Welcome to the monthly Health and Wellness newsletter for UWM employees that highlights various upcoming programs and services that are available to employees. We hope you take advantage of the many opportunities detailed below. Most programs and services are available to employees regardless of enrollment in the State’s group health plan.
Welcome Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager
Tracy Oles joined the UWM HR team on Monday, March 24th as the Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager. Tracy will help oversee employee health and wellness efforts and assist with solutions to improve the culture of care to enhance employee engagement and retention. Tracy is a UWM alum and brings over 25 years of progressive experience in the area of employee health and wellness including past experience as an Associate Professor at UWM in the Department of Kinesiology. Tracy has a track record of working with a variety of stakeholders to advance health and wellness efforts both from within an organization as well as on the vendor side.
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. A virtual benefits review session is scheduled Wednesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 23 from 12:00-1:00pm. Visit the Benefit Review schedule to register and see upcoming sessions:
Earn Your Annual $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive! Register for a Well Wisconsin Biometric Screening
(for employees/spouses enrolled in the State of WI Insurance Program)
A free health screening event is scheduled at the UWM Student Union, Wisconsin Room on April 8 starting at 8:00 A.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, and be in and out in 20 minutes. Appointments are strongly recommended, and walk-ins will be accommodated if the schedule allows.
Well Wisconsin Biometric Screening April 8, 2025
Complete the biometric health screening, along with the health assessment and well-being activity, by October 17, 2025 to earn the annual $150 Well Wisconsin incentive. If you cannot attend the UWM health screening on April 8, additional screenings are available in the Milwaukee area.
To see the schedule and register for a screening, visit the WebMD Health portal, go to the benefits page, and select the biometric screening tile.
Mental Health Series
The department of Human Resources is offering a Mental Health Series of webinars and onsite education sessions to better support UWM employees. Below are upcoming sessions that are scheduled as part of the series.
Emotional Intelligence, UWM Student Union, room 240, April 8 at 12:00 P.M.Canceled- Mindfulness Under the Stars, UWM Planetarium, April 9 at 12:30 P.M., Register
- Reflect and Renew 6-week Challenge (Focus on a different part of your emotional health), Register by April 23, Select the challenge from the MyHealth page, Register
- Befriending Anxiety, May 8 at 12:00 P.M., Register
- Fear and Anxiety Moving Forward, May 14 at 12:30 P.M., Register
- Wellness from Within Activities Bring Balance to your Emotional Wellbeing with the following virtual events:
Wellbeing Webinars & Workshops
All employees can participate in additional webinars/events that are offered this month and beyond. See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for additional information and to register.
Universities of Wisconsin Webinars
- Eating Right and on the Run on a Budget, April 9 at 12:30 P.M., Register
- Women and Investing, April 16 at 10:00 A.M., Information and Registration
- Healthier Starts with You (Learn about Well Wisconsin Resources), April 16 at 12:00 P.M., Register
- Wellness from Within Activity: Knit Together, April 25 at 12:00 P.M., Register
- Taco Tuesday Cooking Class, April 29 at 12:00 P.M., Register
- Well Wisconsin Book Club, Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything, Register by April 30. Virtual meetings start June 4 and 5, Register
- DASH Diet for Heart Health, 6 Week Class, May 14-June 18 at 12:00 P.M., Register
Virtual Fitness Classes
Well Wisconsin offers virtual fitness classes that are open to all employees. There are a variety of classes underway and new classes starting periodically.
- Core Strength for Back Care 6-week class, March 10-April 14 at 4:00 P.M., Register
- HIIT Series Fitness 4-week class, April 23-May 14 at 12:00 P.M., Register
- Pilates 4-week class, April 29-May 20 at 4:00P.M., Register
If you are unable to attend a fitness class, visit the on-demand library of recordings and workout when it fits your schedule. Visit the Well WI Group Fitness web page for recorded classes.
Wag More Wednesdays at the UWM Library April 2, 16 & 30
Therapy dogs will be at the UWM Daniel M. Soref 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 on the UWM Libraries Services & Outreach web page.
UWM Libraries Services & Outreach
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Acentra Health
UWM’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
- sowi.mylifeexpert.com (password: SOWI)
EAP Webinars
- Eating Right and on the Run on a Budget, April 9 at 12:30 P.M., Register, Webinar Flyer, Tip Sheet
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, and meQuilibrium–a stress and resiliency program.
Well Wisconsin Mental Health Flyer
Financial Wellness Offerings
Multiple financial webinars are offered each month on a variety of topics. See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for additional information and to register.
Universities of Wisconsin Webinars
Women and Investing, April 16 at 10:00 A.M.
Women continue to be at a greater risk than men in terms of not achieving a financially secure retirement. According to a recent national study, 42% of women are not confident they will be able to fully retire with a comfortable lifestyle.
24 Facts About Women’s Retirement Outlook
Along with a WRS pension, a supplemental retirement savings plan like the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program (WDC) is equally important for WRS members to grow their personal savings and attain a financially comfortable and secure retirement. The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation program will host a 30-minute webinar on “Women and Investing” that aims for WRS members — both WDC participants and non-participants — to build more confidence about their financial future.
Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program
America Saves Week: Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11, 2025
The Universities of Wisconsin is committed to promoting financial well-being by providing employees with resources to help them achieve their savings goals. The UWs are proud to be a participant of America Saves Week and coordinate events for employees at no cost. Below are links to events during America Saves Week and other financial resources.
Universities of Wisconsin America Saves Week
- Events and Event Descriptions: Descriptions of events.
- Credit Check Up & Individual Counseling Registration: Includes registration information for express credit checkups (limited sessions available) and individual financial counseling sessions. Also includes information about how to schedule a personalized legal or financial consultation.
- Webinar Registration: Links to webinars.
- Partners: Background information on participating partners.
- Resources: Links to financial wellness materials, including several interactive tools!
UWM 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, UWM 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.
Self-enroll in the Canvas course
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.
Wellness Wednesdays through Campus Cares
Subscribe to a bi-weekly newsletter from the Campus Cares group.
Subscribe to the Wellness Wednesday newsletter
Safety Training
A variety of safety related trainings are available to UWM employees. Please visit the UWM Police Department’s web page below for an upcoming list of training opportunities.
UWM WWHEL
The UWM WWHEL chapter aims to positively impact the growth of current and aspiring leaders by providing professional development and networking opportunities. The UWM chapter is organized by a steering committee made up of volunteers who meet regularly to plan events, communications, and activities that support our mission. All UWM employees in every job category who self-identify as a woman are included in our chapter’s membership.
The Power of Intellectual Joy with Melissa M. Shew, PhD
Dr. Melissa Shew will share practical strategies from her research on improving women’s joy at work and lead us in engaging discussions on how to apply these insights to uplift and support other women in the workplace. Drawing from a wide range of disciplines and studies, she will discuss why organizations of all kinds should care about intellectual joy for women at work, barriers that keep this joy from happening, and what we can do about that. You don’t want to miss this insightful and empowering session!
The Power of Intellectual Joy for the Future of Women at Work
Register to attend by April 1.
- Golda Meir Library 4th floor conference center and Online, April 8, from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Support U Workshop
The Dean of Students Office is offering a “Support U Workshop: Fostering a Culture of Support at UWM.” Attendees will learn tools to identify and support students who may be experiencing challenges or crises. You’ll also learn about how to make referrals, seek assistance, and connect students to the Dean of Students Office Case Managers as well as campus and community resources. This workshop is good for those newer to UWM and/or those wanting to learn more about the support functions of the Dean of Students Office. More information and registration can be found on the Dean of Student’s web page below.
- Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, room 107, April 18, from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.