School of Medicine Dean’s Update

Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs, Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, David H. Perlmutter, MD will host this event to share updates on recent events, future plans and School of Medicine initiatives. Dean Perlmutter will also share a special announcement at […]

The Value of Movement

Movement is a fundamental aspect of life. It affects everything from circulation to digestion to metabolism to immunity. The body contributes far more to our lives than just physical attributes such as strength and endurance – it plays a major role in emotions, learning, and relationships. By participating in the upcoming 10K-A-Day activity challenge, we can focus on […]

Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight

Linda Amos has been active in the employee wellness community for a long time. As a team captain for the Tread the Med and then WashU Moves activity challenges, Linda recruits many colleagues to join her team and incorporate movement into their daily lives. When Wellness Connection expanded the Champion network to the Med School […]

Toastmasters Celebrates 5 Years!

WashU Toastmasters’ Clubs Celebrate 5 years! Attend an upcoming Open House and learn how you can be a part of Toastmasters.   WUSTL SPEAKS Celebration: Wednesday April 17, 2019 12:05 PM Location: Danforth Campus, Seigle Hall 109 Toast Of WU Open House: Tuesday April 23, 2019 12:05 PM Location: West Campus, Room 350 No RSVP necessary. Learn […]

Engage in St. Louis

Washington University faculty, staff and students are integral members of the St. Louis community. We are a world-class institution with roots firmly in St. Louis. Explore affordable entertainment options, activities and cultural attractions at WashU and the surrounding St. Louis area. Featured St. Louis Activities New! WashU Night at the Soccer Park, April 13 – Purchase tickets […]

Fostering effective performance management

Performance management is a fundamental management process that helps shape how employees view and do their work at Washington University. As a manager, you should approach performance management as an ongoing process that brings out the best in staff members as they meet your group’s goals. For more information, Contact Carla Bailey, senior manager of […]

Pursue your financial well-being

Pursue your future financial well-being in manageable steps and at key milestones with tools, resources and webinars through TIAA and WashU.  Tools and resources available through the WashU TIAA Portal: TIAA has articles, tools, videos and advisors to help you prepare for retirement. View tools and resources to help you on your path to financial […]

Wellness Connection University Partnership: MyWay to Health

MyWay to Health is an on-site employee wellness program developed by leading experts in health and wellness at Washington University. Deeply rooted in scientific evidence, expert opinion, and 25 years of research, MyWay to Health provides sound advice, as well as guidance and tips to help you take charge of your well-being. The MyWay to […]

Inspired by WashU’s Day of Discovery? Take a UCollege Course!

Keep the conversation going by enrolling in one of the following classes at University College: Summer Courses  Delve into mid-20th century civil rights and religious issues in Religion, Race, and Politics in Recent American History (U16 Hist 3675). Learn how to make a difference in your own community in Introduction to Public Policy (U25 Pol Sci […]

March is National Nutrition Month

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, Wellness Connection brings you educational sessions and opportunities to learn how you can embrace nutritious eating habits. Washington University’s MyWay to Health wellness consultants will walk you through recipes and teach you how to prepare and cook healthy, easy meals. Events will take place across WashU campuses: MyWay to […]

10 Leadership Insights and Lessons

On January 31, 6 executives came to campus to share leadership wisdom at an Olin Business School event. Carla Bailey, HR learning and development senior manager was among the panelists, sharing her tips and lessons on leadership. Her 10 leadership tips are: Lead with your authentic self. Commit to remaining curious. Dare to live outside […]

St. Louis Diversity Leader Returns to the Community for WashU

DeCou has been a leading figure in diversity awareness and anti-bias efforts in the nonprofit sector of the St. Louis community for more than 25 years. At Washington University, she has conducted highly popular diversity training sessions with more than 8,500 employees and supports efforts to improve the university’s workforce diversity. Today, DeCou is taking […]

America Saves Week

Four great ways to get in the saving habit It’s a lot easier to spend than save, but getting into a saving mindset now could make a big difference later. Start with a plan that works for you and follow it. It might be easier than you think. Try these four tips to help you […]

Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight

This month I’d like to highlight the efforts of Cynthia Marich & Andrea Krussel and the good work they’ve been doing to foster a culture of health and well-being in their department. Yoga: A Practice in CommunityBy Andrea Krussel and Cynthia Marich Since July 2017, the Institute for Informatics (I2) has hosted a weekly yoga […]

Know Your Numbers and Earn Rewards

Schedule your annual health screening through Wellness Connection and establish a baseline of important biometric measurements. For optimal wellness, each of us should be armed with as much information about our body as possible. Knowing your A1C level, current blood pressure, cholesterol and other key indicators can empower you to make informed decisions about your […]

Wellness Champion Spotlight

This month I’d like to recognize each and every Wellness Champion in our network. I’m so proud of our group and the good work they’ve been doing. In 2018: Our network increased by 24 new champions; We established a Leadership group, which planned training presentation topics for the 2019 quarterly meetings and are working on […]

2018 Year in Photos

2018 Year in Review for Events All Around WashU! Throughout 2018, we recognized staff achievements, celebrated your dedication to the university and came together as a community at various events. We look forward to what’s ahead in 2019, as we continue to engage and celebrate our valuable staff! Thank you for all you do for the […]

Child Care Tips for Employees (Links to an external site)

Washington University offers resources and tips for child care, including access to child care facilities, as well as back-up care for children in the case of school closures, slight illness, etc. Tips for your Child Care Search Start the process as early as possible. Quality providers tend to have long waiting lists, particularly for infants. […]

The Spirit of St. Louis Winter Gift Guide

From theatre to hockey to joining a gym, Check out our Gift Guide-it’s filled to the brim With WashU discounts, specials, and more All right here in St. Louis – go and explore! Discounted tickets to St. Louis Signature Events St. Louis Symphony – Continually updated with great offers on concerts for WashU faculty and staff! […]

Safe Online Holiday Shopping

Monthly Work-Life Solutions feature from GuidanceResources: Buying goods and services on the internet can be an easy and convenient way to do your shopping this holiday season. However, you have to be careful that you are making wise shopping decisions. These tips can help you shop with confidence and reap the benefits of buying online. Know the Seller Be […]

Managing Holiday Expenses

Monthly Work-Life Solutions feature from GuidanceResources: Holidays can be overwhelming, stressful and tough on your finances. Between gifts, travel expenses, decorations and entertainment, costs can add up very quickly and result in a significant amount of debt. Proper financial planning is essential to organizing your budget, keeping stress under control and reducing unnecessary spending. Holiday […]

Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight: Leadership Group

The Wellness Connection Champions Leadership group had their inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 11/28. The leadership group serves as a mini-representation of the larger Wellness Connection Champion network, and will help the Wellness Connection team recruit, train, and deploy champions across the University to further our mission to promote employee health and wellness. During this productive […]

Holiday Stress Prevention Tips

Monthly Work-Life Solutions feature: The holiday season is a time full of celebrations with friends and family. However, the holiday season can also bring additional stress due to family conflicts, finances and time constraints. The extra demands and expectations that come along with the entertaining, shopping, decorating, baking and cleaning can lead to extra stress. […]

November is National Family Caregiver Month

National Family Caregivers Month, sponsored by the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), is dedicated to addressing the many challenges facing family caregivers. Use these tips to ensure that your health is not taking a backseat to your caregiving duties: Caregiving is a job, and respite is your earned right. Reward yourself with respite breaks often. Watch […]

Wellness Champion Spotlight

Nicole Venteris has initiated a number of creative efforts to cultivate a culture of wellness within her department. This year, Nicole has organized healthy snack days to motivate her WashU Moves team, hosted a focus group to provide feedback on Wellness Connection strategy, and regularly updates a wellness bulletin board. At the conclusion of the […]

November is Diabetes Awareness month

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled. It is estimated that more than 24 million Americans have diabetes; of those, about 6 million don’t know they have the disease, and another 57 […]

Valuing Your Safety at WashU

Washington University makes a strong continuing effort to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Make sure you are aware of safety tips and resources when navigating campus. Campus Security, Fire Safety, and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Campus Security and Fire Safety Washington University in St. Louis is committed to […]

Start your Journey to Lifelong Learning

It’s a great time to fall back in love with learning. Are you prioritizing learning? You don’t have to wait until 2019 to make it a goal. This Fall, identify the Learning and Development courses you want or need to take and get back to the classroom to start your journey to lifelong learning! Where […]

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Employees with disabilities face a unique set of challenges in the workplace.Your GuidanceResources Employee Assistance Program understands this and isavailable to help, not just in the office, but also at home and in your community. Read more about disability awareness and find support through the WashU Work-Life Solutions employee assistance program, GuidanceResources.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is a serious problem; it is the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44. Victims may suffer physical injuries such as bruises, cuts or broken bones, and they may suffer emotionally from depression, anxiety or social isolation. People everywhere should know the signs to look for and steps to […]

Wellness Champion Spotlight

Kim Patterson joined the Wellness Champions in December of 2017, and since then has initiated several wellness events for her department at the Cortex. Most recently, Kim partnered with Wellness Connection to host a De-Stress Zone in August where 60+ members of Physicians Billing attended and relaxed with a chair massage, healthy snacks, and met […]

University Partnerships: Siteman Cancer Center

Early detection is the best tool in the fight against breast cancer. To improve the convenience and availability of mammography, the Siteman Cancer Center operates a mobile mammography van that offers screenings by appointment. The Siteman Cancer Center Mammography Van offers annual screenings for women age 40 and over who have no signs or symptoms of breast […]

Financial Well-Being Tip

Financial Planning for the Sandwich Generation Many people are waiting until later in life to start a family. A new baby can have much bigger financial implications if you’re in your late 30s or 40s. If you’re starting a family at a later age, you’ve got less time before your retirement. The good news is […]

Staff Spotlight: Bruce Backus

At work, Bruce Backus, assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, focuses on providing a safe and healthy environment for research, teaching and patient care at Washington University. In his personal life, Backus has a passion for digital photography. Some of his work can be seen on display as a part […]

Peace of Mind at your Fingertips through Safety App, Noonlight

Connect to the police wherever you are with the Noonlight App Noonlight (formerly SafeTrek) is a mobile personal safety app that individuals can discreetly use when they feel unsafe, giving them the security of a stand-by service attendant ready to call 911 if danger approaches. How does it work? If you feel unsafe for any […]

Ensuring a Safe Learning and Working Environment at WashU

A Message from Hank Webber, Executive Vice Chancellor of Administration for Washington University Dear Members of the Washington University Community: Washington University makes a strong continuing effort to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. As part of this ongoing effort, please review this message and avail yourself of the […]

Wellness Program Spotlight

By increasing resilience and taking steps to prevent distress, we can help ourselves avoid serious health conditions, including depression and anxiety problems. Mindfulness is a way to access your inner resources and move towards greater balance, control and peace of mind. Move into mindfulness by participating in the Mind-Body Stress Reduction Program. This program consists […]

Wellness Champion Spotlight

Rachel Tabak, PhD, research associate professor at the Brown School, has received a five-year, $3.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study ways to prevent weight gain and chronic disease among mothers age 18-35. “The research team developed a lifestyle modification intervention, Healthy Eating and Active Living Taught at Home (HEALTH) that […]

Treating Challenges as a Marathon

Wellness Tips From Your WashU WebMD Health Coaches: Planning to run a marathon (or taking on any task that requires a lot of time, discipline, and energy) can be overwhelming.  The mere thought of the work that lies ahead may lead to procrastination. Whether our task is literally training for/running a marathon, creating a new […]

Three Ways to Lower Stress

By Amy Hayden, WebMD Health Coach Believe it or not, some stress is good for us. It keeps us motivated to do what we need to provide us food and shelter. However, too much can wear us out and if chronic, it can be detrimental to our mental and physical well-being. So, finding ways to […]

WashU Nurses Honored, Excellence in Nursing Awards

Washington University nurses were honored as a part of St. Louis Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Awards. The Excellence in Nursing Awards recognizes nurses for their exceptional knowledge, passion and dedication to their field. 57 finalists were selected out of more than 220 nominees from health care institutions across the St. Louis region. The selection committee […]

April is National Financial Literacy Month

Because effective money management and retirement saving can be some of the most important aspects of your financial life, Washington University has teamed up with TIAA to offer financial education live webinars. Live webinars make financial education easy Once you register at TIAA.org/webinars, you’ll have access to financial education though live and on-demand webinars designed to […]

Take Action to Reduce Your Risk for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older. The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age […]

A Word from WashU Leadership

A Word from WashU Leadership:Advice from Mark S. Wrighton to New Employees Chancellor Mark Wrighton spoke with staff at a recent Chat with the Chancellor event. Wrighton was asked, “What advice do you have for a new employee?” Wrighton said to “be proactive about opportunities that come your way. Join a committee where you can […]

Focus on your personal wellness.

Learn about the resources and support available to you through Washington University’s Wellness Connection. Wellness experts are available to help you track and manage your health. WashU Wellness Connection experts include: WashU WebMD Health Coaches Todd Gulizia and Amy Hayden can help you set goals and track progress. Learn more. Onsite UHC Nurse Advocate, Teresa […]

St. Louis Scene: Dining Out

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in local culture is through the local cuisine. Explore St. Louis and its growing, vibrant dining scene. Whether you are new to the area, or a native St. Louisan, check out the many restaurants with notable chef’s and a range of options. Washington University is surrounded by […]

Healthy Reminders for Busy Women

For many women, juggling work, home life, and family leaves little time for them to take care of themselves. But taking the time to know what cancer screening tests are right for you could help save your life. The American Cancer Society® encourages you to talk with your health care provider about screening tests for […]

Combating Cholesterol: Fight it With Food

Adding certain foods to your diet may actually help to lower your cholesterol and decrease your risk for heart disease. You know the rules. Eat less red meat, cheese and butter. Limit fried foods. Avoid trans fats. With so many things to cut out, what’s left to eat? While heart-healthy eating includes lots of “no’s,” […]

National Healthy Lunch Day

Most of us are uncertain about what’s best to eat, what’s healthful and what’s not. Often our food choices are full of calories, yet lack the vitamins and minerals that we need for energy and to feel our best. Our wellness goal is to promote good nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle, and help […]

Resources to Reduce Stress

Resources for to Reduce Stress Brown Bag Sessions  Washington University Wellness Connection is proud to partner with UHC On-Site Nurse Advocate Teresa Fisher and Masterpeace Studios Executive Director Meg Krejci for a lunchtime session on stress management. You’re invited to learn about resources available to benefits-eligible WU employees, how to identify and manage distress in […]

6 Tips for Dining Out

By Jennifer DiBiasi, WebMD Health Coach So you’ve been eating well, paying attention to nutrition and portions and maybe even tracking intake on a fancy app. Then, after a long week, a much-needed get together lands you in a restaurant where you’re faced with a menu full of enticing options and you’re wanting them all. […]