“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it.”
― Mary Oliver

Parents…we want to hear from you:  GMHEC Well-being is interested in pulling together resources and/or a parents alliance to address your concerns and support your well-being though this most challenging time and we need your input.   In your experience and/or from what you’re hearing from other working parents, what are some of your most pressing challenges right now? What might help you cope better? What might help you effectively manage through what you’re facing and feel more empowered and positive while doing it?   Please reach out to rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org and share your thoughts.  All responses will be kept confidential.  If you prefer to talk by phone, you can reach me at (802) 443-5476.  Your input in most appreciated. 

While we’re on the subjects of parents…are you interested in some good old-fashioned family fun?  How about a corn maze?  A corn maze is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get some physical activity and have some fun with the family.  It’s fun for adults too and there are some great options around our State.  

• Whitcomb’s Land of Pumpkins & Corn Maze in Williston
• Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville
• Percy Farm Corn Maze in Stowe
• Hathaway Farm Corn Maze in Rutland
• Sam Mazza’s Corn Maze in Colchester

Feeling a little frazzled?  Would you like to be more centered and focused going into your day?  Then join the Morning meditation with Beth.  Join Beth, yoga, meditation instructor, navigational coach and bodywork therapist as she guides you through a powerful morning meditation.  Using your breath and visualization you’ll be guided to have an opportunity to feel into your future self.  All you need is a quiet space, a comfortable cushion or chair and twenty minutes of no outside distractions.  Meditation experience is not necessary.   For the record…Beth’s definition of meditation is the art and act of just becoming familiar with…that’s all.  Mondays and Wednesdays beginning November 2^nd 7:30-8:00 am EST.  Zoom Meeting ID: 510 175 4836

Prefer to start your day with some movement?  Then Join Kim Jacobs, ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor for Strength & Core with Kim.  This 45-minute total body strength training class will increase your strength, support your joints and increase your flexibility. This class emphasizes functional strength exercises to improve your movement in life. It is helpful for participants to have hand weights (one set of heavy weights and another of light) and a set of resistance bands.  Mondays and Wednesdays 7:15-8:00 am EST.  To sign up for this class email Kim at kim@bfitvt.com.

Let’s get cooking! Join Nancy Wind, coach, yoga instructor and founder of Peaks and Poses for a plant-based cooking series.  Recipes will be made available ahead of time.  Register for one session or all four.  Click here to register.  All workshops will be offered from 6:00-8:00 pm EST.

• Monday, October 26^th:   Learn about Ayurveda, food prep tips and eating with the seasons
• Wednesday, November 4^th: Plant based holiday cooking
• Monday, November 16^th: Plant based holiday cooking
• Monday, December 7^th: Self-care during the holidays and beyond

Finances are always a hot topic and Covid has certainly heightened financial stress for many of us.  Check out these live webinars brought to you by the team at My Secure Advantage and enhance your financial well-being.  Middlebury College employees are eligible for free financial coaching through My Secure Advantage. 

• Getting & keeping good credit: Tuesday, November 10^th 12:00-1:00 pm EST.  Register here. 
• Your debt free game plan: Thursday, November 19^th 12:00-1:00 pm EST.  Register here. 

Commit to get fit: If you’re ready to optimize your health and well-being, The Edge online 90 Day Commit to Get Fit Program is just what will help you do it.  The next program will be kicking off on Wednesday, October 28th and there is still time to register.  This comprehensive online wellness program is designed to provide an education to enrich your life and help you become healthier. Over the course of 13 weeks you will work with a health coach, a Registered Dietitian, and a personal trainer to support you to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors. Topics will include fitness, nutrition, stress management and behavior modification. This program will help you build a customized wellness plan, reduce your health risk factors, reduce body fat and gain muscle, better manage stress and learn how stay on track.   There is a fee associated with this program, but a portion may be covered by your health insurance and GMHEC will kick in a portion of the payment.  Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm EST.  To learn more, contact Nicole Williams, Director of The Edge Preventative Care at NWilliams@edgevt.com.

EDGE Next Steps Nutrition & Exercise to Improve Type II Diabetes Program:  Do you have type II diabetes?  Would you like to gain the knowledge and confidence to improve your health?  If so, join the team from The Edge for this comprehensive eight-week program focused on the positive impact of nutrition and exercise to improve Type II Diabetes.  Over the course of the 8 weeks you will get: 

• Weekly virtual group nutrition sessions
• 3 one on one virtual nutrition sessions with a Registered Dietitian
• Pre and Post Health Risk Assessment Screenings
• In home or EDGE Exercise Plan designed by a certified exercise specialist
• Access to discounted EDGE membership
• Meal and Recipe Ideas to fuel your body and improve your insulin sensitivity

This program may be FULLY covered by your insurance plan.  Begins Wednesday, November 4^th.   6:00-7:00 pm EST.  For more information or to reserve your spot contact genavix@edgevt.com or 802-951-2320.  Learn more about this program here. 

Supporting Remote Workers: Balancing family and work:  This is the second live webinar offered as part of the State of Vermont Worksite Wellness Workshop Series.  Join Natalie Glynn of Let’s Grow Kids to discuss strategies for how workplaces can support employees during this challenging time.  Thursday, November 5th 9:00-10:00 am EST.  Space is limited so register now. Register here. 

5 Ways to Improve Connection and Engagement with Remote Teams: Remote work looks different for every organization. But no matter if this is the first time 100% of your employees are working remotely, you have a hybrid system made of office and front line workers, or if only a handful of employees work from home a few days a week, we’re all challenged with the same thing, creating meaningful connection with our remote teams. So how are we able to fill the human connection gap? During this interactive webinar Director of Talent Development & Culture at BizLibrary, Libby Mullen, will explain simple ways to foster genuine conversations and bring your remote teams together.  Thursday, November 5th noon-1:00 pm EST.   Preregistration required.  Click here to register.  

Organization for Life:   Is your motto “organized chaos”? If you crave organization but struggle to achieve it, this webinar is for you.  Join the experts from New Directions Behavioral Health (NDBH) and come away with practical tips to overhaul your organization skills.  NDBH is the EAP provider for Champlain College, Middlebury College and St. Michael’s but this session is available to faculty and staff from all GMHEC colleges.  Wednesday, October 28th noon-1:00 pm EST or 3:00-4:00 pm EST.  Registration required.  Click here to register.  

Leading Through Adversity: Adapting to Uncertainty and Supporting Your Employees in the Face of Fatigue:  People face different adversities in the workplace, and it’s important for leaders to address those. This past year has challenged us to think about ourselves as humans first and leaders second.  In discussing adversities in the workplace caused by lack of racial justice, and also her very own journey in battling cancer, join Charlene Wheeless, CEO of advisory company Charlene Wheeless, LLC and chair of the Page Society for a conversation about how leaders can lead with compassion and overcome adversity in order to better connect with, engage and support their employees.  Wednesday, October 28th 2:00-3:00 pm EST.  Preregistration required. Click here to register. 

Feeling a little stiff or sore lately?  Wondering about the ergonomics of your at-home work station? Check out this short video presented by Brian Mitchell, Certified Ergonomist, and learn some tips and tricks that you can implement to help you set up a more ideal work station. 

And of course, our lunch time fitness classes with Jeff and Yoo-Sun continue as does our partnership with True Center Yoga.  The yoga schedule is posted on the calendar so check it out.  The calendar password is GMHECWell-Being.

For the VT campus, the first standard bi-weekly pay day of calendar year 2021 would have fallen on Friday, January 1^st. However, because New Year’s Day is a national holiday the pay day will be moved to Thursday, December 31, 2020.  This will create a 27^th pay day in 2020. 

What impact will that have on paychecks?

In terms of earnings it will be a standard pay period with employees receiving pay for work conducted from December 14 – December 27. However, because most benefits premiums are calculated based on a 26 pay periods in a year, employee deductions for standard core plans will be skipped in the 27^th pay period of the year.  This applies to health, dental, vision, voluntary life/ADD&D, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts contributions. 

If you have any questions about your last check of the year please contact payroll@gmhec.org.

Updated pay periods for 2020 and 2021 can be found here:

http://www.middlebury.edu/offices/business/hr/comp/paycalendar

For current benefits-eligible employees, annual open enrollment for 2021 benefits will take place October 30 – November 15. This year, employees will complete open enrollment via self-service within Oracle HCM. The process will be supported by our partners at the Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium.

Learn More

There will be live Benefit Overview Sessions for you to attend via Zoom. There will also be an Overview Session from Cigna on the medical & dental plans and Health Equity on the Health Savings Account.  If you cannot make a session there will be recorded videos of the Overviews, Medical & Dental Plans, Health Savings Accounts, Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts and Unum benefits for you to view.

Information on these sessions and the 2021 Enrollment Guide will be available on a new website Friday October 23^rd  https://www.middlebury.edu/office/human-resources/ oracle-hcm/open-enrollment or enter go/openenrollment from the Middlebury website.

If you have questions about your current benefits or open enrollment please contact benefits@gmhec.org or call 802-443-5485.

It is likely that influenza (flu) viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. Annual flu vaccines are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all U.S. citizens older than six months of age, barring any medical contraindications. The CDC also notes that vaccination reduces the burden of respiratory illness due to COVID-19 and the likelihood that an individual would need to quarantine if they develop respiratory symptoms. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.  While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, there are many important benefits, such as:

1. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
2. Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

You can get your flu vaccine at your primary care practice or at many local pharmacies. For a list of Cigna in-network pharmacies click here. Staying in network for your vaccine will ensure that your vaccine is covered, and you don’t incur any unexpected costs. 

In addition, Middlebury College will be offering three flu vaccination clinics for Vermont faculty and staff free of charge in collaboration with our partners at Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium and Addison County Home Health & Hospice. Two clinics will be available on campus on October 21 and October 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Goldsmith Lounge at the Virtue Field House. These two clinics are available only for faculty and staff who have been approved to work on campus. An additional clinic will be hosted at 700 Exchange Street on October 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for employees working remotely.

Now is the optimal time to get vaccinated as it will ensure you are covered during peak flu season which runs from November to April. Due to strict COVID-19 protocols, vaccinations will be by appointment only. Please visit https://go.oncehub.com/MiddleburyCollegeEmployeeFluClinic to reserve a time. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Required safety protocols will be communicated to participants directly prior to the scheduled appointment.

Contact Laura Carotenuto in Human Resources with any questions: lcaroten@middlebury.edu or (802) 443-2012.

“The radical acceptance of all of our emotions, even the messy, difficult ones, is the cornerstone to resilience, thriving, and true, authentic happiness.” — Susan David

Strength & Core with Kim: Join Kim Jacobs, ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor for a 45-minute total body strength training class using hand weights and resistance bands in the comfort and safety of your home. Just two sessions per week, performed consistently will increase your strength, support your joints and increase your flexibility. This class emphasizes functional strength exercises to improve your movement in life. It is helpful for participants to have hand weights (one set of heavy weights and another of light) and a set of resistance bands.  Mondays and Wednesdays 7:15-8:00 am EST.  To sign up for this class email Kim at kim@bfitvt.com

10 Tips for exercising with type II diabetes: Join Nicole Williams, Certified Exercise Physiologist from The Edge to learn safe and effective ways to be active with type II diabetes.  Learn how exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels, the importance of a consistent exercise routine, recommended physical activity for people living with type II diabetes, appropriate types of exercise and how to get started.  Wednesday, October 14^th.  noon – 1 pm EST.  Preregistration required.  Click here to register. 
 
Mindful Pause book discussion group: This 4-week program invites you to engage in the Guided Resilience approach to well-being as described in Cami Smalley’s Amazon best-selling book, “Mindful Pause: A Self-Care Guide to Resilience and Well-Being.”  Learn to tap into your hero capacities! Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, Energy, and Strengths are evidence-based capacities that protect and promote your resilience and well-being. Each chapter of Mindful Pause walks you through the steps to target holistic change that has the power to improve vitality and ultimately, satisfaction, in the ways you live, work, and relate in the world. Over the course of the four weeks you will receive:

• Four 60 min sessions via Zoom
• 15 minutes at the end of each session with Coach Cami for questions and group coaching support
• Professional group coaching support to help integrate new behaviors successfully into your busy lifestyle
• Access to professional coaching platform for accountability and goal-setting support

Wednesdays, October 14^th though the 28^th.  4:00 – 5:00 pm EST.  Space is limited so preregistration is required.  To register, contact Rebecca Schubert at Rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org by 5 pm EST on Tuesday, October 13^th.  You can order your copy of Mindful Pause: A Self-Care Guide to Resilience and Well-Being by Coach Cami on Amazon (paperback $12.99) or Kindle ($2.99 reduced price during current pandemic) You do not need a kindle reader…only the app on your device.
 
Live financial forum: Debt & savings:  This is a great time of year to focus on debt and saving issues since the holidays are right around the corner. Join the expert money coaches from My Secure Advantage to get answers to your questions related to investing, mortgages, retirement and more.  Preregistration required.  Thursday, October 22^nd noon-1 pm EST.  Click here to register.  This webinar is open to everyone.  Middlebury College faculty and staff do have access to free money coaching through MSA.  To learn more see the “Financial Well-being” section of the well-being resource guide here. 
 
Essential Leadership Skills: Join the experts from New Directions Behavioral Health (NDBH) and become a more versatile and skilled leader by connecting with the fundamentals of powerful leadership. Assess your current strengths and challenges with the goal of enhancing your current skillset. Wednesday, October 21^st.  Two sessions available:  noon-1 pm or 3:00-4:00 pm EST.  Registration required.  Click here to register.  NDBH is the EAP provider for Champlain College, Middlebury College and St. Michael’s but this session is available to faculty and staff from all GMHEC colleges. 

Organization for Life: Is your motto “organized chaos”? If you crave organization but struggle to achieve it, this webinar is for you.  Join the experts from New Directions Behavioral Health and come away with practical tips to overhaul your organization skills.  This session is available to faculty and staff from all GMHEC colleges.  Wednesday, October 28^th.  Two sessions available:  noon-1 pm or 3:00-4:00 pm EST.  Registration required.  Click here to register.  

Wellness Strategies to Mitigate Isolation Among a Dispersed Workforce: As organizations worldwide continue to work remotely to protect the physical health of employees from the threat of COVID-19, another more insidious threat has presented itself to the workforce.  While critically important in these uncertain times, social distancing has increased feelings of isolation for individuals worldwide—and studies have shown it can significantly harm mental, emotional and physical health. Join Dr. David Batman, an internationally known expert on work-related health issues with over 30 years of experience in occupational medicine for this can’t miss webinar.  In this webinar, you’ll learn:

• Ways in which isolation can impact mental wellbeing, physical health and performance
• Steps that workplaces can take to help mitigate the negative health effects of isolation on employees and productivity
• Actions individuals can take to mitigate the effects of isolation and build their resilience
• Ways to promote social connections and protect the organizational culture in a safe and socially distant manner

Tuesday, October 20^th noon – 1pm EST.  Preregistration required.  Click NWilliams@edgevt.com.

EDGE Next Steps Nutrition & Exercise to Improve Type II Diabetes Program:  Do you have type II diabetes?  Would you like to gain the knowledge and confidence to improve your health?  If so, join the team from The Edge for this comprehensive eight-week program focused on the positive impact of nutrition and exercise to improve Type II Diabetes.  Over the course of the 8 weeks you will get: 

• Weekly virtual group nutrition sessions
• 3 one on one virtual nutrition sessions with a Registered Dietitian
• Pre and Post Health Risk Assessment Screenings
• In home or EDGE Exercise Plan designed by a certified exercise specialist
• Access to discounted EDGE membership
• Meal and Recipe Ideas to fuel your body and improve your insulin sensitivity

This program may be FULLY covered by your insurance plan.  Mondays, November 2nd through December 21st.  6:00-7:00 pm EST.  For more information or to reserve your spot contact genavix@edgevt.com or 802-951-2320.  Learn more about this program here. 

Curious to hear from parents…. In your experience and/or from what you’re hearing from other working parents, what are some of your most pressing challenges right now? What might help you cope better? What might help you effectively manage through what you’re facing and feel more empowered and positive while doing it?  I’m interested in pulling together resources and/or a support group to address your concerns and support your well-being though this most challenging time and am asking for your input.  Please reach out to me at rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org.  Your input in most appreciated.  Thank you.

And as always…. Lunch-time fitness classes and yoga continue.  Jump in and join us for some movement.

Hello everyone,

We are excited to bring training sessions to provide additional support and comfortability within Oracle HCM. These sessions will be hosted by Human Resources and will take place over Zoom over the next three weeks. These sessions are completely optional, but participation is encouraged if you still have outstanding questions about HCM. These sessions will be tailored to the audiences so please come prepared with your questions or the areas you would like a better overview on. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pre-registration is not required but greatly appreciated. Please email Brian Cash (bpcash@middlebury.edu) or Chelsea Daneault (cdaneault@middlebury.edu) and they will forward you the Outlook invitation with Zoom details.

Manager Self Service

• Thursday, October 15^th at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 20^th at 8:30 a.m.
• Thursday, October 29^th at 11 a.m.

Employee Self Service

• Wednesday, October 14^th at 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 20^th at 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 30^th at 8:30 a.m.

Sincerely,

The Human Resources Team

What’s on tap for well-being….weeks of 9/28 and 10/5/20?

“Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.16

Have you been finding yourself increasingly distracted?  Having trouble staying focused?  Forgetting what you were just going to do?  You could be suffering from pandemic brain fog. Repeated stress is a major trigger for persistent inflammation in the body, which can also affect the brain.  We have one of the best remedies to combat this syndrome and get you back to being focused, present and productive….mindfulness training.  Choose from our two upcoming options:

Beginning mindfulness series:  Join Coach Cami, founder of Guided Resilience for this eight week series.  You will come away from this series feeling grounded in evidence-based self-care practices, supported in growing in self-awareness and a positive mind and feeling gifted with mindfulness skills and resources to support your growth.  Thursdays, October 1 – November 19, 4:00 – 5:15pm EST.  Space is limited so preregistration is required.  To register, contact Rebecca Schubert at Rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org by 5:00 pm EST on Monday, September 28^th.

Check out what two recent graduates of the program had to say:

“I am so thankful that you made Cami’s course available to GMHEC employees. I benefited from it tremendously and I think my students are benefitting from it as well by having a calm, compassionate teacher who can better handle the stresses of teaching in today’s environment.” 

“The mindfulness series just wrapped up and I wanted to thank you for this and express my appreciation for Cami.  I had been seeking a mindfulness class for some time and when I saw the listserv advertising it, I jumped in. Even if by zoom, it was incredibly helpful to me. What struck me was, even though free to the participants, Cami was so attentive to the course and so dedicated in her teaching.  She constantly gave us email reinforcement reminders and never for a second let up from her complete attention to the participants.” 

Mindful Pause book discussion group: This 4-week program invites you to engage in the Guided Resilience approach to well-being as described in Cami Smalley’s Amazon best-selling book, “Mindful Pause: A Self-Care Guide to Resilience and Well-Being.”  Learn to tap your hero capacities! Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, Energy, and Strengths are evidence-based capacities that protect and promote your resilience, well-being.  Each chapter of Mindful Pause walks you through the steps to target holistic change that has the power to improve vitality and ultimately, satisfaction, in the ways you live, work, and relate in the world.  Wednesdays, October 7 – 28, 4:00 – 5:00 pm EST.  Space is limited so preregistration is required.  To register, contact Rebecca Schubert at Rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org by 5 pm EST on Monday, October 5^th.  You can order your copy of Mindful Pause: A Self-Care Guide to Resilience and Well-Being by Coach Cami on Amazon (paperback $12.99) or Kindle ($2.99 reduced price during current pandemic) You do not need a kindle reader…only the app on your device.

We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast

Join New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer as we explore the central global dilemma of our time—climate change—in a surprising, deeply personal, and urgent new way. Foer reveals how the task of saving the planet will involve a great reckoning with ourselves, and that only through collective action will we save our home and way of life.
Drawing from history, science, religion, personal stories, and more, Foer shines light on the human condition and society at large, revealing how to broach difficult conversations with people whose opinions differ from our own; how small, decisions really can make a difference; and how to actually take action, do something, and change the world. A message sorely needed in today’s divisive and often overwhelming times, Foer’s words unite and provide some much-needed direction on what we can all do to make a difference.
Brought to you by the UVM George D. Aiken lecture series. 

Wednesday, October 8^th 5:00-6:00 pm EST.  RSVP here. 

Cultivating Resilience as an Antidote to Burnout: In these times of uncertainty, pain, anxiety and overwork, organizations are facing a coming wave of employee and leader burnout if they don’t take action now. It may already be hitting your organization (and you). It is clear that we need to rethink how we build resilient workplaces and teams.  Join Leah Weiss, globally recognized expert in compassion, mindfulness, and resilience as she helps us gain a broader understanding of resilience as both individuals and teams. We’ll also explore the difference between compassion and empathy and dive into the research around the impact that compassion has on building resilience and preventing burnout. Thursday, October 8^th 1:00 – 2:00pm EST.  Preregistration required.  Click here to register.  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Breast cancer is most common in women over age 50. But some women have a high risk for getting breast cancer, even at a younger age. About 11% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are in women younger than age 45.  If you are over 40 talk with your primary care clinician about when to begin having mammograms and how often to have the screening done.  All of our Cigna the plans will cover the cost at 100% if the mammogram is billed as preventive and if they are done with an in-network provider.  Use the provider directory on myCigna.com for a list of in-network health care providers and facilities and learn more about breast cancer screening here. 

Healthier Living workshops: Are you trying to manage diabetes or chronic pain?  Or quit using tobacco products?  Interested in connecting with others who are also working to cope with these challenges?  Check out the free, virtual Healthier Living Workshops offered by The Vermont Blueprint for Health.  Most workshops meet weekly for six week and are available beginning September 23^rd.  Get more info here.  

Chi Walking Clinic: Did you know that you can have “bad habits” while you’re walking? Even though the human body is designed to walk, many of us walk with an abnormal gait which over time, can lead to inability or lack of desire to walk.  Join Master ChiWalking Instructor Sarah Richardson for this 2 hour ChiWalking clinic designed to help you understand your walking form and technique so that you can feel good while you’re walking.
You’ll learn:
*What your body is currently doing when you walk
*How to properly move your body to decrease injury
*Strategies for energy efficiency while walking
*Tips and Techniques to stay motivated
*Top three adjustments that will positively impact your
walking
Groups are limited to 4 to ensure that you get the personalized attention you need, and accommodate social distancing. The clinic includes a pre and post video analysis so you can check your improvements. Seeing what you’re doing is a game changer!  Clinic will be held at 136 North Main St. Barre, VT.   GMHEC will contribute 25% of the registration fee for this workshop. To register, contact rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org by noon on Wednesday, October 7th.

Flu vaccinations: It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.  While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, there are many important benefits, such as:

1. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
2. Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

You can also get your vaccine at your primary care practice and at many local pharmacies.  For a list of Cigna in-network pharmacies click here.  BCBS VT members…to find an in-network pharmacy where you may be able to get a flu vaccine, click here.  MVP members….click here.  Staying in network for your vaccine will ensure that your vaccine is covered and you don’t incur any unexpected costs. 

In addition, Middlebury College, Champlain College and Norwich University will be offering on-site flu clinics for faculty and staff in late October and early November.  This is the optimal time to get vaccinated as it will ensure you are covered during peak flu season which runs from November to April.  Due to strict Covid protocols, vaccines will be by appointment only.  Dates and locations of the clinics will be made available by your college within the couple of weeks. 

And…as always, don’t forget about our daily yoga, strength training and cardio classes and our afternoon stretch session.  Movement is one of the best ways to recharge and stay focused. 

(Link to offer at bottom)