Welcome to the monthly Health and Wellness newsletter for 51ÁÔĆć employees that highlights various upcoming programs and services that are available to employees. We hope you take advantage of the many opportunities detailed below. Visit the Employee Wellness Website to learn about wellbeing resources and upcoming programs.
Wellness Programs and Resources
Employee Appreciation Survey
Thank you to all the employees who participated in events and activities during employee appreciation week. We are gathering feedback to inform planning for next year’s event. This is your last opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences before the survey closes.
Benefit Review Sessions for New Employees
New employees are encouraged to attend a benefit review session to learn about their comprehensive benefits package and how to enroll within the 30-day enrollment window. Virtual benefits review sessions are scheduled regularly. Visit the Benefits Reviews web page to learn more and register for upcoming sessions.
- April 1, 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.,
- April 22, 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.,
Register for a Well Wisconsin Biometric Screening & Earn Your Annual $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive!
Two free onsite health screening events are scheduled at the 51ÁÔĆć Student Union Wisconsin Room, on April 21, from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., or May 11 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. for employees (and spouses) enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program. At the onsite screening, participants will learn their measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose.
Complete the onsite health screening, along with the health assessment and well-being activity, by October 16, 2026, to earn the annual $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.
Follow these steps to register for an appointment:
- Log in to your WebMD Health portal.
- Click “My Benefits” at the top of the screen.
- Scroll to the “Take Action” section.
- On the Biometric Screening card, click “Get Started.”
- Choose “Click here to register” under “Onsite Health Screening” to be directed to the Quest site to reserve your spot.
Walk-in appointments will be accommodated as the schedule allows.
Wellbeing Webinars & Workshops (*51ÁÔĆć Specific)
| Program | Description | Date(s) | Time | Location | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga & Pilates | The restorative yoga series kicks off April 6. Experience this gentle, slow-paced yoga practice. Designed for all fitness levels. | Weekly | 4:00 P.M. | Virtual | |
| Green Campus Walking Tour* | Get outside and explore the many sustainable features of the 51ÁÔĆć campus. Join this interactive, informative, and fun walk. All levels and abilities welcome! | April 6 | 12:00 P.M. – 12:50 P.M. | Lapham Hall sign on Maryland Ave. | Register |
| Green Campus Walking Tour* | Get outside and explore the many sustainable features of the 51ÁÔĆć campus. Join this interactive, informative, and fun walk. All levels and abilities welcome! | April 28 | 12:00 P.M. – 12:50 P.M. | Lapham Hall sign on Maryland Ave. | Register |
| 51ÁÔĆćidday Reset Series* | Take 15 minutes to calm your mind, release tension, and help regain focus for the rest of your day. | April 7, 16, 23, and 29 | Varies | Virtual | Register |
| Intro to Mindfulness* | Mindfulness is simple, but not easy. This 4-week mindfulness class helps to achieve less stress, better sleep, less self-judgement and mindfulness. | April 7 – 28 | 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. | Union 183 | Register |
| Mindfulness Under the Stars* | Take a break for 30 minutes of guided mindfulness and stargazing activities. | April 7 | 12:30 P.M. | 51ÁÔĆć Planetarium (PHY 139) | Register |
| Caring for Aging Loved Ones | Learn practical guidance on creating a more collaborative, family-centered approach to caregiving | April 8 | 12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. | Virtual | |
| High Intensity Interval Training | Develop strength and increase fitness through specifically programmed periods of work and rest. Classes are dynamic, fast paced and challenging. | April 8 – 29 | 4:30 P.M. | Virtual | |
| New Beginnings – Resolution Reset* | Reflect on your goals, identify barriers, reset motivation, and create a realistic plan to move forward. Approved as an Employer-Sponsored activity for the Well WI program! | April 9 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | |
| Women’s Hormone Help | Learn about hormones and factors that affect women’s health, while discussing lifestyle tips for hormone balance. | April 15 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | |
| Wellness on a Budget* | Learn practical, simple, and affordable ways to support your overall wellness and not break the bank. Attend and receive a gift! | April 17 | 12:00 P.M. | Union 183 | Register |
| Wellness on a Budget* | Learn practical, simple, and affordable ways to support your overall wellness and not break the bank. Attend and receive a gift! | April 22 | 4:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Biometric Screening | Learn your measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose and fulfill your health check activity towards the Well WI incentive. | April 21 | 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. | Union Wisconsin RM | |
| Biometric Screening | Learn your measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose and fulfill your health check activity towards the Well WI incentive. | May 11 | 9:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. | Union Wisconsin RM | |
| Caregiver Awareness and Support | Learn about the state of caregiving and its impact in Wisconsin, review resources and make connections. | May 6 | 3:30 P.M. – 4:15 P.M. | LEC – Jendusa | Register |
| Caregiver Awareness and Support | Learn about the state of caregiving and its impact in Wisconsin, review resources and make connections. | May 22 | 11:00 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Overcoming Burnout | Learn to identify the symptoms of burnout and explore strategies for coping with and avoiding burnout. | May 7 | 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Yoga for Neck Health | Take a 15-minute break for gentle yoga poses and stretches designed to release tension, improve mobility and support a healthy neck. | May 8 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | |
| Lowering Blood Pressure with the DASH Diet | Better understand heart-healthy eating, lower sodium intake, and build sustainable habits that support long-term well-being. | May 13 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | |
| Staying Strong and Resilient | Learn effective strategies to stay strong and maintain a positive outlook while responding to hardships/challenges. | May 13 | 12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. | Virtual |
Employees can participate in additional webinars/events that are offered this month and beyond. See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for webinar information and register via the links.
Employees can also access recorded videos for Well Wisconsin on the web page below.
If you are unable to attend a fitness class, visit the on-demand library of recordings for recorded classes.
NEW 51ÁÔĆć Health Coaching
Create healthy habits, empower inner potential, and accomplish your goals. Sessions are one-on-one and will focus on specific areas of wellbeing that are important to you. Schedule in-person or virtually with Tracy Oles, 51ÁÔĆć Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager and certified health coach. Interested? Fill out the interest form to get started.
America Saves Week is April 6 – 10, 2026
America Saves Week is an annual celebration and a call to action for individuals and families to commit to saving! The Universities of Wisconsin is proud to be a participant of America Saves Week and coordinate events available system-wide at no cost. To learn more, visit:
Financial Wellness Offerings
Multiple financial webinars are offered each month on a variety of topics. Below are examples of programs offered.
- WRS Benefits: For New and Mid-Career Employee
- Additional Contributions
- Understanding Your Annual WRS Statement of Benefits
See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for a full listing and to register.
Blood Pressure Monitor Program
51ÁÔĆć Human Resources offers a home blood pressure monitor program for eligible employees. Employees who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive a free home blood pressure monitor:
- Have documentation of an elevated blood pressure: systolic over 120 and/or a diastolic over 80
- Diagnosis of prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension
To see if you are eligible to receive a blood pressure monitor, contact Tracy Oles at teo@uwm.edu to verify and coordinate pick up in Engelmann Hall.
Kaia Health
Living with pain can slow you down, keeping you from the people and activities you love the most. Well Wisconsin through Kaia Health provides free access to personalized therapy programs for back, shoulders, hips, knees, and more. Log in to your Well Wisconsin portal and locate “Benefits” at top of the page. The Kaia Health widget is housed within the Well Wisconsin portion of the “Benefits” page.
Wag More Wednesdays at the 51ÁÔĆć Library
Therapy dogs will be at the 51ÁÔĆć Library Learning Commons on various Wednesdays each month. This is a great opportunity for employees and students to de-stress and snuggle with a furry friend. Each visit is about one hour. Schedules for upcoming therapy dog visits at the library can be found here:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Acentra Health
51ÁÔĆć’s Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and support services to all employees including both short-term counseling and referrals for additional services. Acentra Health is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Contact Acentra Health:
- 833-539-7285
- (password: SOWI)
EAP Webinars
- Caring for Aging Loved Ones, April 8, 12:30 P.M.,
Additional Mental Health Resources
Employees enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health insurance Plan have access to the following mental health resources through the Well Wisconsin Program/WebMD Wellness portal:
- Mental Health Coaching
- Togetherall, an online mental health community
- meQuilibrium, a stress and resiliency program
51ÁÔĆć Suicide Prevention Training
The Student Health and Wellness Center and the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health encourage faculty and staff to complete Recognize, Respond, Refer Suicide Prevention Training, an interactive, experientially based workshop designed to improve participants’ suicide intervention skills. With each person who completes the training, 51ÁÔĆć develops its network of individuals who are prepared to assist in identifying and supporting individuals in crisis. It’s okay to do Part 1 without Part 2 (though Part 2 is highly recommended).
Part One: Online Training via Canvas — UW-System’s Recognize, Respond, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty and Staff, an asynchronous online training builds awareness, knowledge, and skills about mental health and suicide prevention. The training requires approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Part Two: In-Person Discussion — This 75-minute in-person discussion session builds on the foundational online training by focusing on skills-based practice, scenario discussions, and campus-specific resource/referral information. Time for Q&A is also included.
New Employee Orientation
New Employee Orientation provides new employees with a high-level introduction and overview of 51ÁÔĆć, including the organizational mission, culture and 2030 strategic goals, key areas of focus, and efforts that are underway to create future growth and success. In addition, Human Resources will present important information for new employees including how we strive to foster employee belonging and engagement. New employee orientation is required for all new employees within 90 days of their start date.
- New Employee Orientation, April 21, 8:15 A.M. – 3:00 P.M., 51ÁÔĆć Student Union Room E280, Register
Sustainability
Spring has sprung and Earth Week is almost here. There are lots of opportunities to get outside with the 51ÁÔĆć Office of Sustainability. Upcoming events include:
- Sustainability Sips, April 8, 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M., Union Art Gallery
- Spring Greening, April 18, from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M., Heat Plant Spiral Gardens
Visit the Sustainability web page to learn more and register.
Sustainability Upcoming Events
Safety Training
A variety of safety-related training courses are available to 51ÁÔĆć employees. Please visit the link below for an upcoming list of training opportunities.
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