News & Announcements

Before you enroll, here are some things to observe and questions to ask the center director.

What’s Right for Your Family?

WashU has been recognized in several recent surveys as a top workplace. 

Resources for employees who may be responsible for caring for an older adult.

Take this quiz to find out what you know… and what you need to know.

It’s never to early to start the conversation with your parents about how they view their later years, and what their preferences are looking ahead.

Are you ready for student loan payments to resume in 2023?

Read The Manager’s Resource, a newsletter created for WashU supervisors that includes actionable items and updates to help your team thrive, professionally and personally.

A series of monthly posts designed to break down financial topics into bite-sized pieces

Mental and emotional health resources available to WashU employees

We are excited to honor our 2023 service award recipients and distinguished honor awardees

Fine-tune your well-being compass during the Worldwide Wellness spring 2023 challenge.

W-2s are available as of Jan. 31, 2023. Employees can access an electronic copy in Workday. Non-employees can also access in Workday or should hav received a mailed W-2 to the home address on file. 1095-C forms are available as of March 2, 2023, in Workday for employees who have consented to receive them electronically. […]

Find some fun (and maybe new) activities in the St. Louis region to do or visit with your family this summer.

You may have heard or read that the federal government has announced that the Public Health Emergency (PHE) that has been in effect due to COVID-19 will end on May 11, 2023. What does this mean for participants in a WashU Medical Plan? Effective beginning May 12, 2023, the following changes will apply to all […]

Chalana M. Scales-Ferguson has been named associate vice chancellor of institutional equity effective March 20, 2023.

Gillian Boscan, JD, is WashU’s new director of investigations and conflict resolution in the Office of Institutional Equity.

The Human Resource Well-Being Team is partnering with Sustainability and WashU Arboretum to hand out oak, pecan, and wahoo seedlings. You can request up to 3 seedlings. Pick up at Schnuck Pavilion on March 30 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

Julie-Ellen Acosta has been named assistant vice chancellor effective March 1.

Join a WashU Toastmasters club today!

Parents might worry about how many hours their kids spend on their tablets, smartphones, or TV, but research has shown that the amount of time a kid spends on their screen may be less important than how dependent the child is on the screen. How do you know if your child is addicted to their […]

WashU employees who been impacted by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have resources available to them and eligible family members.

WashU has launched an Institute for Leadership Excellence, which provides immersive professional development opportunities for employees across the university.

Kathy Clark, Washington University School of Medicine, manager of medical apprenticeships, honored y St. Louis Business Journal

In honor of National Heart Month, WashU’s employee Well-being Team is highlighting important steps and resources to help you take care of your heart. Eating healthier, exercising more and getting regular check-ups are key steps toward a healthy heart. In addition, reducing stress and considering our emotional connection to ourselves play a vital role in […]

WashU earned five out of five stars on the Campus Pride Index, a tool run by the national nonprofit group Campus Pride that measures LGBTQ programs, policies and practices at 400 U.S. colleges and universities

Managers can find helpful tips for how to identify and help employees with changes in behavior that may be signs of alcohol or drug misuse.

WashU Wellness Champions are eligible to apply for start-up funds for projects that promote innovative, personalized solutions to their unique work group. HR’s Well-being team offers financial support to Wellness Champions who are in good standing and interested in start-up funds to address the wellness needs of their workgroup. Read about the Champion Fund Projects […]

This memo outlines important information regarding the influenza (flu) vaccination policy and employee compliance. The deadline to receive the vaccine and upload proof in ReadySet is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Per university policy, all WashU faculty, staff and trainees in a hybrid or on-site position at a School of Medicine location must receive this year’s influenza vaccine. […]

Help kids rise to the occasion, and don’t aim too high. Caroline Miller, Child Mind Institute Let’s acknowledge that the holidays can be stressful for many people for varying reasons, and this includes parents and children. Why are the holidays so fraught? Because expectations are heightened, and holidays can feel like a test of how […]

12 Days of Learning challenge: daily 5-minute exercises

As a WashU manager, talk with your team members and provide resources they might need to thrive. We have provided some tips to help guide your conversations.

A series of financial security tips Your FICO score is a credit scoring technique used to evaluate applicants for almost any type of loan. Each of the three major credit-reporting agencies evaluates these factors and determines your credit score; therefore, you may have three different scores. FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with a […]

A series of financial security tips One pillar of financial society is built on the idea of credit: student loans, credit cards, home mortgages, and other kinds of financing arrangements that allow us to spend more than we may have readily available in cash. Understanding how to establish and maintain a healthy line of credit […]

a series of financial security tips With millions of identity theft cases reported each year, a security freeze can be a useful measure in preventing identity theft. While not for every consumer, the security freeze is considered the strongest measure one can take in protecting a credit file. How it Works A security freeze works […]

A series of financial security tips Whether you have misplaced a credit card or had a purse or wallet stolen, the loss of personal identification and financial information can be a major concern. Knowing the right precautions to take can help safeguard your financial freedom and prevent devastating losses to your cash reserves and credit […]

Take time to refresh and reinvigorate yourself during the fall 2022 wellness challenge, Renew.

A guide to energizing your fitness routine, by Meghann Feely, associate director of fitness & operations at sumers recreation center While it can be hard to find the time (or motivation) for movement, a good goal is to fit in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day, like brisk walking or cycling. More […]

The medical assistant apprenticeship program at Washington University in St. Louis has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a model program. As part of the recognition, the program has been dubbed an ambassador and will serve as a model program in that role, sharing its experiences through a national network and collaborating […]

Be proactive and reduce stress when you can with these tips during the holiday season.

You might recognize Kelly Bogda if you’ve spent any time in the Bear Necessities Shop on WashU’s South 40 Campus; she joined the WashU community as manager there in July 2021. Bogda has spent the last two decades volunteering with youth and specifically with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) for the past 15 […]

A guide to nutritious eating, by MyWay to Health Wellness Consultant Maggie Danforth, RD, LD Many factors contribute to our health and how we feel, yet we often overlook how the food we eat impacts our daily lives. Just as we wouldn’t expect our cars to run on vegetable oil or on empty, we can’t […]

Resources for faculty and staff who have been affected by the Oct. 24 shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis.

HRMS, AIS, and WebFocus systems have been retired and will no longer be supported after November 15, 2022.

Open enrollment, flu vaccines and other tips to help you and your loved ones stay healthy this fall.

The Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition operates on the belief that every child deserves a place to call home. This could be through adoption, or by creating a stable and safe environment for youth in foster care. They provide programs to serve families, youth in foster care, and advocacy efforts so that every child has […]

Learn more about the Live Near Your Work program by stopping by one of the upcoming housing fairs.

The value of annual biometric screenings and how Wellness Champions contribute to the health of the WashU community Annual health screenings are an essential building block for any well-being goal. By “knowing our numbers”, we can detect disease early, establish a baseline for our health, and make informed health decisions. Seeing your medical provider for […]

At WashU, we care about you and want to make sure you know about the resources available to help you thrive and navigate life’s challenges. In addition to your physical and financial well-being, take time to care for yourself or a loved one’s emotional well-being.  Sept. 5 – 11 is recognized as National Suicide Prevention […]

TIAA provides five important steps to take before your student loan payments resume in 2023.

Summertime was our four-week summer wellness challenge that aimed to empower WashU employees to incorporate movement into their daily lives while connecting with family and friends. Benefits-eligible employees were invited to participate as an individual or as part of a team to track their steps and participate in weekly social activities. Participants also had the […]

WashU employees and dependents enrolled in the VSP vision plan benefit can find routine vision and eye care online.

Find resources and support for the flooding that has impacted St. Louis.

Your Bright Horizons benefits will help you stress less about your adult/elder loved ones’ care.

Scot R. Bemis has been named vice chancellor for human resources and institutional equity at WashU.

Enjoy the outdoors while you stay active with the 2022 Summertime activity challenge!

Short-term medical disability payments for disabilities beginning on or after July 1, 2022, will be made by WashU on your regular payroll schedule.

Effective July 1, 2022, Bright Horizons Emergency/Back-up Care will again be available for the care of mildly ill children.

As part of a new segment for the Wellness Champion newsletter, each month we will highlight a Wellness Connection team member. This month will feature Registered Dietitian and Wellness Consultant, Reshaunda Thornton. Tell us a little about yourself. As a dietitian, nutrition has been my passion, but my first love was science. Before focusing on […]

  Jean FuchsContract & Grants CoordinatorArts & Sciences | Biology Jean Fuchs has been an active and supportive Champion ever since she joined the Wellness Champion network in January of 2020. I’ve been particularly impressed by her efforts as Team Captain throughout the various challenges, as she promotes an inclusive and encouraging environment for her […]

UnitedHealthcare maternity nurses and advocates are available to WashU health plan members who are concerned about the current nationwide infant formula shortage.

Help manage common work-related anxiety with tips from Krista Jarvis, LPC, a clinical case manager in WashU’s Department of Psychiatry.

The TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2065 Fund Retirement Class (TSFRX) is being added as an investment option.

WashU “Recognition Days” start on May 23 and continue into June. We are excited to honor our 2022 service award recipients, distinguished honor awardees, and recognize all of our staff for their dedication to our missions of research, teaching and patient care. Thank you to all of our staff for your continued commitment and dedication to our […]

As part of a new segment for the Wellness Champion newsletter, each month we will highlight a Wellness Connection team member. This month will feature Wellness Coordinator Lauren Buschhorn. Tell us a little about yourself. Hello! I have served as Wellness Coordinator for four years at Washington University. In my role, I oversee the annual […]

In 2021, Human Resources hosted a training for managers on staff compensation. More than 1,000 managers attended. The training is available in Learn@Work.

Try self-check-ins to understand what you might be feeling and how you can help your body cope

Maintaining employee morale, well-being and engagement in the new workplace environment.

As part of a new segment for the Wellness Champion newsletter, each month we will highlight a Wellness Connection team member. To kick us off, we’ll spotlight Emily Page, MS, our fearless leader and the Sr. Manager for Wellness & Benefits Projects. Tell us a little about yourself. What drew you to this line of […]

Get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of WashU employees as they get their steps in and help us achieve our missions.

I’d like to recognize all of the Wellness Champions who rallied their teammates to join the new spring wellness challenge, Spring into Motion. Wellness Champions are provided with a toolkit for team captains that equips them with knowledge about the challenge and helps them think about how to encourage their coworkers to participate. They use […]

Resources and guidance for talking to your children about violence and war as well as support options available to you and your family.

WashU Physical Therapy provides tips to help reduce pain you might be feeling.

Find happiness with these behaviors to help you overcome adversity in your life.

Jennifer Byers Research Patient Coordinator II Department of Radiology Since Jen Byers first joined the Wellness Champion network in December of 2019, her passion for her work and her role as a Champion in support of her colleagues has stood out to me. An active Champion, Jen participates in Wellness Connection programming, organizes events for […]

Read tips to care for yourself or support a colleague when someone is experiencing burnout.

Find the best fit shoe for your feet to help you stay active.

7 Steps to Finding Safe and Quality Care is a new series of short videos developed by Child Care Aware of Missouri to help families understand childcare options and make the best choice for their child.

Raema Howell, MSHI, BSN, RN Planner II, Activation & Logistics Operations and Facilities Management Dept. (OFMD) Raema began working at WashU one year ago, and joined the Wellness Champion network in fall of 2021. As a new employee, Raema wanted an opportunity within the organization to connect with the surrounding community and raise awareness about […]

Jessica Gold, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry, provides tips for reframing how we look at the new year and ways to help yourself and loved ones cope through healthy well-being practices.

Vaccine information on local, state and area resources related to obtaining COVID-19 vaccinations for your children.

Check out the sometimes little-known employee benefits come that can come in handy when you’re on and off campus.

Jennifer Holzhauer, MSW, LCSWChild & Adolescent Psychiatry Jennifer has taken an active approach to her role since joining the Champion network in January 2021. She immediately recruited several co-champions to help impact various divisions within the Department of Psychiatry: Angela Williams, Rebecca Light-Pearlman, and Katherine Aravamudan. Working together as a cohesive unit, they used the […]

WashU highlight’s another local United Way agency, Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis. See how we’re making an impact, and join us by donating today.

This month, we’re highlighting another local United Way agency, SoulFisher Ministries. See how we’re making an impact, and join us by donating today.

Holiday well-being tips and resources to help you and your family thrive.

This memo outlines important information regarding the influenza (flu) vaccination policy and employee compliance. The deadline to receive the vaccine and upload proof in ReadySet has been extended to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10. As you know, the previous deadline was tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 19. Per university policy, all WashU faculty, staff and trainees must receive this year’s influenza vaccine regardless of […]

Helpful tips for employees to navigate 2022 benefits open enrollment.

Katie Navo, MSN, RN, FNP-BCIM | Medical Oncology Katie joined the Wellness Champion network a little over one year ago; she dove right in by arranging for a Benefits Chat overview presentation for her workgroup in Medical Oncology, to help them prepare for the upcoming Benefits Open Enrollment. She’s also coordinated mindfulness presentations, regularly updates […]

We outlined some easy ways to start your own self-care routine, if you haven’t already.

Employees jobs shouldn’t change just because they’re now doing it virtually. 

Introduce a daily gratitude practice to positively impact your well-being.

I’d like to recognize all of the Wellness Champions who rallied their teammates to join the new summer wellness challenge, Colorful Choices. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to Wellness Connection and your colleagues. Your ingenuity, determination, and creativity are inspiring. Approximately 900 WashU employees participated in the Colorful Choices campaign. The charts […]

This memo outlines important information regarding COVID-19 vaccination policy compliance. Each Friday, Occupational Health sends your area the most recent list of people who have not yet provided proof of vaccination against COVID-19. As of August 4, 2021, more than 1,100 faculty, staff and trainees have not recorded proof of vaccination in ReadySet.Both Occupational Health […]

Hatice Goshtaiy, MS IM – Infectious Diseases Hatice has been with WashU for the past 14 years and a Wellness Champion for the last 2.5 years. Since joining the Champion network in January 2019, she has been a strong advocate for Wellness Connection programming in her department, working with her supervisor to promote resources and […]

Our world continues to change as we navigate the pandemic. Caring for ourself is more important than ever. We will continue to highlight tips to help you find balance and practice self care. Our tips are informed by WashU experts in Psychiatry, wellness, leadership development and family care. Faculty, physicians and expert staff provide their […]

Wellness Connection’s MyWay to Health programs recognize that each employee is unique and has their own personalized definition of optimal health and well-being. Our mission is to support individuals, champion strengths, overcome barriers and create supportive networks to improve health and quality of life. This is why we have developed a range of programs to […]

To Management Councils and Leadership: A Manager Memo regarding the COVID-19 vaccination policy was sent Friday, June 25 to area management. As noted, all employees and trainees are required to get and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination by August 30. To follow Friday’s manager memo, we are covering the following topics: Preview of a communication to […]

Memo from June 25, 2021 To Management Councils and Leadership: As announced on June 15, Washington University students, faculty, staff and trainees on the Danforth and Medical Campuses will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Faculty, staff and trainees must be fully vaccinated by August 30. View the COVID-19 vaccination policy and the COVID-19 FAQ for full details. […]

Wellness Champion Network As Wellness Connection Champions, we strive to promote a professional environment where people can be their whole selves, center learning & growth, and foster a culture that makes it easy for people to be well and do their jobs. The University provides resources to help our Champions connect with each other, learn […]

It’s hard to believe that, after years of planning and work, we are getting ready to go live with Workday as part of our MyDay initiative. This is one of the most complex projects the university has undertaken, investing in our future by replacing our HR and finance systems with a modern, integrated system in the cloud.   There are several […]