June2017

SON June 2017
STAFF

New Staff arrivals: June celebrates the
following:
Glad to have you in the School of Nursing!
June 1 - Say Something Nice Day
Departures: June 9-10 - Banana Split Days
June 11 - National Cotton Candy Day
Judy Bezanson – Associate Professor – Telecommuter June 14 - (World) Blood Donor Day
Ruth Ann Bridges – Associate Professor – Telecommuter
(Retiring) June 18th – Father’s Day

www.Brownielocks.com

”If you don’t read me….you won’t Shared Governance
know what’s going on !!!!”
SON Newletter http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/shared-governance/

Staff Council Members:
Chair – Rita Robison

Chair-Elect – Allison Pritchard
Secretary – Cheryl Wright

Parliamentarian – Ava Walker
Stacie Alvarez – Abilene
Cindy Shumard – Odessa
Tonia Borrego - Odessa

Elizabeth Martinez – Student Affairs
Khadija Bakrim – IT

Brenda Stone – Lubbock
Michelle Hunter – Lubbock
Kayla Talbott – Lubbock

Pam Gandy - Lubbock
Donna Balko - Lubbock
Matt Pierce -Lubbock
Tiffany Hager - Lubbock
Mikel Coale - Lubbock

Congratulations to

Phillip Crawford

Abilene IT Department

For being chosen as the Spring 2017

Rising SON

Phillip’s nominator had this to share:

“The nominee is an invaluable asset to our campus. He is always on call for
us, whether it is helping with our classroom IT issues, office computers or copy
machines. No problem is too large or small for him to help with. Whether our
students are testing and need help with their computers or the clinic across
the street has issues with their reporting programs or faculty laptops need
updating or debugging, this superstar never has a gruff word or attitude. He is
extremely self-motivated and needs no supervision.
He treats others as he would like to be treated, which speaks volumes about
his character. He is one of the most courteous, respectful persons I have ever
met, and he is that way to everyone he comes into contact with.
This nominee is extremely dependable. He gets things done before deadlines
and needs no reminders. He is always professional, in his demeanor and
appearance. There is never a doubt that he will get his work done in a most
timely manner and in a most professional way. We truly would be lost without
him and his excellent customer service.” ~~~Ava Walker

Spring 2017 Nominees were:
Khadija Bakrim
Pam Gandy
Sindy Henderson

Heather Johnson
Emilie Johnston

Jarrod Jones
Ashley Leal
Allison Pritchard
Sonya Ritchie
Debbie Rivera
Peter Villa
Lindsay Winti

Thank you for all you do to make the school of nursing a great
place to work! We appreciate your hard work and willingness to

step out and be a positive role model as well as a leader.

Now taking nominations for our Summer 2017

semester STAFF WINNER.
Faculty and Staff are encouraged to nominate.

Next winner announced in August

Follow link (or copy and paste into your browser) below to make your nomination.

http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/ofm/view.php?id=86602

If you would like to see something in the

newsletter, please send to:

https://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/ofm/view.php?id=110
188

We want input!!!

Have a chance to present or want to
attend a conference?

Staff Council is here to help
financially.

Click on the link below and complete
the form. Staff Council will review and

help where we can.

Staff Development Funding

To date we have supported
staff with over $12k for Staff

Development

School of Nursing has a data team.
Contact us for assistance with your data needs!

Our email address is: SONDataTeam@ttuhsc.edu

Online data request form can be found on the SON
Faculty/Staff Page

https://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/ofm/view.php?id=126423

School of Nursing Council Nominations

ATTENTION SON ORGANIZATION FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD!

The nomination links are now open:

https://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/nominations/governance/index.php?
(The link can also be found on the Faculty & Staff Resources page:

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/faculty-staff/default.aspx)

Please nominate yourself or a coworker for the following councils:
Staff Council

Faculty Council
Professional Development Council

Faculty Senate

Questions, please contact:

Lori Franco: lori.franco@ttuhsc.edu OR 806-743-2138

Nominations taken until June 12th

Nomination Process as follows:
1. Nomination made at the link above
2. Once nomination period is closed, an email is

sent to those that were nominated asking if they
want their name included on the ballot.
3. Election period to follow.

Happy Birthday to all our June Birthday babies out
there. We hope your birthday is all you want and

you enjoy YOUR celebration!

Did you know that YOU can attend or call into, any or all Staff Council
meetings? All it takes is an RSVP to let us know you’ll be joining us.
As a guest you will be a non-voting attendee but we would love to have
you join us, give us input and learn what we do.
Next Staff Council meeting – June 15th at 12:00pm, at Combest, 301-40th
Street. Please let us know if you would like to attend.

RSVP to: pam.gandy@ttuhsc.edu

****************************************************

Below is the link to the Staff Council Website.
Here you will find your council members,
agendas, policy links and

what it is that Staff Council is charged with as well
as the link to the Shared Governance page.

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/shared-governance/staff.aspx

• Friday, August 11th, 6:00 p.m. (United Arena)
• Saturday, December 16th, 6:30 p.m. (United Arena)

(note Dec. date change)
Volunteers will be needed!
Yes you will be paid for the overtime or you can work time out

with your supervisor.
Your help and time is appreciated!
Combest, Abilene, Odessa, Lubbock folks we need your help …
we have a good time and this is why we do what we do.

Please contact Kayla Talbott if you are available to help!!
kayla.talbott@ttuhsc.edu

Staff Council Updates

• Save The Date:
Staff Retreat, Oct 5th
International Cultural Center
601 Indiana Ave (EAST across the street

from HSC/UMC)
8am-1pm
•

• Shared Governance Lunch and Learn…
June 15th.

If you would like to attend please notify
Allison Pritchard.

•
• Next Staff Council Meeting

June 15th at Combest,
Let Pam Gandy know if you would

like to attend
Please join us!

•

Get ready for 2017 Summer Enrollment

It’s not too early to start thinking about your health insurance and other benefits.
Summer Enrollment for employees is just around the corner.

Our TTUHSC two-week period will be noted in your Personal Enrollment Benefits
Package from July 2-15, that ERS will mail to you this summer. This 2 week window
is when you can make changes to your benefit elections.

No benefits changes? No worries. You won’t need to do anything and your benefit
elections won’t change. We still encourage your participation in our HSC Summer
Enrollment Fair. Watch the announcements for more information to come.

If you do want to make changes during Summer Enrollment, you can:

1. Sign into your ERS account online;
2. Contact your benefits coordinator or human resources department; or
3. Call ERS at (877) 275-4377 (toll-free), 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989.

Check that your address is correct by May 31st

Please verify the contact and other information you have on file at ERS. To check
your account information, follow these steps:

1. Go to the ERS home page at www.ers.state.tx.us.
2. Click on Access My Account at the top right corner of the page.
3. Click on the View Benefits Summary button.

This will take you to a login page: ERS OnLine Benefits.
4. Enter your Username and Password. Your individual home page should now

appear.
5. Click on the options under My Personal Information, to confirm or update your

postal and email address, phone number and other contact information.

Update your address and contact information with ERS or your local Human
Resources office by
5 p.m. CT on May 31, 2017.

Important information about the HealthSelect transition TO
Blue Cross and Blue Shield

On September 1, 2017, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will replace
UnitedHealthcare as the plan administrator for HealthSelectSM of Texas and Consumer
Directed HealthSelectSM.

Contact information during the transition

Until August 31, 2017, employees should continue to use their current ID cards and call the
current HealthSelect Customer Service line at (866) 336-9371 (TTY: 711) for information about
their coverage.

In August, BCBSTX will mail a welcome packet and new medical ID cards to all HealthSelect
of Texas and Consumer Directed Health Select participants. Participants will also receive a
separate ID card from OptumRx, the plan administrator for pharmacy benefits.

BCBSTX will not have access to individual claims information until September 1, 2017.
Enrollment information will not be available until after Summer Enrollment.

In the months leading up to the transition, BCBSTX will send letters and make telephone calls
to participants who may be affected by certain changes. For example, participants whose PCP
may no longer be in the network after September 1, 2017 will receive a notification letter and
may receive a follow-up phone call. Please let your employees know they should answer or
return phone calls if they are contacted by a BCBSTX representative.

New website and customer care center will provide general information

Beginning May 23, employees will be able to visit the BCBSTX Health Select website at
www.bcbstx.com/hs or call a Personal Health Assistant toll-free at (800) 252-8039, Monday -
Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. CT or Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT.

Participants can:

• Get general information about plan benefits and what to expect.
• Use the Provider Search Tool to find out if their current PCP or other providers will be in

the BCBSTX HealthSelect network after September 1.
• Get help finding an in-network PCP or specialist if their current provider will no longer

be in the network.
• Nominate a provider to be added to the HealthSelect network.

Participants who are currently in the second or third trimester of pregnancy or are
receiving care for a chronic illness or an acute medical condition may be able to continue to
receive health care services for a limited time from their current provider after September 1,
2017, even if the provider will no longer be in the HealthSelect network. The participant
needs to fill out and submit a Transition of Care form to BCBSTX. For more information,
they should visit www.bcbstx.com/hs or call a BCBSTX Personal Health Assistant toll-free
at (800) 252-8039 beginning May 23, 2017.

Continuation of current programs

Real Appeal, an online weight loss program, will continue to be available to eligible
HealthSelect participants after September 1, 2017. Naturally Slim, a different online weight loss
program, will also be offered as an option to eligible participants.

Virtual Visits allows participants to consult with a real-time licensed physician from a
computer, tablet, or smart phone using secure online audio and video technology. It will still be
a HealthSelect benefit after the transition to BCBSTX. Beginning September 1, there will no
longer be a copayment for HealthSelect of Texas participants who use a network Virtual Visits
provider. The current $10 copay per visit for this benefit will continue through August 31.

Information about the transition will be provided regularly in future editions of Update-Express.
Be sure to look for new details!

August 4 – Human Trafficking Symposium
August 25 – Mental Health Symposium

September 26- Kids First! Child Abuse Conference
(by Hendrick Medical Center in Public Health Building)

November 3 – IPE Fall Symposium

Staff Council is partnering with the Strategic Goal plan
Taskforce “Outreach & Engagement”.

This group is doing a book drive to benefit kids seen at
Combest. As an incentive for better healthcare

practices, children will be given age appropriate books
at each of their well child check-ups.

Easy criteria:

NEW BOOKS for Newborn through 18 years of age

“This is a great opportunity for the Larry Combest Community Health
and Wellness Center and SON—I am so excited about the potential for
faculty and staff to do this together”. Emily Merrill

While you are out and about, grab a book(s)

This will be an ongoing project
so no end date is set.

If mailing, send to: Allison Pritchard
Boxes will be decorated and placed in the
Student Affairs atrium and the Deans Suite.

Inaugural Staff Awards Winners

Jan Roberts
Customer Service

Ava Walker
Leadership

Lori Franco
Creative Innovator

Allison Pritchard
Community Engagement

Nicaragua Trip May 2017

Beautiful day. Beautiful People. Mist over the Mountain.
Los Cerrones- 182 Served

SON Staff Graduates include:

Lauren Sullivan

Doctor of Education with a focus in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University
of Southern California, Rossier School of Education.

Fun fact 1, leis are very popular at California graduations because they are a symbol of affection and love, the
spirit of aloha. Given the proximity of California to Hawaii, many Pacific Islanders attend universities in CA and
they graciously share their tradition of leis with all graduates. Leis are given during arrivals and departures so
it's only fitting to adorn graduate who is leaving the university for his/her new chapter in life. Most
importantly, they are highly functional because you don't have to carry a bouquet.
Fun fact 2, our commencement speaker was Will Ferrell and he also received an honorary doctorate that day.
So, he's now Dr. Will Ferrell. His speech was amazing and you can find it online. http://www.latimes.com/sns-
bc-us--will-ferrell-usc-commencement-20170512-story.html
Here's a great quote from his speech:
"For many of you, maybe you don't have it all figured out, that's ok. That's the same chair that I sat in. Enjoy
the process of your search without succumbing to the pressure of the result. Trust your gut, keep throwing
darts at the dartboard."
My dissertation research focuses on employee engagement and I plan to have my dissertation defended by
the end of September. And then I'll officially be "Dr. Sullivan" :)

Heather Johnson

Grad School — Higher Education Administration
Texas Tech University College of Education

My capstone project focused on the MSN and Post-Master's New Student Orientation. After
conducting surveys and focus groups with current students, recommendations for change
were presented to the graduate faculty and will be adopted starting with the Fall 2017
orientation programming.

My future plans include continuing to work here in the School of Nursing and starting the
Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration program at Texas Tech University in
Fall 2018.

June is Effective Communications Month:

Top ten Communication Skills for Workplace Success

1. Listening
2. Nonverbal Communication
3. Clarity and Concision
4. Friendliness
5. Confidence
6. Empathy
7. Open-Mindedness
8. Respect
9. Feedback
10. Picking the Right Medium

1 cup chopped pecans
½ (16oz) package bow-tie pasta (cooked)
1 pound fresh broccoli florets
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sugar
1/3 cup diced red onion
1//3 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
2 cups seedless red grapes halved
8 cooked bacon slices, crumbled

Separate broccoli florets into small pieces using knife. Whisk together
mayonnaise, sugar, onion, vinegar salt in large bowl. Add broccoli, hot
pasta, and grapes. Stir to coat. Cover and chill for at least an hour. Stir in
pecans and bacon right before serving.

What’s New in Lubbock!!!

Chick-Fil- A… Location: West End (in front of Costco, next to Costco gas station pumps)

Opening: NOW OPEN!

Mechies *Frozen Yogurt* Location: West End

Opening: NOW OPEN!

SUPLBK *Stand up paddle board rentals.*Location: Lubbock (Mobile)

Opening: NOW OPEN! | Grand opening Memorial Day weekend

E&J Steakhouse and Grill Location: 701 Regis (old County Line location)

Opening: June 5

The Garden *Entertaiment (Live Music, etc.)*

Location: 1801 Buddy Holly (old Cactus Courtyard location)
Opening: Mid-June

Frios Gourmet Pops *Gourmet Popsicles*

Location: Shops at the Reserve
Opening: Mid-June/early July

Muscle Maker Grill *Muscle Maker Grill is a healthy alternative to fast food*

Location: 6012 82nd St, Ste. E (next to Palm Beach Tan)
Opening: Soft opening early June

The Rack House *Rustically elegant dining*

Location: The Hub (next to Always Tan)
Opening: Late May/Early June

Woody’s Brick Oven Pizza and Grill Location: 3135 34th (next to Crafthouse Gastropub)

Opening: June 15th

Build-A-Bear Location: South Plains Mall Opening: Early Summer

Hemline *Ladies Clothing Boutique*Location: Quaker Ave. Center – 82nd/Quaker (next to

Abuelo’s) Opening: June 2nd

Fly Wild Outfitters *Men’s Retail Store*Location: 213 US 62 (next to Evie Mae’s)



Have you ever thought of doing your own fireworks
show… (legally)?

Cindy Shumard, at the Abilene campus is a
Certified Pyrotechnic

If you have an event and you want it done correctly
give her a shout.

Cindy.shumard@ttuhsc.edu

Kick-Start a New Healthy Habit Today

• The Refresher: Swap out soda for water for four days.
• Healthy Start: Eat a healthy breakfast.

• Family Table: Prepare and eat a home cooked meal each day.

• 4 O’Clock Decision: Choose a healthy afternoon snack.
• Smart Moves: Add physical activity to your daily routine.

• Walk the Talk: Walk 15 minutes, four days in a row.

• Color Your Plate: Add a fruit or veggie to each meal.