Drake medical plan participants will notice the following changes to their new Wellmark ID Cards:

• New member ID numbers have been assigned to plan participants.
• The print date (12/18/17) is posted on the front of the card.
• Reference to the WellmarkBlue PPO Network is made on the front of the card.

Due to Wellmark’s new claims processing system, member participation in a PPO Plan must be designated on the new card.  It is important to note, members continue to have access to the Alliance Select Network.

Should you have questions, please contact Wellmark Customer Service at 800-362-2230.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Are you looking for ways to be active, adopt some healthy habits, and compete for prizes in 2018? HealthTrip may be the answer. HealthTrip is a fictitious journey to some familiar sounding cities such as “Aerobiquerque,” N.M. and “Las Veggies.” Each destination city features a unique health topic to explore. You earn Frequent Mover Miles by tracking activity such as walking, swimming, and playing basketball. Additionally, there are opportunities each month to earn bonus miles by completing a challenge.

This program is designed to work with your schedule-You may participate every month or just the months that work best for you. Prize drawings will be held monthly from those who complete that month’s challenge.

The HealthTrip departure date (start date) is Feb. 1. Make your reservation today by sending an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of making healthier choices. If your goals include losing weight, Weight Watchers at Work may be the solution.

Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, followed by a 30-minute class. Weight Watchers’ unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace have helped faculty and staff be successful in their weight loss goals.

The cost is $156 for a 13-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants. Payment may be made in a lump sum or split into three payments.

An information/registration meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Drake Room. If you are interested in joining a Weight Watchers at Work series, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Do you want to learn CPR but don’t have time for a four-hour class? The American Heart Association is offering a free Hands Only CPR class. This is not a certification course.

Hands Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest. The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children, victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems. However, with this class you will learn two easy steps that can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Join us on Friday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311, for this quick and simple training. In 30 minutes, you will learn a skill that could save a life.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester. Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning & Development section of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

A chair massage makes a great gift for an employee or co-worker. Or, treat yourself to a chair massage and relax and re-energize your day. Ten- and 20-minute massages will be offered on campus Feb. 6 and Feb. 7. Cost is $10 for a 10-minute massage. Payment should be given directly to Anne Boal, licensed massage therapist, at the time of appointment. Correct change, cash, or check is required. Those who participate will have the chance to win a gift certificate for a free 10-minute chair massage.

Click the links below to register for the day and time of your choice. You may register for one or two time slots per registration sheet.

Feb. 6, 2-4 p.m. in Cline Hall,  Room 101

Feb. 7, 11-1 p.m. in Aliber Hall,  Room 204

For additional information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

In December, Drake welcomed seven full-time staff members:

Raymond Fredregill, Multimedia Engineer, SJMC
Michael Kline, Student Records Specialist, Registrar’s Office
Karley Cole, Teacher Associate, Head Start
Tara Dake, Teacher Associate Substitute, Head Start
Marsha Rickertsen, Teacher Associate Substitute, Head Start
Brian Hardin, Athletic Director, Athletics
Rachel Butler, Assistant Director, Admissions Regional, Office of Admission

— Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

At Drake, we recognize how important it is for our employees to keep healthy. We also realize the importance of offering opportunities to make a difference in your well-being.

Therefore, we are conducting a faculty and staff interest survey to determine your interest in participating in worksite wellness programs. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to provide programs, presentations, and activities that meet your needs.

Please help us improve our offerings by taking a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Thank you in advance for your participation.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of making healthier choices. If your goals include losing weight, Weight Watchers at Work may be the solution.

Weight Watchers at Work offers weekly, 30-minute meetings, including a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting. The program’s mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meeting in the workplace have helped faculty and staff to be successful in their weight loss goals.

The program costs $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants. Payment may be made in a lump sum or split into three payments. If you are interested in joining Weight Watchers at Work, beginning in January, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Last month, Drake welcomed six full-time staff members:

Dexter Jacobs, Front-End Web Designer, University Communications
Rodney Will, CPSO 2, Public Safety
Ashley Williams, CPSO 1, Public Safety
Michael Wirth, CPSO 1, Public Safety
Patrick Williams, Grounds Supervisor, Facilities Planning and Management
Lyndi Buckingham-Schutt, Associate Director, Wellness/Nutrition Policy, Harkin Institute

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Do you suffer from chronic headaches or back pain? Have you ever wondered why your body is able to heal some problems so quickly, while others never seem to get back to 100 percent?  Join Dr. David Krohse on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, for the presentation, “How to Stay Young the First 100 Years.”

Attendees will learn the most effective strategies to keep their body healthy and symptom-free, including exercises to reduce neck and back pain.

A free pizza lunch from Biaggi’s will be provided. There are limited seats available, so advance registration is required. To attend, email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Although this session is not listed on the BUILD enrollment form, participants will earn BUILD credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources