High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms, yet inflicts serious damage to the body. Left untreated, it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other potentially fatal conditions.

Join us on Monday, March 20, at 10 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, to find out what your blood pressure numbers mean, ways to reduce your risk, and more. Heart healthy snacks will be provided, and all attendees will have an opportunity after the presentation to have their blood pressure checked. Presentation and BP checks will be provided by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register for this presentation. You will earn one BUILD credit for attending.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Are you looking for a fun way to be active this summer? Then the Des Moines Corporate Games may be perfect for you! You can participate in one or more events. Some are team based. Others are individual. Some are competitive and others non-competitive. And they cater to all fitness levels. AND, it won’t cost you anything (except renting a golf cart or bowling shoes if you participate in those events)!

The Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) will run from June 1 to July 31. All events are held after work or on weekends. Drake will be competing against other companies in our division. We earn points by simply participating in some events and being one of the top finishers in others. Many events also award medals to the top finishers. At the conclusion of the Des Moines Corporate Games, the coveted Corporate Cup will be awarded to the winner of each division. Below is a list of the sports and events that will be offered:

• Bags*
• Basketball – 3 on 3*
• Basketball – Hot Shot*
• Blood Donation Challenge
• Bowling*
• Burst Your Thirst Challenge
• Cross Country Race – 4K & 8K Cycling Tour Ride
• Disc Golf*
• Dodgeball*
• Duathlon Fitness Walk (Ames & Des Moines)
• Golf – 4 person best shot*
• Kickball*
• Mud Run
• Road Race – 5K
• Sand Volleyball*
• Spikeball*
• Track & Field*
• Triathlon
•  Tug of War*
• Ultimate*
• Yoga
• Zumba (Ames & Des Moines)

*These sports have limited entries for companies. Declaring your interest does not guarantee you will compete in this sport or event.

We need as many people as possible to be part of these games and show our Drake pride! Do you see any sports or events you can participate in to help Drake take home the coveted Corporate Cup? Please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information and registration instructions. To find out more details on each sport/event go to www.dmcorporategames.org.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Eight staff members joined the Drake family in February.

• Kristina Brewster, Project Manager/Business Process Analyst, Information Technology Services
• Drinda Williams, Administrative Assistant, Provost’s Office
• Brandon Foley, Administrative Assistant, Head Start
• Mary McAtee, Health & Nutrition Assistant, Head Start
• Michelle Huggins, Planning & Design Manager, Facilities Planning & Management (FPM)
• Olive “Jean” Myers, Facility Maintainer III, FPM
• Steve Heston, Facility Maintainer III, FPM
• Robert Quigley, Security Specialist, Public Safety

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

So what is Peerceive? Peerceive is an online peer-to-peer recognition program where co-workers and managers come together to recognize each other for their great work. Employees will be given a user name and password to access their dashboard.

The Peerceive dashboard includes easy-to-use tools to send electronic kudos or e-cards. Kudos are a way for co-workers to express gratitude for a unique contribution to the workplace. You can send them as often as you deem worthy and to any employee in any department. E-cards are an electronic version of a hand-written note. Use these to wish another employee a happy birthday, a general “congratulations,” or even a get well soon.

Everyone will have the ability to modify their personal settings so you can decide if you wish to receive an email notification when you have a kudos and/or e-card and whether you wish to be notified immediately or only on certain days at a particular time.

The Peerceive program is scheduled to be rolled out in March so be on the lookout for more information soon!

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

At one time or another, nearly everyone is touched by the need for long-term care; whether through an aging parent confined to a nursing home, a disabled friend, or a chronically ill relative receiving care at home. Although more than 40 percent of people require care in a nursing home, most long-term care provided in a nursing home is not covered by Medicare.

To learn more about long-term care insurance, plan to attend this presentation provided by Ronda Vry-Bills of Long Term Care Strategies. Registration is not required.

Date: March 2
Time: 2–3 p.m.
Location: Olmsted Center, Room 310

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Please join us in a highly interactive and fun session focused on three key components of creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ individuals:

Common Terminology and Phrases: Ever wonder: “What does LGBTQ stand for?” or “Can I use the word ‘queer?’” or “What pronouns should I use for a transgender person?”

Skill Development and Practice: Engage in real-life office and work-day scenarios, and discuss best practices for engaging productively.

Bystander Intervention: Leave equipped with skills to diffuse negative situations and to foster/facilitate dialogue. Example: a student says “I don’t understand how people can be transgender,” or a colleague says they don’t feel comfortable engaging LGBTQ students, what can you do?

Join Tony Tyler, director, student engagement, equity, and inclusion (team lead) on March 8 in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to talk, listen, and ask questions! Registration is not required, but is helpful.  To do so, please email: debra.wiley@drake.edu.

—Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Whether you are just beginning your weight loss journey or have been struggling for years, Profile may be able to help you meet your goals. A weight loss coach will help you develop a plan to not only lose weight, but also incorporate positive nutrition, activity, and lifestyle behaviors, enabling you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition, you will be given a scale that electronically transmits your weight to your Profile coach from the privacy of your home.

If you are interested in more information about this program, including costs, join us Tuesday, March 7, at 10 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311. To attend this event, please RSVP to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Several staff members joined the Drake family in January:

Aaron Edwards, Buildings and Grounds Manager, Facilities Planning and Management
Jordan Curran, Grounds Worker II, Facilities Planning and Management
Carmalee Woods, Administrative Assistant, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS)
Mikayla Olson, Administrative Assistant/Communications Coordinator, CPHS
Sydni Fenner, Assistant Director of Admission and Student Affairs, CPHS
Cory Redman, Laboratory Instructor, CPHS
Alicia Hilligas, Assistant Director of Law Admission and Diversity Initiatives, Law School
Meredith Ponder, Digital Communications Specialist, University Communications
Karen Williams, Education Abroad Advisor, Drake International
Paul Gibbs, Assistant Tennis Coach, Athletics
Tonya Gordon, Teacher Associate Substitute, Head Start

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Step away from your worries and take a 10-minute vacation with a relaxing chair massage. On Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cline Hall, Room 101, and March 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Room 204, 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. Correct change cash or check only. One name will be drawn after the event and that person will receive a gift certificate for a free 10-minute chair massage!

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

• Feb. 28 (11 a.m.–1 p.m., Cline Hall, Room 101)
• March 1 (2–4 p.m., Aliber Hall, Room 204)

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

If you have ever tried to read a food nutrition label, determine how big a serving of meat really is, or wondered how to eat healthy at a restaurant, this series is for you.

Join dietitian Lucas Flaherty along with wellness coach Ellen Lowe for the third class of this four-part nutrition series on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 312/313. This class covers exercise and protein + water. Attendance at prior Healthy4U sessions is not required.

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 may be found at www.drake.edu/hr-internal/learningdevelopment/build/ .

After class, walk over to Parents Hall for the All Staff Council Spring Wellness Event! Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources