Vol. 37 • NO. 5 • University EditionOctober, November 2017

The Occupational Health Clinic Health PlusWork/Life Connections - EAP

ConnectionProviding programs that support the well-being and productivity of Vanderbilt’s most valuable asset… YOU!

HEALTH WELLNESSVANDERBILT FACULTY & STAFF

What are some common riskfactors for breast cancer?• Family history of breast cancer:Highest risk comes from firstdegree relatives (mother, sistersand daughters)

• Known hereditary risk: This is the highest risk category andonly applies to 5–10% of breastcancer patients.

• Gender: Only 1% of breast cancer occurs in men.

• Age: Advancing age is the onlyrisk factor most women have.The peak age of incidence is 62.

• Race: Breast cancer occursmore frequently in Caucasianwomen but unfortunately themortality is higher amongminority populations.

• Obesity: Increases risk, par-ticularly in post-menopausalwomen.

• Unhealthy habits: Drinkingalcohol (more than onedrink/day), smoking and lack of exercise all increase risk.

• Breastfeeding: Decreases risk.What are the screening recom-mendations for breast cancer? We promote the NationalComprehensive Cancer Network(NCCN) guidelines. For average-risk women this includes breastawareness, an annual clinicalexam and an annual mammogramstarting at age 40. Screeningshould continue as long as awoman is in good health, andthere is no strict upper age limit.

Mary Hooks, MD, MBA, FACSAssociate Professor, Surgical

Oncology

Care Gap Alerts Vanderbilt Experts on Health

Breast Cancer

Go for the GoldComplete All 3 Steps by October 31

You spoke and we listened.Changes have been made to simplify the experience!

Earn Rewards

Complete Go for the Gold in the Health Plus Health Guide

Need Help?

$120 $60 $60

$240Faculty and staff paying for Vanderbilt

Health Plan benefits can earn a wellness credit available January 1.

+ + =

Compass Health AssessmentRetake yearly

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Wellness Actions Log Complete 5 out of 8

Game Plan For Your Health Rest for Success

Contact Health Plus | 615.343.8943 | vanderbi.lt/healthplusVisit the Health Plus Office Mon–Fri 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in VRWC

Be Your Best: Address Family Stress and DepressionStress is part of our lives and includes both major events and chronic hassles. Stress can affect the wholefamily, and often family stress is associated with depression. • About 20% or more of people in the U.S. will experience depression at some point in their lives. • The rate more than doubles for children of parents who have had depression. • Depression clearly runs in the family, but it is not inevitable. Early intervention may be the key to stopping the cycle and preventing depression in at-risk children andadolescents. Learning how stress and depression can affect parents and children and developing healthycoping skills to manage stress are important steps to take.If you are dealing with family stress or depression, you can contact Work/Life Connections-EAP at 615.936.1327 for an individual, confidential appointment to obtain support and guidance. You may also be interested in participating in the Helping Families Cope with Stress program. For more informationabout this program, call 615.450.0326 or visit familycoping.org.

Go for the Gold wellness credits of up to $240/year (amount based on Go for the Gold level achieved) earnedby University employees can be designated during Open Enrollment to be applied to either:• Health Plan Account to help offset deductible and coinsurance costs OR• Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center Membership (up to $20/month can be applied if Gold level isreached).

The wellness credit is available to faculty and staff paying for Vanderbilt Health Plan benefits in 2018.

Start here:

vanderbi.lt/gftgClick “I am an Employee” Welcome to the Health

Plus Health Guide!I am an Employee> >

(Continued on page 3)

Q:  Dear Counselor,I have a wonderful, yet challenging, 7-year-old son who was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Life at home can sometimes feel like a battlefield. Any tips to reduce conflict and encourage cooperation?Ready for a Ceasefire

A:  Dear Ready,Kids with ADHD can be smart, fun and creative. They can also be demand-ing, non-rule bound and argumentative. These kids generally need the highwire act of parenting, which involves more structure and consistent disciplinethan the average child might need. Russell Barkley, PhD, one of the top researchers in the field of ADHD, suggests the following:1. Learn to pay positive attention to your child. Generally, these kids canbe a magnet for negative attention. Instead, try catching your son when he is doing desirable behaviors and comment, positively, in order to reinforcecooperation.2. Give only one direction at a time with immediate feedback on how wellthe child is doing.3. Use a system of rewards and consequences to shape desired behavior. It may help to post a chart with house rules and responsibilities with visualindicators, like stickers, indicating positive behaviors.Keep in mind that taking care of yourself is also taking care of your children.Self-care is essential. For example, allow yourself to use family members orsitter services for respite breaks. Also, find opportunities to decompress orseek support from other parents who understand the demands on your energyand time. For additional information, visit russellbarkley.org. You may also go to the website for the nonprofit organization, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)chadd.org. CHADD offers information and support to parents, caregivers and individuals with ADHD.Finally, Work/Life Connections-EAP counselors are available if you would liketo talk about your specific situation and resources that couldprove helpful. Callfor a free, confiden-tial appointment at615-936-1327.

Work/Life Connections-EAP

The Counselor’s CornerEllen Clark, LCSW, CEAP

Going ThereWe ask you how you foster a culture of

caring and focus on your mental well-being

Rachel EskridgeDirector

Center for Student Wellbeing

How do you recharge after a stressful day at work?I enjoy being outside, especially walk-ing on the greenway or playing/watch-ing sports with my son. Practicing yogaand spending time with friends are alsoimportant for managing my stress.

Who do you lean on when you need someone to talk to?I feel lucky to have an incredible system of friends and family who I am not afraid to reach out to when Ineed support.

What does your office do to bond?We laugh a lot. We also take time to betogether outside of the office to go toyoga, or dinner, or to participate incommunity events. Our work can getchaotic and stressful, so we are veryintentional about checking in with andencouraging each other.

What do you value most about your team?Everything! We have a truly wonder-ful team at the Center for StudentWellbeing. Each team member has their own set of strengths and experiences that blend together nicely. Everyone uses their uniqueskills toward the same goal — toimprove the well-being of VU students.I value that our team enjoys being challenged and seeks out opportunitiesfor growth.

Occupational Health Clinic talk:

Don’t Get Tricked by Halloween TreatsR. Duke Chenault, DNP, RN, ACNP-CVanderbilt Occupational HealthHalloween is a time for spooky costumes, parties, treats and fun. Make sure youhave a safe and happy Halloween by following these tips from the FDA and CDC: • Avoid masks, bring a flash light and wear bright, reflective costumes that fit wellto avoid tripping hazards and to enhance visibility.

• Don’t wear decorative contact lens as permanent eye damage or vision loss canoccur.

• Test makeup on the arm for any allergic reaction before applying to the face. • Eat a healthy snack before going trick-or-treating to avoid the temptation to eattreats before they have been inspected.

• Only eat commercially packaged treats that have not been tampered with afterinspection. Discard anything that looks suspicious.

• Keep any choking hazards away from smaller children.• Check treat ingredients for any food or nut allergies. Additionally, Nena Bowman, PharmD, DABAT, Managing Director of theTennessee Poison Center, encourages you to watch out for these other commonHalloween hazards: • “The most common poison exposure we receive questions about duringHalloween is from glow sticks and glowjewelry. The chemicals in these productsare well tolerated but can cause severeirritation to the mouth, throat and eyes.We recommend a cold, sweet drink forexposures to the mouth and throat, and15 minutes of rinsing with room tem-perature water for exposures to the eye.”

• “The other exposure we see is to dry ice.Many like to use it to make a smoky,spooky environment. Dry ice is so coldit can cause skin burns when it touchesunprotected skin. It will also causesevere burns to the mouth and throat ifingested. We always recommend callingthe Tennessee Poison Center at 800.222.1222 with any questions or concerns. We are a free service with experienced poison specialists ready to help you 24/7.”

See the references below for even more tips for a fun, safe Halloween. Halloween Health and Safety Tips:https://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm‘Lucky 13’ Tips for a Safe Halloween:https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm230283.htm

Care Gap Alerts Vanderbilt Experts on Health

Breast Cancer(continued from page 1)

For higher-risk women, guidelinesrecommend more frequent clinicalexams. For women with a family history, screening mammographyshould begin 10 years younger thanthe youngest family member diag-nosed with breast cancer, but notyounger than age 30.What preventive measures can be taken? Healthy lifestyle choices are impor-tant, including exercise, smoking cessation and minimal alcohol con-sumption. For women at high risk,the recommendations depend on therisk factor(s). There are medical andsurgical ways to prevent breast can-cer, but these are only for women athigh risk. What are some myths about breastcancer? • It is not treatable and/or curable.• A mastectomy (surgical removal ofthe breasts) is required to effective-ly treat breast cancer.

• Having lumpy breasts increases therisk of developing breast cancer.

• It is caused by deodorant.What is one piece of informationthat you want to be sure everyoneis aware of with regards to breastcancer?Participating in a breast cancerscreening program will increase thechances that, if you develop breastcancer, it will be detected in an earlytreatable stage, you will be able tokeep your breast, and you will live along and healthy life. Also, mammo-grams don’t hurt (that much). If ithas been painful in the past, you maywant to take ibuprofen before theexam.

Celebrate health & wellness this holiday season with

Health Plus

Hold the Stuffing ReturnsTake the holiday challenge to maintain weight from November to January and earn rewards.Weigh in November 8 – 22 at:• Health Plus offices, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2700 Children’s Way• Occupational Health Clinic, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Medical Arts Building, Suite 640• View the full schedule for additional weigh-in locations and details at vanderbi.lt/hts.

Hold the Stuffing Comes To YouContact HealthPlus to schedule a weigh-in for your department. Vanderbilt locations witha weight scale can receive a tool kit for participation.For more information contact HealthPlus at 615.343.8943 or vanderbi.lt/healthplus.

BreastCancerAwarenessExpoOctober is Breast CancerAwareness Month. Join withVanderbilt to learn the facts aboutbreast cancer, celebrate survivor-ship and remember loved ones, andraise awareness about steps toreduce the risk of getting breastcancer.• Wednesday, October 411:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Light Hall, North Lobby

Initial Weigh-InsNovember 8 – 22

Celebrate health & wellness this holiday season with

Health Plus

Visit your local grocery store to find family-friendly favorites containing wholegrains, real fruit and less sugar. Have these available as an alternative to the candy bowl:• Fruit snacks made with 100% fruit• Fruit leathers made with 100% fruit• Whole-grain cheddar flavored crackers• Animal-shaped graham crackers• Dark chocolate covered blueberries or cherries• Trail mix with dark chocolate• Low-fat chocolate pudding cup• Sugar-free gumIf you’re planning on making your own treats, try the easy recipe below!

Dark Chocolate CherryPistachio Clusters

1. Melt dark chocolate over double boiler or in microw

ave.

2. Using a cheese grater, grate skin of an orange into th

e

chocolate. 3. In a separate bowl, mix p

istachios and cherries.

4. Stir the fruit and nut mixture into the chocolate.

5. Spread wax paper over a baking sheet.

6. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of chocolate mixture onto

wax

paper. Repeat. 7. Place clusters in refrigera

tor for 15 minutes to set.

Serves 12. Nutrition per serving (serving size 1 cluster

):

153 calories, 12 g total fat (5 g saturated fat), 0 mg

cholesterol,

48 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 5 g suga

r, 4 g protein

• 1/2 cup dried cherries,

coarsely chopped

• 1 cup roasted, unsalted

pistachios, coarsely

chopped

• 6 ounces 72% (or

greater) dark chocolate

• 1 tablespoon orange

zest

Source: Ellie Krieger (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/cherry-almond-chocolate-clusters-recipe.html)

Eating-Well Recipe

DiabetesPreventionProgram ReceivesCDC RecognitionVanderbilt Health & Wellness has received a Certificate of FullRecognition from the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention(CDC) for its Diabetes PreventionProgram for employees.Health & Wellness offers the evidence-based CDC DiabetesPrevention Program to Vanderbiltemployees and spouses who havepre-diabetes or who are at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Led by a trained lifestyle coach, theyear-long group program focuses onweight loss through healthier eating,reducing stress and getting more physical activity.For more information about theDiabetes Prevention Program, callHealth Plus at 615.343.8943 or goto healthandwellness.vanderbilt.edu/news/2014/05/diabetes-prevention-program.

BreastfeedingResourcesFrom breastfeeding classes to lacta-tion rooms, Vanderbilt offers a widevariety of breastfeeding resourcesfor faculty and staff. Expectant andcurrent mothers can find informa-tion and support for their breast-feeding and pumping practices by visiting the Child and FamilyCenter’s “Baby’s Best Start”resource page at vanderbilt.edu/child-family-center/resource-articles/babys-best-start.phpand the Margaret CuninggimWomen’s Center’s “BreastfeedingWelcomed Here” resource page atvanderbilt.edu/WomensCenter/resources/breastfeeding-welcomed-here-campaign.

Healthier Candy Alternatives!

With Halloween just around the corner, you can ensure a healthier holiday with these tips.

HR Corner Getting The Most Out of Your Benefits

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to update orchoose the benefit options that best meet your and yourfamily’s needs. During Open Enrollment, you can elect,make changes to, or waive:• Health, dental and vision insurance• Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance• Health care flexible spending accounts, which reim-burse medical expenses for you and your dependents

• Dependent day care flexible spending accounts, which reimburse day care service expenses for yourdependents

Partially benefits-eligible faculty and staff may elect ormake changes to health plan coverage only.Fully benefits-eligible faculty and staff can makechanges to other benefit programs anytime, including during Open Enrollment. These include: • Supplemental life insurance (through My VU Benefits)• Long-term disability insurance (through My VUBenefits)

• Short-term disability insurance (staff only, through MyVU Benefits)

• Retirement plan contributions and investments (throughFidelity NetBenefits®)

• Discounted pet, auto and home insurance, directlythrough the providers

Partially benefits-eligible faculty and staff can elect ormake changes to:• Health plan coverage, during Open Enrollment• Retirement plan contributions and investments anytime(through Fidelity NetBenefits®)

• Discounted pet, auto and home insurance anytimethrough the providers

Even if you don’t plan to make changes, you should login to My VU Benefits to: • Make sure your dependent and beneficiary informationis up to date, correct and complete

• Confirm your current elections• Attest to whether or not you and your covered familymembers use tobacco. You’ll save $20 per month onpremiums if you’re committed to being tobacco-free

Countdown to Open EnrollmentElect 2018 Benefits Oct. 17–31

Learn More• Online at hr.vanderbilt.edu/oe• In MyVU• In the mailer coming to your home• At the Benefits Open House on October 19 from10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 10th floor of theBaker Building in the Human ResourcesTraining Room

• If you carry coverage for your spouse, confirm yourspouse’s eligibility for coverage elsewhere. If yourspouse has access to health insurance through anotheremployer — including Vanderbilt University MedicalCenter — you’ll pay a spousal fee of $100 per month

After the plan year starts, you can only make coveragechanges if you have a qualifying life event. Consider yourchoices carefully; changes and corrections cannot happenexcept within the enrollment period or within 30 days of aqualifying event (like getting married or having a baby).

Get your VUnetIDand password ready.You need them toenroll. If you don’tremember yourVUnetID or yourpassword, visit it.vanderbilt.edu/accessvu.

upcoming eventsOCT4

OCT5

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6

October

Breast Cancer Awareness Expo11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Light Hall, North Lobby

Know Your Numbers & Go for the Gold8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Law School, Bass Berry Simms Room #22

Know Your Numbers & Go for the Gold11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Kirkland Hall, Room 201

Know Your Numbers & Go for the Gold11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Kennedy Center, Room 241

Boomers, Elders & MoreMedicare BasicsNoon to 1:00 p.m.Light Hall, Room 431

Vandy CooksLatin Cuisine6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Presented by the Latin American and CaribbeanStudent AssociationVanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center DemoKitchen

Benefits Open House10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Baker Building, 10th Floor,Human Resources Training Room

Babies & You* Choosing a PediatricianNoon to 1:00 p.m.Presented by Rachel Mace, MD, University PediatricsLight Hall, Room 411

November

Hold the Stuffing Expo10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Light Hall, North Lobby

Hold the Stuffing11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Kirkland Hall, Room 201

Hold the Stuffing11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Law School, Bennett Miller Room #222

Boomers, Elders & MoreMindfulness for the Family CaregiverNoon to 1:00 p.m.Light Hall, Room 431

Babies & You* Caring for Your Family Means Caring for YourselfNoon to 1:00 p.m.Presented by Rosette Chakkalakal, MD, Internal MedicineLight Hall, Room 411

Vandy CooksTailgating and Family GatheringsNoon to 1:00 p.m.Presented by Campus Dining Chef Austin IrvinVanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center DemoKitchen

OCT18

OCT19

OCT18

OCT19

OCT13

If you have questions regarding the Boomers, Elders & Moreevents, contact Stacey Bonner, Family Services Coordinator,at 936.1990, or at stacey.l.bonner@vanderbilt.edu.

Looking to get your flu shot? Check the OHC flu calendar fre-quently at healthandwellness.vanderbilt.edu/occupational-health/flu for a list of upcoming flu on-sites. The calendar isconstantly updated during flu season.

*Babies & You is a prenatal health program offered by HealthPlus for VU employees, spouses and dependents.The classes are provided monthly with a $50 incentive forthose who register in their first trimester, attend at least 3monthly classes and go to all prenatal provider appointments.For more information, class location or to register online,visit healthplus.vanderbilt.edu.

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Vanderbilt Health & WellnessVanderbilt University1211 21st Ave. S.Medical Arts Building, Suite 640Nashville, TN 37212

Non-Profit Organ.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBIRMINGHAM, ALPERMIT NO. 761

HEALTH WELLNESSVANDERBILT FACULTY & STAFF

© HHI36132 VU 11.17

Health and Wellness Connection Newsletter Editor:

Andrew Haag, MBA, Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness

Contact andrew.haag@vanderbilt.edu or 615.936.3735.

Health and Wellness Director: Mary Yarbrough, MD, MPH

Department Managers:Lori Rolando, MD, MPH, The Occupational Health Clinic

Brad Awalt, MS, ACSM, Health PlusJim Kendall, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP, Work/Life Connections-EAP

Paula McGown, MSN, MAcc, CPA, Health & Wellness Administration

In This Issue:

Complete Go for the Gold by October 31Care Gap Alerts with Dr. Mary HooksGoing There with Rachel EskridgeDon’t Get Tricked by HalloweenTreatsHealthier Candy AlternativesCountdown to Open EnrollmentHave a topic you want to see covered? Email usat health.wellness@vanderbilt.edu.

The Healthy PulseFOR FACULTY AND STAFF AT VANDERBILT

The influenza vaccination rate for Vanderbilt University increasedfrom 38% in 2006–07 to 50% in 2016–17 and has remained at or above 50% for the last several years. Now in its 7th year,Flulapalooza is part of a comprehensive effort to encourage andfacilitate influenza vaccination for all of Vanderbilt’s faculty andstaff. The CDC’s Advisory Council on Immunization Practicesrecommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive theannual flu vaccine to protect yourself and those around you fromgetting the flu.

Data sources:U.S.: CDC.gov/flu/fluvaxviewNational Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

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U.S.

VU

Healthy People2020 Goal

“Laughter is an instant vacation.”– Milton Berle

38% 36%

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