As we announced in August, Drake is partnering with the company Royal Recognition, Inc. in celebration of our faculty and staff as they reach many milestones in their years of service to the University. With this new collaboration, we now have access to a platform that automates service anniversary and retiree gifts. This allows all employees celebrating their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35+ year anniversaries, and retirees to choose their gift of choice from an expansive online catalog.

Employees receive an ecard on or about their service anniversary or retiree date with information on how to select their gift, which is then mailed to their home. Employees with 20, 25, 30, 35+ year anniversaries and retirees will still be recognized at our annual anniversary and retiree event in the spring.

This new online platform has taken the place of the current award system and is effective with all service anniversaries and retirements on or after Sept. 5, 2016. So far the response from employees has been positive. An employee who recently celebrated a service anniversary said “The service anniversary gifts look great, and I was impressed with the wide selection of items.”

We look forward to what the future has in store for our organization and all of our dedicated employees. For more information, contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

Now, more than ever, it is imperative you have the information necessary to plan effectively for your retirement. Join us Thursday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310-11, for a step-by-step overview of Drake’s retirement plans. Paige Cook with TIAA will help you get a head start by explaining how TIAA can help you create an effective retirement strategy.

Attendees will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.

For more information, please contact Marlene Heuertz at marlene.heuertz@drake.edu.

—Marlene Heuertz, Associate Director, Benefits

While the deadline to have your biometric screening completed at Hy-Vee or with your physician has passed, you can still schedule a free on-campus biometric screening.

These screenings will be held between 6:30 and 10:45 a.m. in the lower level of the Olmsted Center on Oct. 6–7, 12–14, and 18–20. To schedule your screening, click here. Sign in with username DRAKE and password SCREEN (all CAPS). Find additional information in the On-campus Health Screening Scheduling Guide.

Did you sign up for an on-campus screening but don’t remember your appointment date/time? Check your received, spam, or deleted emails for an email confirmation sent to you by UnityPoint with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation. It will be sent to the email address you entered on your registration. Questions regarding the on-campus UnityPoint screenings should be sent to unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com.

If you need to cancel your on-campus screening, send an email to jennifer.umphfleet@unitypoint.org with your name and date and time of cancelled appointment. You will need to re-register online for a new appointment. Changes can be made up to 48 hours prior to the screen time if slots are still available.

If you completed your screening through your physician, the physician forms must be submitted by Sept. 30 to the fax number on the form.

If you have already completed your biometric screening, don’t forget to complete your online wellness assessment on wellmark.com by Nov. 15.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden, assistant director, wellness & engagement, at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Linda Feiden

Sign up to receive your flu shot! Human Resources has purchased 200 doses of flu vaccine to be provided at no cost to the first 200 faculty and staff that sign up for an appointment on Oct. 14, 21, 31, and Nov. 2. Different from years past, individuals will need to sign up for a flu shot appointment online.

This year, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences student pharmacists and faculty will be holding the flu shot clinics on campus in Harvey Ingham, Room 107. Flu shots will be administered in private rooms.

You will receive an email the day before your scheduled appointment outlining the following details:

• Wear a shirt/blouse that will allow access to your upper arm (this is where the vaccine will be administered).
• Please print and fill out the immunization screening form attached to the email. Bring the form with you to your flu shot appointment.
• You must bring your Drake Card to your appointment.

If you have any questions regarding the flu shots, please contact CPHS.wellness@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

If you are on Drake’s health plan and wish to receive the wellness premium incentive in 2017, you must complete a biometric screening and online wellness assessment in 2016. This will save you approximately $300, so take action now!

The Hy-Vee screening option ends this Thursday, Sept. 15. If you haven’t completed a biometric screening yet and wish to be included in the EARLY BIRD drawing, make sure you contact Hy-Vee and make your appointment this week. Everyone who completes their screening and online assessment by Sept. 30 will have a chance to win a $50 gift card. A list of participating Hy-Vee locations can be found here. Screening is free (no co-pay).

The online registration is now open for the UnityPoint on campus screenings. To guarantee a slot, we recommend you register early. These screenings will be held between 6:30 and 10:45 a.m. in the lower level of the Olmsted Center on Oct. 6–7, 12–14, and 18–20. To schedule your screening, click here. Sign in with username DRAKE and password SCREEN (all CAPS). Find additional information in the On-campus Health Screening Scheduling Guide.

Did you sign up for an on-campus screening but don’t remember your appointment date/time? Check your received, spam, or deleted emails for an email confirmation sent to you by UnityPoint with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation. It will be sent to the email address you entered on your registration. Questions regarding the on-campus UnityPoint screenings should be sent to unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com.

If you need to cancel your on-campus screening, send an email to jennifer.umphfleet@unitypoint.org with your name and date and time of cancelled appointment. You will need to re-register online for a new appointment. Changes can be made up to 48 hours prior to the screen time if slots are still available.

If you completed your screening through your physician, the physician forms must be submitted by Sept. 30 to the fax number on the form.

If you have already completed your biometric screening, don’t forget to complete your online wellness assessment on wellmark.com by Nov. 15.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden, assistant director, wellness & engagement, at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Linda Feiden

Several new faculty and staff joined Drake in August:

Heidi Mannetter, College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA)
Sami Khedhiri, CBPA
Marcia Laugerman, CBPA
Lynn McCool, CBPA
Yu-Hsiang (John) Huang, CBPA
Brian Vander Naald, CBPA
Joshua Cox, College of Arts & Sciences (A&S)
Brian Spears, A&S
Kyle McCord, A&S
Yasmina Madden, A&S
Bryan Murray, A&S
Emmanuel Asante-Asamani, A&S
Shauna Marvin, A&S
En Li, A&S
Adam Case, A&S
Daria Trentini, A&S
Terrance Pendleton, A&S
Gregory Lengel, A&S
Kieran Williams, A&S
Christopher Porter, A&S
Lindsay Weiss, A&S
Meredith Luttrell, A&S
Britany Bollhorst, A&S
Callie Krueger, A&S
Robert Schwartz, A&S
Tom Davis, School of Education (SOE)
Jennifer Thoma, SOE
Jesse Wilcox, SOE
Jonathan Hurdelbrink, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Julie Smith, Law School
Anne Kremer, Office of Admission
Joseph Campos, Dean of Students
Matt Nemmers, Dean of Students
Taylor Young, Athletics
Joshua Zabel, Athletics
Leah Groe, Athletics
Austin Farley, Athletics
Mai-Ly Tran, Athletics
Joseph Jones, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement
Samantha Becker, Cowles Library
Jennifer Page, Head Start
Lora Kracht, Head Start
Nicole Metz, Head Start
Allison Harrington, Head Start
Jennifer McCullough, Head Start
Sarah Ramsey, President’s Office
David Remund, University Advancement
Mitchell Stearns, Institutional Advancement

—Human Resources

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the nasal spray flu vaccine or FluMist, should not be used during the 2016–2017 flu season. The CDC recommendation was made after recent studies showed FluMist was not effective against the flu.

To ensure Drake Medical Plan participants receive the most effective preventive treatment during the upcoming flu season, Wellmark will no longer cover the nasal spray vaccine formulation, effective July 1, 2016. The injectable vaccine, however, will continue to be covered under the Drake Medical Plan.

Should you have questions regarding this change, please contact Wellmark at 800-362-2230.

—Marlene Heuertz, Associate Director, Benefits

Drake offers many opportunities for new and established faculty and staff. This semester the University is introducing a series of “Did U Know” classes that will spotlight departments and services across campus.

Join us Thursday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. in the Paul Morrison Room (Bell Center) for our first session highlighting Drake Athletics and Recreational Services. It will feature a presentation about fitness and athletics opportunities, including ticket information and faculty/staff days, as well as a tour of the Bell Center, the Knapp Center and Shivers Basketball Practice Facility.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester. Look for an online BUILD registration form soon.

For more information, please contact Cindy Adams at cindy.adams@drake.edu or Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

Snooze & Lose presentation
Do you ever wonder why you feel so exhausted during the day but can’t seem to fall to sleep at night? Have you struggled to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight? Our sleep habits affect more than just how alert we are during the day. They influence how we communicate and interact with others, how much stress we feel, and even our hormones, which can cause a series of other health-related concerns. Learn how to gauge if you’re sleeping enough and how you can improve the quality of your sleep.

Join us Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311 for this important topic.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester. Look for an online BUILD registration form soon.

Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information on how to register for this class.

Healthy4U—Small Changes, Big Impact
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 class is for you.

Join dietitian Lucas Flaherty for this four-part nutrition series. You may attend individual classes or the full series. The first class is Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 312/313. It covers fad diets, portion control, MyPlate, behavior modification, and tools for change.

Future classes will cover carbohydrates/fiber, fat/cholesterol/triglycerides, exercise and protein + water, labels, menu planning, grocery shopping, and dining out.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester. Look for an online BUILD registration form soon.

Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information on how to register for this class.

$10 chair massages
Step away from your worries and take a 10-minute vacation with a relaxing chair massage. On Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Conference Room 204, and Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cline Hall, Conference Room 127, 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 registration sheet.
Sept. 28 (2–4 p.m., Aliber Hall, Room 204)
Sept. 29 (11 a.m.–1 p.m., Cline Hall, Room 127)

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

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

Drake is offering faculty and staff free access to the online financial training program 2016 Financial Fitness Challenge through the Financial Fitness Group and funded by the Iowa Insurance Division. This Financial Fitness Academy™ is an easy and fun way to learn how to improve your unique financial situation. You may complete the program at your own pace. It is simple and convenient with 24/7 access on all internet-connected smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Once enrolled you will complete a 10-minute confidential Financial Fitness Checkup™.  Based on your results you will receive some learning recommendations but you ultimately choose what is most interesting to you. There are more than 400 Academy™ tutorials to choose from covering budgeting, saving, the basics of investing, retirement planning, financial planning, and much more. You may complete as many tutorials as you wish during this eight-week program—no limits. At the end of the program you will complete another Checkup™ to track your progress. All responses are kept private and confidential.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu by Friday, Sept. 9.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement