Northwest no longer offers the annual, on-campus health risk assessment. Employees on the University health plan and hired prior to Aug. 1, 2023, must have an annual preventive visit and labs with a primary care provider.
Employees must download and print a Physician Screening Form (PSF) from the A Healthier You portal and bring it with them to their preventive care appointment. Employees who do not return the PSF by Oct. 15, 2023, will be assessed a $50 per month premium differential beginning with the December 2023 paycheck.
As a reminder, if you visit a Mosaic provider, identify yourself as a Northwest employee when calling to schedule your appointment and state your need to schedule a standalone wellness/preventive-only appointment and labs with your primary care provider.
During the appointment:
For additional information about the primary care provider wellness program, visit https://www.nwmissouri.edu/hr/Primary-Care-Provider-Wellness-Program.htm or call the Office of Human Resources at 660.562.1127.
Northwest, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Mosaic Life Care have collaborated and reached a resolution on the lab draw process.
When registering for your appointment with Mosaic, employees should request that labs drawn for a non-wellness appointment be sent to Quest. Examples of a non-wellness appointment include routine lab draws for an existing diagnosis, labs drawn for a new illness, etc. Lab draws sent to Quest will result in a clinic lab charge for employees opposed to labs being charged at a much higher hospital rate.
As a reminder, labs drawn during a preventive-only health screening appointment should not be charged to Northwest employees. When scheduling a wellness or preventive-only appointment and labs with Mosaic, identify yourself as a Northwest employee and state your need to schedule a standalone wellness or preventive-only appointment and labs with your primary care provider.
Northwest employees who receive a bill from Mosaic for a lab draw completed during the preventive-only health screening appointment should contact Northwest’s Office of Human Resources.
For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources at 660.562.1127 or email hrwebpg@nwmissouri.edu.
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Stormie Buchanan |
Scott Heflin |
Gerry Runde
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Monica Kohlleppel |
Christopher Poppa |
Aruna Surabathuni |
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Timothy Hill |
Tucker Quinn for Marketing and Promotions |
James Uhrlaub |
| Brooke Easter | Assistant Director of Recreation, Facilities & Operations | Campus Recreation |
| Lauren King | Custodial Supervisor | Facility Services |
| Lisa Redden | Administrative Assistant | Regional Professional Development Center |
| Troy Brady | MEP Supervisor | Facility Services |
| Beth Strueby | Custodian | Facility Services |
| Travis Kline | Assistant Director | Career Services |
Saturday, Oct. 7
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hughes Fieldhouse
Employees and guests should use the doors at the south entrance of the facility to access the reception. Snacks will be provided and employees will receive one free Northwest T- shirt.
Northwest employees are eligible for discounted single-game football tickets during the 2023 season. This discount is applicable to any Northwest employee and immediate family members for up to six tickets per home game when purchased prior to game day.
The discounted ticket rate is available for seating in two sections at Bearcat Stadium:
Discounted employee tickets must be purchased online no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to home games. Discounted employee tickets will not be sold on game days.
Click here to purchase game tickets and select the game you want to attend.
To apply the employee discount, scroll down on the web page and click “Have a passcode?” Enter your 919 number to unlock the employee ticket discount and purchase up to six tickets per game.
When selecting reserved seats in Section A:
Northwest is reminding students and employees that fall is the time of year when viral infections are present, and Wellness Services offers ways to help prevent illness.
While the Northwest community may be experiencing symptoms of the common cold, influenza, COVID-19 or another viral infection, Wellness Services notes that viral infections can impact individuals with a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include fatigue, a sore throat, headaches, nausea and diarrhea.
Anyone presenting a positive COVID-19 test or symptoms should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and the instructions of a healthcare provider.
Ways to help prevent illness include washing your hands frequently, boosting your immune system by eating healthy foods, getting seven to nine hours of sleep nightly and exercising daily for 30 minutes.
The CDC also recommends getting a flu shot, and Wellness Services is hosting a series of clinics at the J.W. Jones Student Union in October. Employees must present their insurance card at the time of vaccine.
Northwest Wellness Services does not offer COVID-19 vaccinations at this time and encourages students and employees to seek the vaccine through their local health care provider. Click here for updated CDC recommendations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for a flu vaccination, contact Wellness Services at 660.562.1348 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/wellness/.
While counseling services are key to helping support students with mental health needs, our campus community plays a critical role in overall student wellness. Because of the increasing prevalence of mental health struggles, student success is being increasingly affected. The purpose of C.A.L.M. in Crisis is to build skills across our campus community for students and employees. The training focuses on improving awareness of the risk factors and warning signs for suicide, how to recognize and respond when they occur, when and how to refer to available resources, ways in which to offer hope and the importance of managing personal wellness throughout the process. Participation in the training will help align our various roles on campus to bring evidence-based interventions to our ongoing support of student well-being.
The training includes an approximate one-hour Canvas-based Training Camp as well as a 2.5-hour, in-person training. Access to Training Camp will be provided two weeks before the in-person training.
Walk with the Doc and Northwest Leaders
Wednesday, Oct. 18, noon at Colden Pond
Join Northwest leaders, students, Mosaic staff and community members for a 1-mile walk in support of Exercise is Medicine® On Campus vision and goals.
Exercise Testing & Resource Fair
Thursday, Oct. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the J.W. Jones Student Union
Obtain an optional exercise test for heart rate, blood pressure, bone density, body composition and movement – get one or get them all, you decide. Plus, meet with an Exercise Is Medicine leader for test interpretation and discuss a personalized exercise prescription to meet your goals. Learn more about Northwest resources.
Northwest is using Vector/Safe Colleges to offer training courses online for your convenience. Below are upcoming mandatory trainings and deadlines:
Click here to register for an upcoming Career Pathing session. All sessions are 60 minutes in the Student Union Boardroom.
Michele Burch Reid, MS
Principal, Legacy Consulting Institute, LLC
Organizational Effectiveness and Personal Development Consultant
www.legacyconsultinginstitute.com
Monday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Michele Burch Reid, MS, guides you in learning how stress affects the body, how to reverse those effects how to build resilience. The workshop is interactive and includes several relaxation and stress management exercises.
Jasmine Stringer, Speaker, Lifestyle Expert, Strategist and Influencer
Carpe Diem with Jasmine, LLC
www.carpediemwithjasmine.com
Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.
In the “new normal,” what does it look like regarding professional networking? The art of forming genuine connections with others has become ever more essential, but how can we bridge the gap and foster authentic relationships in the post-pandemic digital age?
In this session, Jasmine unveils best practices to dissolve barriers, expand networks, and cultivate deeper personal and professional connections that can help audiences increase their visibility, develop a stronger support network, improve business growth and make more impactful connections.
As we embrace the opportunities and challenges of the "new normal," let's seize the potential of authentic connections. Seize Your Relationships: Make Authentic Connections equips individuals with the tools to thrive in the post-pandemic digital age and cultivate relationships that empower both their personal and professional growth.
Audiences will learn how to:
Dr. Melissa Van Buren, Employee Wellness Coordinator
Northwest Missouri State University
Physician, Nutritionist, Northwest Naturopathy, LLC
Thursday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Hippocrates said, “Physician heal thyself.” This well-known quote is a powerful statement all of us need to embrace to live healthy, happy, balanced and productive lives. In this presentation and breakout session, Dr. Van Buren will teach on the application of self-care topics, including nutrition, sleep hygiene, immune support, stress management, adrenal support, relationship health and setting work, school or home boundaries to create a balanced, sustainably healthy life.
During this career pathing session, both staff and students will:
Kim Becking, Professional Speaker
Momentum Motivation, LLC
www.kimbecking.com
Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Change, uncertainty and disruption are guaranteed – especially now. But growth and progress are not. How you deal with this ever-changing uncertain world is completely up to you. You have a choice. You can stay stuck or develop a Momentum Mindset® so that you can be more adaptable, resilient and ready for what’s next.
Kim shares her stories of resilience in life and business with healthy doses of vulnerability, humor and motivation and will share how to use resilience to not only navigate and cope during change and uncertainty but build a Momentum Mindset where you develop the resilience needed to push past limited thinking and use challenges, change and uncertainty as the fuel needed to propel you forward – stronger and better than ever – turning fear into fuel, obstacles into opportunity and resistance into buy-in.
Leave this program equipped with the tools you need to transform your mindset to think differently, become more adaptable, rock change and challenges and create the everyday resilience required in this rapidly changing world to reduce stress and ignite Unstoppable Momentum no matter what.
Leave this program knowing how to:
Affinity groups are designed to create safe spaces for members to share and process experiences. As allies, our affinity group also allows participants the opportunity to identify ways in which we can appropriately use our privilege to bring about social change. For more information, visit Northwest affinity groups.
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Contact Giselle Greenidge ggreenidge@nwmissouri.edu |
Contact Elyssa Ford ebford@nwmissouri.edu |
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Contact ALLY@nwmissouri.edu |
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These employee-led groups aim to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace. Contact each group individually.
The purpose of closing parking lots during football games is to provide accessible parking and augment institutional costs associated with the program. Lot 59 (adjacent to Bearcat Stadium) and Lot 2 (adjacent to the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building) are closed at 6 a.m. on game days. Lot 25 (the lower lot adjacent to the Administration Building) is periodically reserved for visitor tailgating on game days. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed from all lots at 6 a.m.
Lot 62 has 17 reserved spots for RV tailgating. Individuals who have reserved parking spaces have access, starting at 6:30 p.m. the day before home games until noon on the day after home games; special hours occur during Homecoming weekend. All parking lots that allow tailgating are open five hours prior to game time.
Click here for additional tailgating information.
Northwest Staff Council represents a unified voice for all Northwest staff. To learn about staff, upcoming events or voice concerns, visit Northwest Staff Council.
The Staff Council Executive Board for FY24 is:
The Staff Council T-Shirt fundraiser continues until Sept. 30. Proceeds go toward the Staff Council Scholarship Fund. Online orders will be submitted for print every two weeks. Allow 4-6 weeks to receive a shirt. Notifications will be sent to emails when shirt orders are ready.
To order T-shirts, visit https://www.nwmissouri.edu/staffcouncil/shirtorder.htm
Well-being and perks:
Health care:
The Office of Human Resources highlights the following resources that employees may use as necessary. Mindful by BlueKC, the EAP and TAO are completely confidential.
The University has established a partnership with Family Guidance Center to provide a crisis counselor on site. Holly McMillen, a certified licensed professional counselor, is available Monday through Friday to respond to any crisis or resource needs.
This service is confidential. Contact Holly directly to schedule an appointment at hmcmillen@fgcnow.org or 660.853.8196.
For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources at 660.562.1127.
Mindful by BlueKC is a behavioral health initiative dedicated to reducing stigma around behavioral health in our communities while making care accessible and affordable for members. Mindful by Blue KC is a commitment to covering the health needs of the whole person and comes to life as a set of tools and resources to address stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and more. This ensures that members can access and afford the behavioral health care they need.
Mindful Advocates are available 24/7 and are licensed behavioral health clinicians who match members to providers and guide care plans. Mindful Advocates may be contacted at 833.302.6463. For more information, visit Mindful by BlueKC initiative.
All Northwest employees are eligible to use Ability Assist Counseling Services sponsored by The Hartford. Click here to read about the benefits this program offers.
This is a private online library of behavioral health resources. It is a free and confidential resource available to Northwest employees and students. For more information, visit TAO-Therapy Assistance Online.
Wellness Services is offering a variety of online programing. Follow Wellness Services on Twitter and Instagram at @nw_wellness for updates.
The center provides reliable information about a variety of mental and behavioral health topics. For more information, visit New Directions Health Resources.
For information about a specific substance use, visit New Directions Substance Use Disorders Center, or call the Substance Use Disorder Hotline at 877.326.2458.
If you have questions, email healthybearcat@nwmissouri.edu.
Fall Fitness Challenge - still time to join!
Northwest’s fall fitness challenge, “Fall into Fitness Together,” began Monday, Sept. 25, via the MoveSpring App, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 19.
The goal for each race participant is to complete approximately two miles per day, or the equivalent in converted activities, for eight weeks, achieving a total goal of 112 miles. Together, we will embark on a culinary world tour, titled “Around the World in 8 Plates.”
For participants who are able to maintain the goal of two miles per day (14 miles per week), we will visit a new city or country each week. Participants who complete the challenge will be rewarded with a special meal, enjoying food from one of the countries on the tour.
For more information, including how to join the challenge, visit the exercise page of the Employee Wellness website.
3-Part Mental Health Support Series
Northwest continues its three-part series on Mental Health Support on the new Employee Wellness website. The series includes information and resources on the topics of sleep, relationship health and financial wellness.
Part III of this series, “Financial Wellness,” includes an informational video by MOSERS and links to upcoming MOSERS webinars as well as a recorded presentation, titled “Completing the Retirement Puzzle,” by David Gibson of Deferred Compensation. Visit the Financial Wellness page on the Employee Wellness website.
Foster Fitness Center activities
The Bearcat Strong Fitness Challenge begins Sunday, Oct. 1; sign up at the Foster Fitness Center. Find more information on the Employee Wellness Exercise web page.
Now you can access your member guide online! Click here and scan the QR code to get instant access to your member guide all year long.
USI's Benefits Resource Center is a free resource service for employees and encourages you to reach out for any information, questions or help with insurance or benefits.
Click this link to download a flyer with more details and contact information.
BlueKC is partnering with Sapphire Digital to offer SmartShopper, an incentive platform that can save members money on health care expenses every time they select a reward-eligible, lower-cost care for qualifying procedures such as MRIs, colonoscopies or blood work.
SmartShopper is embedded within the provider finder and cost estimator tools in your mybluekc.com portal. Click here to watch a short video about SmartShopper.
MOSERS offers educational programs to help members learn information about their benefits as they progress through their career and experience different life events along the way.
Newer Employees and MOSERS Webinars: Start learning about the state benefits administered by MOSERS.
Mid-Career Webinar: Learn how different career and life events may affect your pension benefit.
Ready to Retire Sessions: Learn about the retirement process and how different decisions may impact your pension benefit.
Stay up to date and visit www.mosers.org/education frequently for more information, including schedules and how to register.
For employees in a MOSERS eligible position and nearing retirement, keep in mind the termination and reemployment rules. Those rules state that before receiving a benefit payment from MOSERS, IRS rules require a “bona fide termination” of a member’s employment. For purposes of MOSERS Board Rules, a "bona fide termination" occurs when:
For more information, please see MOSERS' FAQs on termination and reemployment rules and its termination and reemployment rules flyer.
Please note, if an employee does not have a bona fide separation of service, their retirement will be null and void, meaning they will not receive their pension payments.
The MO Deferred Comp plan is a supplemental retirement savings option available to employees. Visit www.modeferredcomp.org to learn more about the plan, register for upcoming education sessions or find financial planning options.
Blue KC offers members digital tools to allow quick access to health insurance plan information to support them along their health journey.
Today, many members enjoy the convenience of Blue KC Virtual Care from their mobile device or laptop computer. Virtual care offers a fast, simple way to see a doctor 24/7 for sick care or to make an appointment with a behavioral health provider.
The Blue KC Virtual Care has moved from its own, standalone app to the MyBlueKC mobile app. This change means virtual care is now a feature in an app that members frequently use. With just a few taps, members can have a video visit with a doctor as well as get benefit information, view claims, download digital ID cards, and connect to health and wellness programs – all in one place. Make sure you have updated to the latest version of the MyBlueKC mobile app through your device settings for the virtual care functionality.
Click here for instructions on how to get the MyBlueKC app.
Some employees have received emails from financial planning companies implying they are partnered with MOSERS. The content of the emails suggests that members must pay for a meeting with a retirement counselor and that they can learn how to increase their retirement savings. This is inaccurate. MOSERS has not authorized any outside financial planners to advise our members on their MOSERS benefits.
As a reminder, the services offered through MOSERS and MO Deferred Comp are provided to MOSERS members at no cost. In regard to increasing their retirement savings, MOSERS members have the ability to meet with MO Deferred Comp financial education professionals to help make savings decisions as they prepare for retirement.
Northwest advises all MOSERS members to stay vigilant and double-check the addresses of email senders before clicking any links.
The A Healthier You program gives you convenient online and mobile access to wellness tools that you can use to live your healthiest life. Plus, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for chances to win gift cards to some popular retailers. For more information about the program, click here.
Blue365 is a free health and wellness discount program offered to Blue KC members for year-round discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating options and more. To register and browse available discounts, log in to your mybluekc.com portal and select Health Programs in the Health and Wellness menu. For more information about the program, click here.
The Foster Fitness Center, Student Recreation Center and Hughes Fieldhouse walking track are free for all employees and spouses to use. Employees and spouses must complete the assumption of risk and waiver of liability form on CatPAWS in advance of using the Foster Fitness Center.
The Hughes Fieldhouse walking track is available for employee use, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Employees should enter through the south doors, and parking is available in the south lots. Kids are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on the track. Click here to view a listing of when the walking track is not available.
Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville offers a personalized weight management program called Healthy Lifestyles. The program is designed to help people of all ages and sizes achieve an improved quality of life through medical nutritional counseling, teaching and lifestyle changes. For additional information about the program, visit Healthy Lifestyles: Personalized Weight Management Program.
Northwest employees are eligible for discounted single-game football tickets during the 2023 season. This discount is applicable to any Northwest employee and immediate family members for up to six tickets per home game when purchased prior to game day.
The discounted ticket rate is available for seating in two sections at Bearcat Stadium:
Discounted employee tickets must be purchased online no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to home games. Discounted employee tickets will not be sold on game days.
How to purchase discounted tickets
Click here to purchase game tickets and select the game you want to attend.
To apply the employee discount, scroll down on the web page and click “Have a passcode?” Enter your 919 number to unlock the employee ticket discount and purchase up to six tickets per game.
Home Chef is recognizing our nation’s educators and school support personnel with a 50 percent discount on their first scheduled Home Chef meal kit and a $10 discount on five subsequent deliveries. Simply use code EDU50 at checkout to begin receiving your education discount.
Home Chef makes home cooking simple. Their fresh, weekly meal kits are customized to your liking and delivered straight to your doorstep. Minimize your trips to the grocery store and distress your evenings with delicious, pre-planned meals starting at just $6.99 per serving. Here’s how it works:
Your education discount is available at //homechef.com/edu and, if you already are a customer, you can verify with ID.me on the payment page of your account to begin receiving 10 percent off all future orders.
The Office of Human Resources has generic Northwest cards for everyone to use as needed to show recognition and appreciation for other employees. These can also be used during the holiday season. Visit the Office of Human Resources on the first floor of the Administration Building to pick up some cards.
All Northwest employees now receive an e-bill to their University email, rather than a mailed paper bill. To opt out of an e-bill, complete the Paperless Billing Opt-Out form in MyNorthwest under Employee Resources -> Finance & Administration -> Billing.
https://www.nwmissouri.edu/intranet/employee/web/paperless-billing.htm
The mission of the Bearcat Food Pantry is to provide a source of food and necessities for Northwest students and employees experiencing food insecurity and hunger. The food pantry is located in the J.W. Jones Student Union and is accessible Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Thursday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to noon.
Northwest accepts food donations for the pantry at the Student Engagement Center and the Office of Student Affairs located on the second floor of the Student Union. For a list of most needed items, visit Bearcat Food Pantry. Monetary donations to support the food pantry should be directed to the Northwest Foundation and are tax-deductible.
Friends of International Students (FIS) is a community-based organization established to match interested area individuals and families (friends) with international students at Northwest. The program goals are to provide support to the students as they become adjusted to their new home and to promote friendship and understanding between people of different nationalities.
FIS is recruiting friends to connect with international students. Friends are asked to make contact with assigned students at least once a month during their year-long commitment to the program. Contact can take many forms, including family dinners, attending sporting events, pumpkin carving and various other activities involving two-way cultural tradition sharing. For more information or to apply, contact board members at FIS@nwmissouri.edu or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/international/services/friends/.
Visit the “How to Purchase Office Supplies” guide. Various binders, hanging file folders and other office supplies are available at no cost to departments at Central Receiving.
Purchasing has created instructional videos explaining how to create a purchase requisition and a Central Stores purchase requisition in Banner/INB. The videos are available in MyNorthwest, Employee Resources - Finance.
It is important for employees to apply good ergonomic practices. To view a complete list of ergonomic suggestions, visit Workstation safety guideline.
