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. 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 help inform planning for next year’s event. Please share your thoughts and experiences through the survey link.
Employee Appreciation Week Survey
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.
- Benefits Review, March 10, 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M., Register
Register for a Well Wisconsin Biometric Screening & Earn Your Annual $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive!
Two free onsite health screening events are scheduled at the UWM Student Union Wisconsin Room, on March 18 and April 21, from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 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.
Wellbeing Webinars & Workshops (*UWM Specific)
| Program | Description | Date(s) | Time | Location | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga & Pilates | Beginner Pilates series kicks off March 2, focusing on increasing your core strength and improving body alignment. | Weekly | 4:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Outdoor Explore* | Outside walk with fun challenges along the way. All levels and abilities are welcome! | March 4 | 12:00 P.M. | North side of Chapman Hall | Register |
| Balancing Conversations for Transparent Communication | Join the Well Wisconsin leadership training series, designed to help managers build leadership skills to create a culture of well-being at work. | March 4 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Getting to know your EAP | Learn more about what an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is and how you can utilize it to support your overall well-being including mental and physical health. | March 5 | 9:00 A.M. | Virtual | Teams Meeting |
| UWMidday Reset Series* | Take 15 minutes to calm your mind, release tension, and help regain focus for the rest of your day. | March 5, 12, 18, and 25 | 12:00 P.M. – 12:15 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Mindfulness Under the Stars | Take a break for 30 minutes of guided mindfulness and stargazing activities. | March 10 | 12:30 P.M. | UWM Planetarium (PHY 139) | Register |
| Lunch Connect, Share and Learn* | Craving lunch or other meal ideas that are healthy and tasty? Let’s share tips, tricks, ideas, and recipes that get us through the busiest of days. Bring your lunch and join in for this time of connection! | March 11 | 1:00 P.M. | Virtual and Union 181 | Register |
| How to communicate effectively | Unlock the power of effective communication in this dynamic and interactive class! Mastering the art of communication can enhance your relationships and daily interactions. | March 11 | 12:30 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Lunchtime Boost Mindfulness Break | Take a 15-minute mindfulness break to pause, breathe, and rest through meditation, breathing or gentle reflections. | March 13 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Healthy Cooking Demonstration* | Join Michelle King Rimer, Clinical Assistant Professor, Zilber College of Public Health for a healthy cooking demonstration. You’ll learn how to make a delicious dish and receive the recipe to try at home! | March 19 | 12:00 P.M. – 12:45 P.M. | Enderis 130 | Register |
| Make it OK* | Help stop stigma around mental health. | March 20 | 11:00 A.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Diabetes: Preventing Complications & Building Sustainable Habits for Life | Starting April 1, this virtual workshop with bi-weekly meetings on Wednesdays, will help you learn to apply healthy habits to everyday life with small daily actions to support long-term health. | Register by March 30 | 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Mindfulness Under the Stars | Take a break for 30 minutes of guided mindfulness and stargazing activities. | April 7 | 12:30 P.M. | UWM Planetarium (PHY 139) | Register |
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.
If you are unable to attend a fitness class, visit the on-demand library of recordings for recorded classes.
National Nutrition Month – Choose Your Own Challenge
Nutrition is foundational to our wellbeing and since March is National Nutrition Month, it is a great time to focus on ways we can improve fueling and hydrating our bodies. Choose a nutrition topic below where you would like to see improvement and discover ways to boost your nutrition or hydration! Once you’ve completed the challenge, you’ll receive a prize! Ready to take the challenge? Email Tracy Oles, UWM Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, at teo@uwm.edu to request your topic of choice.
- Increase fruit and vegetable intake
- Incorporate more whole foods
- Get more fiber
- Increase fluid intake
Blood Pressure Monitor Pilot Program
UWM Human Resources is piloting 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
- Are not currently being treated by a physician for high blood pressure/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.
Blood Pressure Monitor Pilot Program flyer
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 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:
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
- How to Communicate Effectively, March 11, 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
Well Wisconsin Mental Health Flyer
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.
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
Meet with a Financial Consultant at UWM
- TIAA, March 11, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., Engelmann 208, Register
Pre-Retirement Workshop
For employees who are thinking about or planning to retire. The workshop will cover information about WRS benefits, health insurance and sick leave conversion as well as supplemental benefits.
- Pre-Retirement Workshop, March 18, 12:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M., Engelmann Hall Room 105, Register
America Saves Week is Scheduled April 6 -10, 2026
Visit the website for more information:
The following themes will be emphasized:
- April 6, 2026, Building a Strong Foundation
- April 7, 2026, Be Ready for the Unexpected
- April 8, 2026, Dream Big, Plan with Purpose
- April 9, 2026, Rewrite the Debt Narrative
- April 10, 2026, Create Your Financial Future
New Employee Orientation
New Employee Orientation provides new employees with a high-level introduction and overview of UWM, 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., UWM Student Union Room E280, Register
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.
Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter
Here is the Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter content including wellbeing information, tips and recipes.
- 8 Minutes of Baby Animals: Pure Joy and Cuteness
- Why do we like music?
- 13 Brain Exercises to Help Keep You Mentally Sharp
- Marry Me Chicken
- Vegan Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites