Join dietitian Anne Cundiff and Chef Stacey Wertzberger on Wednesday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Hy-Vee’s Club Room at 4605 Fleur Drive in Des Moines.

During this entertaining hands-on class, you will be the cook, making three lunch and snack recipes. You will learn new cooking tips and how to re-invent standard recipes, and when you are done, you can eat the fruits of your labor.

Cost is $20 per person. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 participants are required. Register for the class.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester.

For more information or if you have trouble registering, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Learn strategies to help you transition from career to retirement during the TIAA Retirement Workshop, “Within Reach,” on April 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310. Spouses and partners are welcome to attend. Registration is not required.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Members of the Human Resources team will be available Thursday, March 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center’s Drake Room. This is a convenient opportunity for you to talk with HR Partner Services about any HR topic that’s on your mind.  You’re also welcome to schedule a meeting at the HR offices, 3206 University Avenue, if another time works better for you. We look forward to meeting with you and hearing your ideas for making Drake an even better place to work.

— Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Naming your beneficiary, and keeping the information current, puts you in control of what happens to your retirement account, if something happens to you.

Updating your beneficiary information is quick and easy to do online:

• Go to TIAA.org and log into your account.
• Under the My Account tab, select Profile and choose Add/edit beneficiaries.
• Designate beneficiaries and select how much each should receive.

You may also update your beneficiary information by submitting a completed TIAA Beneficiary Form to the following address:

TIAA

PO Box 1268

Charlotte, NC 28201-1268

Missing or outdated beneficiary information can create significant delays and costs for those your leave behind. If have questions or need assistance, contact TIAA at 800-842-2252.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award and the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Friday, March 30, at 4:30 p.m. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award

Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:

• A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service
• An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services, and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state, and/or the nation
• Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others”
• The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

• Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
• Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt, and quality service
• Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives, and services
• Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University
• The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.

A nomination letter detailing specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria is desirable. Additional letters of support are not necessary. A review committee will make award recommendations to the President’s Council.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

In the spirit of continuous improvement, Human Resources is working with an advisory group of faculty and staff to obtain feedback on how to improve the performance management program and enhance management training and development. The team has provided ideas on how to ensure performance reviews become more meaningful and effective. In addition, they plan to provide input on topics where managers would benefit from additional training and resources. Mary Alice Hill, director of HR Partner Services, would like to recognize the following group members for their time and thoughtful ideas.

Tricia Atterberg, College of Arts and Sciences
Marilea Chase, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Renae Chesnut, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Dan Connolly, School of Business and Public Administration
Scott Law, Public Safety
Brandi Miller, Student Financial Planning
Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Heather Travis, Finance and Administration
Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

If you have ideas to suggest, you are encouraged to share them with any member of the team.

— Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources

Members of the Human Resources team will be available Thursday, March 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center’s Drake Room. This is a convenient opportunity for you to talk with HR Partner Services about any HR topic that’s on your mind.  You’re also welcome to schedule a meeting at the HR offices, 3206 University Avenue, if another time works better for you. We look forward to meeting with you and hearing your ideas for making Drake an even better place to work.

— Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2019 by completing a wellness screening this year. If you are on Drake’s health plan and currently enrolled in the Wellness Premium Incentive Program, you must complete a wellness screening annually to retain your savings. There are three ways to complete your screening:

1. At a participating Hy-Vee (available July 1—Sept. 15)
2. On campus through UnityPoint Health (online registration opens Sept. 4 with screening dates in October)
3. With your physician. Fill out a Physician Wellness Screening Results Form.

If you have a physical, with bloodwork, between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, the results can be submitted as your wellness screening.

• Take a copy of the Physician Wellness Screening Results Form to your appointment.
• Your physician must sign the completed form and you or your physician must fax it to 1-855-827-6307. Results will be forwarded to Wellmark.
• The signed form must be received by Sept. 30, 2018.
• It is up to you to ensure your physician’s office submits the appropriate paperwork by the Sept. 30 deadline. To determine whether your paperwork has been received, contact Wellmark on their 24/7 helpline at 1-877-252-8412.

New this year: You will NOT be required to complete an online wellness assessment. You only need to complete the wellness screening to receive the premium incentive.

For questions, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Strokes are the leading cause of serious, long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Common risk factors include being over 40 years of age, overweight, inactive, family history, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and smoking.

Stroke Detection Plus will be offering four screenings on Wednesday, March 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311. Screenings include:

• Stroke/carotid artery screening
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
• Peripheral arterial disease screening
• Atrial fibrillation (EKG) screening

These painless and non-invasive screenings are open to all Drake employees, spouses, and retirees. The cost is $99 for all four screenings payable at the time of your appointment. If you only wish to participate in one or two screenings, the cost is $45 per screening.

Appointments are required. Register online or call 1-877-732-8258 toll free. If you call, be sure to mention that you are participating in the Drake University event in Des Moines at the Olmsted Center.

View more information on the screenings.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources