Work-Life

Ronnie lost 40 pounds and maintains a healthy weight, thanks to UK Healthtrac Rewards.

Ronnie Chaffins, spouse of a UK employee, had been participating in UK Healthtrac Rewards for two years when he decided to take advantage all the program offers -- not just the monetary rewards. Ronnie was ready for a change. He had reached his highest weight and had high cholesterol and minor blood pressure problems. "Every time I looked at a picture of myself, I simply looked heavy," Ronnie said. "I did not like that picture."Continue reading Ronnie's success story.

Want to improve your health AND earn money like Ronnie? Join UK Healthtrac Rewards today!

UK Healthtrac Rewards is an easy-to-use, confidential online health improvement program that offers you an overview of your current health status and feedback specific to you. Any UK employee, retiree, spouse or sponsored dependent enrolled in one of the UK health plans is eligible to participate.

Be aware: Using Healthtrac may cause desirable side effects such as improved health awareness, handy access to reliable health information, and even improved health. In addition, you may earn up to $180 per fiscal year for participating. From January 1 through March 31, 2010, you will be able to complete the Health Assessment and earn $25. You may choose to do more to earn more. Start making good health pay today! For details, visit the Web site.

While you're there, don't miss the special video message from Rich Brooks and read about other Healthtrac participants who improved their health and changed their lives! Check it out

Check it out here

Submit Annual Performance Evaluations by Friday, February 26, 2010

Completed performance evaluation forms are due February 26. For complete details on the performance evaluation process and printer-friendly forms. For details, visit this page.

Hiring Enhancement Program Free Training Events - for Supervisors/Hiring Officials

The hiring process can be overwhelming and time consuming. The goal of the Hiring Enhancement Program is to help hiring officials be as successful as possible in balancing time spent in this critical process and ensuring that they get the most qualified, best-fit candidate. Upcoming training topics include: Behavior Based Interviewing and Hiring Fundamentals/Effective Job Postings. Click here for details.

New! New Online Resource for Caregivers

UK Work-Life Director Robynn Pease highlights a free caregiving resource for UK employees. Robynn's office has introduced a new online resource that enables caregivers to set up an online site to help coordinate caregiving for family members, friends, or co-workers. If you're part of a group providing care for a loved one - or support for co-workers or friends in need - this resource is for you. Click here for details.

Managing Winter Stress

Our coordinator for UK Work+Life Connections, a free counseling service for UK employees, has a few good tips for helping manage stress this season. Visit this page for details.

Hiring Enhancement Program Free Training Events - for Supervisors/Hiring Officials

The hiring process can be overwhelming and time consuming. The goal of the Hiring Enhancement Program is to help hiring officials be as successful as possible in balancing time spent in this critical process and ensuring that they get the most qualified, best-fit candidate. Upcoming training topics include: Behavior Based Interviewing and Hiring Fundamentals/Effective Job Postings. Click here for details.

Career Development Workshops

Please join us for UK Career Development's 2010 workshop series, including:

• Interviewing With Confidence, Friday, Jan. 22
• Career Planning Series, Session #1: Personality Assessment, Thursday, Jan. 28
• Career Planning Series, Session #2: Skills Assessment, Friday, Feb. 5
• Career Planning Series, Session #3: Values and Interests Assessment, Thursday, Feb. 11

Workshops are held at either Scovell Hall or W.T. Young Library and begin at noon and last approximately 90 minutes. Registration is required. Click here for a complete schedule.

Elder Care

The Impact of Medical Identity Theft on Victims and Organizations

Jan. 20, Hospital Learning Center, Room B, noon to 1 p.m. Lynn Crothers, Presenter. Medical identity theft can happen to anyone although the elderly, physically/mentally handicapped and children are often the easiest targets. Learn how to keep up with identity/medical identify theft issues via web sites. Learn what is happening in Frankfort regarding medical identity theft. Types of identity thieves, including which type is the most dangerous, will be discussed. Steps victims and organizations can take to mitigate risk will be covered. Register by calling the Hospital Learning Center at 323-0628 or online through myUK. For more information, call Elder Care at 323-4600.

Health & Wellness

• Free Health Smart Presentation: Keeping Your Children Healthy
  Learn how to manage and prevent children's illnesses. Join us for the next free Health Smart Conversation about Your Health: "Keeping Your Children Healthy," presented by Dr. Carmel Wallace, Chief, UK HealthCare Division of General Pediatrics, January 27, noon-1 p.m., 127 Wethington Bldg. Bonus: Those who attend will receive a free "Healthier at Home" book! View the schedule and register online today.
• Heart Sole & Glove 5K Run/Walk
  The annual Heart Sole & Glove 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, Feb. 13, at 10:00 a.m., at Coldstream Park (Newtown Pike and Aristides Blvd.). The Kids Fun Run, for ages 6 and under, begins at 9:30 a.m. Sign-in or register on race day inside Embassy Suites on Newtown Pike, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The first 100 registrants will receive a free pair of winter running gloves the day of the race. Entry fee is $15 pre-registration and $20 day of race. The Kids Fun Run is FREE. Part of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. The event is open to the community -- so, challenge your friends and family to join you! Register today.
• Start! Moving Spring Challenge
  UK Health & Wellness and UK HealthCare are proud to bring you the American Heart Association's Start! Campaign, a physical activity initiative to fight heart disease and stroke by getting people moving through workplace walking programs. UK's Spring Challenge runs from Feb. 3 to April 16. You must register for the challenge by Feb. 26. Please join us for the Start Kickoff Walk Feb. 3, at noon, Seaton Center, Room 132 (North Gymnasium). There will be prize drawings. For more information and to register online, visit the Web site.
• In a SNAP! Lunch & Learn Series
  Please join us for FREE sessions to help you learn simple ways to lead a healthier, happier life -- in a SNAP. Topics are: "Simplify Your Life," "Get Stronger," and "Healthy Eating." Register online today.
• Get a free health screening
  Get a FREE Wellness on Wheels mobile health screening. Ten-minute appointments consist of tests for cholesterol (fasting optional), glucose and triglycerides, height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. Make an appointment online today.

The $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers has been extended for purchase contracts completed before May 1, 2010 (with closings before July 1, 2010). Visit the Web site for details.

Your UK dining establishments are thinking green, right down to the oil used to cook your french fries. UK Dining Services sets aside used cooking oil for pickup by a firm specializing in recycling cooking oil for use as biodiesel fuel (among other uses).