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

Drake’s annual open enrollment period for the 2018 plan year ends this Thursday, Nov. 30.

Complete a new enrollment form if:

• You wish to participate in Drake’s flexible spending account plans during 2018.
• You wish to make a change to your current medical, dental, or wellness elections.

If you wish to continue your current medical, dental, or wellness elections, you do not need to do anything; your participation will automatically continue.

Completed forms may be hand-delivered to Human Resources (3206 University Ave.), submitted via USPS/campus mail, faxed to 515-271-4546, or emailed to drakehr@drake.edu.  Enrollment forms are located in the Forms Library on the Employee Tab in blueView. All forms must be received by Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Marlene Huertz, Human Resources

Faculty and staff are invited to attend upcoming BUILD programs to pursue lifelong learning with professional development, while connecting with colleagues from across campus. To register or for more information on the sessions, contact Debra Wiley at debra.wiley@drake.edu.

EI, EQ, and Me

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize emotions in ourselves and others, correctly identify and differentiate between various feelings, and use our understanding to guide our own behaviors and thinking, which in turn, helps us achieve our individual and group goals. While IQ is generally fixed, EQ is something that can be enhanced and developed. Join Chad Cardani-Trollinger, visiting professor of leadership education and development, on Nov. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311 to discover how to enhance your emotional intelligence.

Mies/Weese at Drake: Where We Live and Work

Please join Dr. Maura Lyons, professor of art, and student curators on Dec. 5 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Anderson Gallery with a presentation on the architecture of Drake. Attendees will tour the gallery exhibit and gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and significance of the art that surrounds us.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Drake’s annual open enrollment period for the 2018 plan year ends Nov. 30. Complete a new enrollment form if:

• You wish to participate in Drake’s flexible spending account plans during 2018.
• You wish to make a change to your current medical, dental, or wellness elections.

If you wish to continue your current medical, dental, or wellness elections, you do not need to do anything; your participation will automatically continue.

Completed forms may be hand-delivered to Human Resources (3206 University Avenue), submitted via USPS/campus mail, faxed to 515-271-4546, or emailed to drakehr@drake.edu.  Enrollment forms are located in the Forms Library on the Employee Tab in blueView. All forms must be received by Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Marlene Huertz, Human Resources

For those faculty and staff who have completed their wellness screenings, don’t forget to complete your online assessment through Wellmark by Nov. 17. You must complete the online assessment in addition to the wellness screening to receive the wellness premium discount, which is a savings of approximately $300 in 2018.

To complete your online wellness assessment, log into wellmark.com, go to the Wellness Center, and click on Take Your Wellness Assessment or Retake Your Wellness Assessment. If you don’t see either of these, click the Healthy Living tab at the top of the page and then click Wellness Assessment from the drop down menu.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

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

Monique Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant, Arts & Sciences

Aamir Walton, Major Gift Officer, University Advancement

Timothy Tesar, Major Gift Officer, University Advancement

Kelly Bakke, Head Start Teacher Associate, Head Start

Mariah Mohler, Public Safety Dispatcher, Public Safety

Doris Brunnette, Administrative Assistant, School of Education

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

An overview of upcoming benefit plan changes will be provided by Mark J. Becker, Drake benefit consultant, today at 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310. Wellmark representatives will also demonstrate how to conduct cost comparisons and prescription drug searches on the Wellmark website during the meeting.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Holiday Trimmings is a six-week program designed to encourage you to maintain or lose weight over the holiday season. If you have trouble dodging festive yet fattening foods, like pecan pie, sausage stuffing, and egg nog, this challenge is for you.

Beginning and ending weights will be recorded, and throughout the challenge you will receive healthy holiday tips. Everyone who maintains or loses weight will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

For more information, or to register to participate, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Holiday Trimmings.”  Deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 16.

A packet of information will be sent to those who register. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, Nov. 20.

Let’s make this a happy and healthy holiday season!

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources