Walking at any speed is good for your health. It is low impact and doesn’t require equipment. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and possibly a walking partner.

Beside the health benefits, a brisk walk can help clear your mind on a stressful day and help to decrease your waistline at the same time. Walking on a regular basis can help to improve your mood and self-esteem, which could lead to a happier and longer life for you!

If you would like to join a walking group at Drake, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. There is currently interest in Mondays and Fridays at noon.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

If you are on Drake’s health plan, you can save approximately $300 by simply completing a biometric screening and an online wellness assessment this year. Think what you could do with an extra $300!

There are three screening options:

• Complete a screening with your physician and have your doctor fill out a Physician Wellness Screening Results Form. This option is available through Aug. 31.
• Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee. This option is available now through Sept. 15.
• Complete your screening on campus through UnityPoint Health. The on campus dates are Oct. 4–6, 9, 11, 13, 17, and 19.

There are a set number of spaces available for the on campus screenings so employees are encouraged to consider going to their physician or using the Hy-Vee option. If you complete your screening and the online assessment at www.wellmark.com by Sept. 30, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an early bird prize. Winners will get to choose a prize of their choice from an online wellness catalog. The drawing includes those who have already completed their screening and assessment this year.

Additional information about this year’s biometric screenings and wellness assessments (including copies of the Physician Wellness Screening Results Form) can be found under the Employee tab on blueView.  The Wellness Portal is on the right-hand side of the employee page.

Please note that you must complete a biometric screening and wellness assessment annually to retain your wellness premium discount.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

The results have been tabulated: During the past year, 242 faculty and staff participated in at least one Bulldogs United In Learning Drake (BUILD) session and 42 employees earned digital badges.

Bulldogs United In Learning Drake (BUILD) sessions are available to all faculty and staff.  These sessions, lasting from 1 to 3 hours, assist individuals with learning a new skill, improving health, or strengthening professional knowledge. Based on the credit levels of the sessions, individuals work toward digital badges, which demonstrate their commitment to learning.

Congratulations to the following individuals for earning a digital badge during the 2016-2017 BUILD program!  Digital badges will be distributed via email.

• Level 1 Badges: John Amato, Linda Anderzhon, Lauren Beal, Hannah Bildstein, Alice Cronin, Caron Findlay, Nancy Geiger, James Gieseke, Victoria Haugen, Marlene Heuertz, Linda Judd, Lora Kracht, Gloria Lawless, Kevin Moran, Cookie Moran, Leslie Noble, Melissa Rice, Judy Russell, Mary Sanders, Pamyla Stewart, Jolaine Sweiger, and Valerie Thacker.
• Level 2 Badges: Tammy Agey, Stephanie Cardwell, Chris Ditter, Patsy Johnson, Heidi Kramer, Lynn McCool, Leslie Merriman, Madeline Mongar-Brodie, Lisa Murphy, Jenny Reitano, Shari Tenney, and Kodee Wright.
• Level 3 Badges: Sonja Brightwell, Marilea Chase, Wendy Diekema, Linda Feiden, Dianna Gray, Brandi Miller, Jeannie Nielsen, and Deb Wiley.

Additionally, two names were randomly drawn from those who attended at least one BUILD class. The winners are Gloria Lawless and Jenny Reitano.  Each will receive an email with a link to a catalog where they may select a prize of their choice.

If you have suggestions for sessions for the 2017–2018 BUILD program or would like additional information, please contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu.  The program will be available this fall through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development channel.  Watch the HR Monthly Minute for the registration announcement.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Several faculty and staff joined the Drake family in June:

Michael Nelson, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS)
Michael Daly, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, CPHS
Kelsee Hove, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, CPHS
Yolanda Griffiths, Professor, Occupational Therapy, CPHS
Aaron Katsuma, Coordinator, Men’s Basketball Ops., Athletics
Kaleb Schultz, CPSO 1, Public Safety
Elizabeth Walters, EHS Toddler Teacher, Head Start
Regina Nellis-Becke, EHS Toddler Teacher Associate, Head Start
Naomi Rueger, Administrative Assistant, Office of Admission
Brooke Axiotis, Director, Academic Success, Law School
Ashton Hockman, Assistant Director, Campus Relations, University Communications
Jason Nunemaker, Assistant Director, Digital Communications, University Communications
Danielle (Dani) Edler, Senior Strategist, Digital Communications, University Communications
Daniel Connolly, Dean, CBPA

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Drake Wellness is conducting body compositions analyses free for faculty and staff this summer through Aug. 1.

A body composition analysis breaks down the percentage of body weight by estimating both adipose weight and lean weight. This information is useful in determining certain health risk factors. Testing will be performed using the new InBody 270 analyzer. You will leave knowing your basal metabolic rate and body fat percentage and the national standards for these measurements.
To schedule an appointment, email wellness@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Walking at any speed is good for your health. It is low impact and doesn’t require equipment. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and possibly a walking partner.

Beside the health benefits, a brisk walk can help clear your mind on a stressful day and decrease your waistline at the same time. Walking on a regular basis can improve your mood and self-esteem, which could lead to a happier and longer life for you!

If you would like to form a walking group this summer at Drake, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Step away from your work and take a 10-minute vacation with a relaxing chair massage.

On June 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room (upper level), licensed massage therapist Anne Boal will be giving chair massages. Cost is $10 for a 10-minute chair massage paid directly to Anne Boal at the time of your appointment. Exact cash or check only please.

Beside the benefit of washing away some stress and re-energizing your day, one name will be drawn after this event to receive a gift certificate for a free 10-minute chair massage!

Click HERE to select your appointment time. You may register for one or two time slots.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Several staff members joined the Drake family in May:

Britney Samuleson, Administrative Assistant 2, The Harkin Institute
Nathan Jones, CPSO 2, Public Safety
Tad Stansberry, CPSO 1, Public Safety
Heidi Knobloch, Administrative Assistant 2, Dean of Students
Scott Valentine, Electrician, Facilities Planning & Management
Jill Burkle, Staff Accountant, Finance & Administration
Breanna Schwarz, Teacher Associate Substitute, Head Start
Ronald West, Campus Technician, Information Technology Services

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources