you may also visit wellmark.com/finder to obtain his/her enrollment identification number and organization name.  Should you have questions about this process, please contact Wellmark Customer Service at 800-362-2230.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

The annual open enrollment period for Drake University benefits will begin Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Initial enrollment information regarding Drake’s health, dental, voluntary life insurance and flexible spending account plans will be provided Friday via the DrakeHR email account. Benefit elections for the 2021 plan year must be made by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2020.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

If you missed any of the Fall 2020 BUILD classes, no worries.  Links to the recorded presentations are now available on myDrake.  To view any past presentation, click the Human Resources App on myDrake and then click on Learning & Development.

The next live virtual BUILD class is Servant Leadership on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 1–3 p.m. The class is intended for managers. Individuals who contradict the conventional stereotypes associated with their positions lead many of today’s most successful organizations.  These leaders create an environment that spurs excellence by applying the principles of servant leadership. Attendees will explore the foundations of servant leadership and learn how they can transform themselves and inspire their teams and organizations toward optimal performance. Presented by Lars Petersen from Employee & Family Resources.

To register for this class, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

COVID-19 and its economic impact has spurred a surge in financial stress and anxiety.

Fortunately, there are resources available to help answer your financial questions, and assist you in making the best decisions for you and your family.

TIAA offers a number of resources for Drake employees.

• Find answers to basic financial questions at https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn. This website covers personal finance 101, preparing for the unexpected, life milestones, retirement and beyond.
• Participate in a free monthly live webinar at https://www.tiaa.org/public/offer/insights to learn more on topics ranging from budgeting and investing strategies to retirement planning.
• Find COVID-19 related financial information at https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/prepare-unexpected/guiding-you-through-challenging-times.
• Review TIAA’s weekly market commentary at https://www.tiaa.org/public/offer/insights/tiaa-market-commentary for educational information regarding the current financial climate.
• Set up a phone or video chat with Drake’s TIAA financial consultant, Paige Philips at philips@tiaa.org.

You may also find answers to your financial questions at the next BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) class, My Financial Life: Money Matters, on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 10–11 a.m.  We will explore money concepts that serve as building blocks for a strong financial future, including spending plans (budgets), emergency funds, eliminating debt, and saving for the future.  Scott Nelson from Legacy Financial Group will facilitate.

To register for this or any class, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Grab your walking shoes and join the Healthiest State Walk Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Instead of meeting as a group over lunch, as we have in the past, we are asking everyone to take a break sometime during the day on Oct. 7 and go for a walk—at home or on campus.

If you are working on campus, try out the new Bulldog Mile path. Follow the signs and giant blue paw prints on the sidewalks around campus. A map is posted east of the Olmsted Center. You may also view the route at www.drake.edu/map under Points of Interest.

Once you finish the Healthiest State Walk, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to enter a drawing for a chance at prizes.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake has a variety of resources to assist faculty and staff during this ongoing pandemic. In an effort to make these resources more accessible, HR has consolidated them into one section on the HR web page. The web page can be found by going to to my.drake.edu and clicking on Human Resources under Commonly Used Apps. Then select COVID-19 Support Resources.

Resources include links to the Drake coronavirus website, and essential information within this site; Iowa childcare resources; DSM Tutor Connection; Supplemental Paid Leave Plan; link to Employee & Family Resources; Drake TEAMS Chat Groups; Doctors on Demand®; and additional health and wellness information.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

There are a few openings left—sign up today to receive your flu shot. Human Resources purchased 300 flu vaccines to be provided at no cost to faculty and staff and administered by Drake CPHS student pharmacists and pharmacist faculty members.

Flu shot clinics will be held during morning hours on October 5, 7, 9, and 12. Those who wish to participate must register online at https://tinyurl.com/CPHSwellness2020 for an appointment.

This year’s employee flu clinic will be held in a “drive-up” format in Parking Lot 2 across from Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. Those participating will drive their car to the lot during their appointment time (or walk up if you are not driving), receive the vaccination, and then will be asked to wait in their car in the parking lot for the 15-minute, post-vaccination safety waiting period.

If you have any questions regarding the flu shots, please contact Nora Stelter, PharmD, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice at nora.stelter@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Grab your walking shoes and join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

To maintain social distancing, we are not going to meet as a group at a specific time to start the walk. Instead, we are asking everyone to take a break at any time during the day on Oct. 7 and go for a walk—at home or on campus.

If you are working on campus, try out the new Bulldog Mile path. Follow the signs and giant blue paw prints on the sidewalks around campus. A map is posted east of the Olmsted Center. You may also view the route at drake.edu/map under Points of Interest.

Once you finish the Healthiest State Walk, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to enter a drawing for a chance at prizes.

The Iowa Healthiest State walk is celebrated in October as part of Iowa’s Healthiest State Month initiative. In addition to the walk, the initiative is focusing on its 5-2-1-0 program throughout the month. The daily goal is to eat five fruits or vegetables, spend two hours or less of screen time outside of work, get at least one hour of physical activity, and consume zero sugary beverages.

Let’s begin our road to better health with the Healthiest State Walk!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake is now a participating member of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities’ Tuition Exchange Program (CIC–TEP), which consists of around 440 member colleges and universities. This change broadens the opportunities for Drake employees and their eligible dependents to attend another institution of higher education tuition-free.

Drake also participates in the tuition exchange program offered through Tuition Exchange, Inc., which has over 670 participating institutions. More information about each of these tuition exchange programs may be found on HR’s Tuition Benefits webpage.

— Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources