October Employee Health and Wellness Updates

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. Visit the Employee Wellness Website to learn about wellbeing resources and upcoming programs.

Wellness Programs and Resources


Well Wisconsin Health Screening

Attend the Well Wisconsin health screening on October 6, 2025, in the Student Union Wisconsin Room from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Employees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program are welcome to participate. Discover your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose.

Follow these steps to register for an appointment:

  1. Log in to your portal at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin
  2. Click “My Health”  at the top of the screen
  3. Scroll to the “Take Action” section
  4. On the Biometric Screening card, click “Get Started”
  5. Choose “Click here to register” under “Onsite Health Screening”

Earn Your Annual $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive!

To earn the $150 prepaid card, employees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance program should go to the Well Wisconsin portal and complete the following by October 17, 2025.

  1. Health Assessment

Benefits Open Enrollment

The Benefits Open Enrollment period is October 6 – October 31, 2025! This is an annual opportunity for benefits eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to most benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Benefits Open Enrollment is the only time employees are eligible to make changes without a qualifying life event, such as a family or employment status change. Changes made during open enrollment are effective January 1, 2026. Visit UWM’s Open Enrollment website for more information.

Open Enrollment


Open Enrollment Benefits Fair and Campus Cares Wellness Symposium

UWM HR is partnering with Campus Cares to host an Open Enrollment Benefits Fair with the Campus Cares Wellness Symposium!

Open Enrollment Benefits Fair and Wellness Symposium Flyer

Join us on October 8th for the following:

Benefits Open Enrollment Fair

Student Union, Wisconsin Room

10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.

Employees will find extensive information on benefits offered through our vendor partners and will be able to speak with UWM benefit specialists on open enrollment questions.

Flu Clinic

Student Union, Wisconsin Room

8:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M.

One of three onsite flu clinics offered to UWM employees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

  • You will be required to present your medical ID card at the flu clinic.
  • After you register for your appointment online, complete the digital consent form.

Wellness Fair

Student Union, Wisconsin Room

10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.

Faculty, staff and students can enjoy activities and information regarding their health and wellness, blood pressure checks, including chair massages, pet therapy, giant Jenga, meditation sessions and more.

Stop by the UWM wellness table for fun activities and a chance to win swag!

Campus Cares Symposium

Student Union, Fireside Lounge

Three workshops led by Emily Raclaw, director of Marquette University’s On Your Marq Center, for faculty, staff and students.

  • 11:15 A.M. — 12:00 P.M., Neurodiversity 101: Understanding Minds that Work Differently, a Guide to Empathy, Inclusion and Allyship
  • 12:15 P.M. — 1:00 P.M., Clinical Clarity: Supporting Neurodiverse Minds in Practice

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 October 1, October 21, and November 11 from 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Visit the Benefits Reviews schedule to register for upcoming sessions:

Benefits Reviews


Well Wisconsin Flu Clinics

The Well Wisconsin Program is offering onsite workplace flu clinics including three scheduled at the UWM Student Union. Flu vaccinations are free for UWM employees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

Preregistration is required. To register for your flu vaccination appointment, log into the wellness portal and click “Register Today” on the Flu Vaccination card found in the Benefits portion of the portal.

You will be required to present your medical ID card at the flu clinic. After you register for your appointment online, complete the digital consent form.

Dates and Times of UWM Flu Clinics

  • October 8, 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Student Union, Wisconsin Room
  • October 23, 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., Student Union, Wisconsin Room
  • November 11, 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Student Union, Wisconsin Room

Wellbeing Webinars & Workshops (*UWM Specific)

  • Mindfulness Under the Stars*, October 1 at 1:00 P.M., at the UWM Planetarium, Register
  • Health Aging Series*, October 2 and October 9, at 11:30 A.M., Register
  • Tiny Habits Book Club, register by October 10 so you can receive your book, Register
  • Centering Leadership in Empathy, November 6 at 12:00 P.M., Register
  • Mindfulness Under the Stars*, November 5 at 1:00 P.M., at the UWM Planetarium, Register

All 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.

Universities of Wisconsin Webinars

Employees can also access recorded videos for Well Wisconsin on the web page below.


UWM Campus Connectivity

Give your mind and body a break from work while connecting with the UWM campus community! Meet at the UWM fountain by the library (or rain location in inclement weather) for a group activity and movement exercise such as a short walk or stretching. Come as you are, no special equipment or clothing needed and no registration required, just show up! Open to all abilities and levels.

UWM Fountain

  • October 10 at 12:00 P.M. – Meet at the UWM Fountain (Rain location – Engelmann B38)
  • October 28 at 3:00 P.M. – Meet at the UWM Fountain (Rain location – Engelmann B38)
  • October 28 at 3:00 P.M. – Virtual Event, Register

UWM Onsite Movement Series

Mark your calendars and get ready to move! Join Tracy Oles, UWM Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, for a total body “Try-It” series. Whether you try one or try them all, you will learn, have fun and meet new people from across campus! All levels are welcome. Dress comfortably and bring water and a towel. Check the HR Events Calendar for registration.

HR Events Calendar

  • October 3, 12:00 P.M. – 12:30 P.M., Stretching* at the Library East Wing Contemplation Area
  • October 9, 4:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M., All level HIIT (with no/low impact options)* at the LECWC AmFam Dream Studio
  • October 17, 12:00 P.M. – 12:30 P.M., Core* at the UWM Student Union 191
  • October 23, 4:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M., Dance Fitness at the UWM Student Union 280

* bring a mat


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 start periodically.

  • Slow Flow Yoga, 4-week class series, October 1 at 4:00 P.M., Register
  • Yin Yoga, 4-week class series, October 6 & October 13 at 4:00 P.M., Register
  • Mindfulness Yoga, 4-week class series, October 15, Register

If you are unable to attend a fitness class, visit the on-demand library of recordings for recorded classes.


Kaia Health

Living with pain can slow you down, keeping you from the people and activities you love the most. Well Wisconsin has partnered with Kaia Health to provide full access to personalized therapy programs for back, shoulders, hips, knees, and more at no additional cost to you. 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 UWM Library

Therapy dogs will be at the UWM 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:

Wag More Wednesdays


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:

EAP Webinars

  • Making Decisions as a Family, October 8 at 12:30 P.M., Register
  • Best Practices for Supporting Others, November 12 at 12:30 P.M., Register

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

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).

Suicide Prevention Training

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.


Financial Wellness Offerings

Multiple financial webinars are offered each month on a variety of topics. See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for a full listing and to register.

Universities of Wisconsin Webinars

Examples of upcoming financial webinars include:

Meet with a Financial Consultant at UWM

  • TIAA, October 2, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., in Engelmann 208
    • Register for sessions at tiaa.org/schedulenow or call 800-732-8353 weekdays, 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.

UWM Employee Campus Tour

UWM Human Resources is hosting an employee campus tour on October 24 from 12:10 – 12:50 P.M.! Whether you’re new to campus or have been here for many years, join this informative and engaging event. Meet at the UWM Union Ground Floor Information Desk. Space is limited to 15. Visit the HR events calendar to register.

HR Events Calendar


Environmental Wellness Offerings with UWM Sustainability

Explore sustainable features of our UWM Campus on this self-guided tour!

UWM Sustainability & Green Infrastructure

The Sustainability Office is hosting multiple events throughout October and November and employees are welcome to join!

Campus Sustainability Week


Safety Training

A variety of safety-related training courses are available to UWM employees. Please visit the link below for an upcoming list of training opportunities.

Safety Training Courses


Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter

Here is the Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter including wellbeing information, tips and recipes that are sure to be your new favorites!