Category Archives: HR Information Archive

HR Information Archive

Monthly Motivator: Eat your greens

Many of us need a nudge to try something new or to continue to practice a healthy habit. To make it a bit easier, we are introducing Monthly Motivators. Each month we will introduce a simple wellness challenge. Our August challenge is all about eating your greens. The goal is to eat a green fruit or vegetable every day of the month.

Click here for a copy of this month’s flyer, including a tracking form and more information on the challenge.

Use this as an opportunity to try a new fruit or vegetable. Compete with your co-workers to see who can mark off the most days, share recipes that include a green fruit or vegetable, or have a fruit and vegetable potluck day. Have fun and be on the look-out for the next Monthly Motivator.

Other new offerings on the horizon:

  • Personal training through Recreational Services
  • An online wellness scorecard where you will earn points for making healthy choices and a chance for prizes
  • A variety of wellness challenges

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Upcoming Faculty/Staff Fall 2017 Wellness Classes

The following wellness classes will be held in Olmsted, Rooms 310–311. Contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register for a class. BUILD registration forms will be available soon.

Healthy Eating Made Easy: Sep. 19 at 10 a.m.

Join Lucas Flaherty for a presentation as he shares some easy and quick healthy meal planning ideas. The presentation includes both information on programs such as Blue Apron as well as more traditional tips if you are buying from a grocery store and cooking at home. And, learn about quick, low cost healthy snack options.

Work/Life Balance: Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.

The demands of work and family share importance in our lives but how do we budget our time? Learn how effective life skills can help us make informed decisions and manage our reaction to stress. Develop a blueprint for time management to help sort out what is and isn’t important and help restore balance in everyday life. Johanna Dunlevy from EFR will present.

What Do You Want to Know About Nutrition: Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.

This Q&A session will cover a variety of topics including hidden sugars, anti-inflammatory foods, what to look for in bottled smoothies, losing belly fat, and more. Bring your questions to Lucas Flaherty, registered dietitian, for this fun and informative presentation.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Healthiest State Walk

Grab your walking shoes and join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The walk is part of the Healthiest State Initiative and supports its goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. We will meet at the north entrance of Cowles Library at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 4. All participants will be given a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes. If it rains, we will walk on the indoor track at the Knapp Center. If interested, please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Wellness Screenings

Don’t forget to get complete your wellness screening. Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2018 by completing a biometric screening and online wellness assessment. Choose one of the following options to complete your screening:

  1. Complete a physical (with bloodwork) with your physician by Aug. 31. Your physician’s office must complete, sign, and submit a biometric screening form by Sep. 30.
  2. Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee location July 1 through Sep. 15.
  3. Complete your screening on campus at the Olmsted Center through UnityPoint Health between 6:30 and 10:45 a.m. on one of the following dates: Oct. 4-6, 9, 11, 13, 17, or 19. You can schedule your appointment online starting Sep. 1.

Details, including a copy of the health care provider biometric screening form, a list of participating Hy-Vee stores, an on campus health screening scheduling guide, and a wellness assessment guide, can be found under the employee tab on blueView. For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

10-minute chair massages

Chair massages are back by popular demand. Step away from your work and take a 10-minute break with a relaxing chair massage from Anne Boal, licensed massage therapist.

  • Sep. 20: Cowles Library Collier Heritage Room from 2–4 p.m.
  • Sep. 21: Aliber Hall, Conference Room 204 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Nov. 7: Cline Hall, Conference Room 101 from 2–4 p.m.
  • Nov. 8: Olmsted Center Drake Room from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cost is $10 (correct change cash or check only). One name will be drawn from each month’s event and that person will receive a free 10-minute chair massage. Contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Welcoming new Bulldogs: July 2017

Several faculty and staff joined the Drake family in July:

Jamie Pitlick, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS)

Christopher (Chris) Wing, Director of Assessment, CPHS

Stacy Gnacinski, Assistant Professor, Health Sciences, CPHS

Stanley Paul, Professor, Occupational Therapy, CPHS

Deborah Brewer-Cotlar, Program Coordinator, Robert D. and Billie Ray Center

Christine Black, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Athletics

Denis “Mark” Carroll, Director, Men’s & Women’s Track & Field, Athletics

Alexandra (Ali) Jensen, Residence Hall Coordinator, Residence Life

Kyle Nitz, Campus Public Safety Officer 1, Public Safety

Shannon Hilscher, Instructional Designer, Drake Online

Alma Berber Hernandez, Facility Maintainer III, Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M)

Bryce Bland, Facility Maintainer III, FP&M

Enisa Icagic, Facility Maintainer III, FP&M

Kenneth (Kenny) Blades, Assistant Duty Engineer, FP&M

Emily Schettler, Communications Strategist, Harkin Institute

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Join a walking group

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

HR Information Archive

Wellness screening available now at Hy-Vee, early bird prize offered

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

HR Information Archive

Congratulations BUILD participants and prize winners

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

HR Information Archive

Welcoming new Bulldogs: June 2017

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