Working@Duke October/November, 2012 Issue

Page 1

WORKING@DUKE n NEWS YOU CAN USE n Volume 7, Issue 5 n October/November 2012

Bonnie’s Battle with Cancer INSIDE

Get A Free Will Take A Duke Course Honoring Veterans

Special Health Care Report: An Employee’s Cancer Fight, Open Enrollment for Health Benefits, New Tobacco Use Surcharge


Editor’s Note LEANORA MINAI

Contents

Bonnie’s Battle with Cancer

Cover: Bonnie’s Battle with Cancer

W

hen Bonnie McManus scheduled her first mammogram in 2009, news headlines featured frightening updates about the economy and

job losses. “I worried about what life would be like if I lost health insurance,” she told Working@Duke. At the time, cancer wasn’t top of mind. Until she got the news a few weeks later. “I kept thinking, ‘I’m healthy. I eat organic food. How can I have cancer?’ ” Bonnie said. In this month’s issue of Working@Duke, Senior Writer Marsha Green takes readers through Bonnie McManus’ journey with invasive breast cancer. She underwent five surgeries, lost her hair and managed treatment costs with the financial help of Duke’s medical insurance plan. One medication – an injection alone – cost $4,000, but Bonnie paid less than $100. “Your perspective on health care costs changes when you see the true cost,” she told Working@Duke. “… I don't know what I would do without health insurance.” Bonnie’s remarkable story [page 6] is especially poignant as Duke staff and faculty prepare to participate in Open Enrollment for health benefits Oct. 22 through Nov. 2. As part of this issue’s special health care report, we explain changes in store for health benefits in 2013 [page 9] and provide smoking cessation resources for employees facing the new $10 tobacco use surcharge [page 10.] This is your annual opportunity to evaluate your needs and personal situation and sign up for Duke health benefits or make changes to coverage. You can also sign up or re-enroll in health and dependent care reimbursement accounts. Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration, said that in addition to health benefits, Duke is continuing to offer health and wellness promotion services to help staff and faculty connect with exercise, nutrition and preventive medical resources. “We are increasingly trying to facilitate a culture of health,” he said. Please visit hr.duke.edu/enrollment2013 for more information about Open Enrollment.

2

Working@Duke

Bonnie McManus was treated for breast cancer and is among 61,267 individuals covered by Duke’s health insurance plans. “I can’t tell you how many times over the past three years I’ve said ‘thank God I have insurance,’ ” said McManus, 42. “I would be bankrupt without it.”

Open Enrollment for Health Benefits Duke is expanding its dental insurance program and maintaining its comprehensive health insurance package with no changes in copayments and deductibles and only modest premium increases.

Help Quitting Tobacco Duke offers free tobacco cessation services at no charge with Duke’s employee wellness program.

11 12 14 15

Our vacation getaways in photos Take a Duke course at 80 percent off Discount on new car tires National ‘Food Day’ is Oct. 24

2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007 Gold Medal, Internal Periodical Staff Writing 2009, 2007 Bronze Medal, Print Internal Audience Tabloids/Newsletters

This paper consists of 30% recycled postconsumer fiber. Please recycle after reading.


Briefly

Employee annual giving campaign runs through Nov. 16

Duke Forward: Partnering for the Future On Sept. 29, Duke University announced the public launch of Duke Forward, a new comprehensive fundraising campaign that will extend through June 30, 2017. “Our campaign aims to capitalize on the special history and culture Duke has developed to train the leaders our future requires: bold thinkers and problem-solvers who are adaptable to rapid change and engaged with the complex issues facing society,” said President Richard H. Brodhead. “By focusing our investment and expansion in three areas – enriching the Duke experience, activating Duke’s power for the world, and sustaining Duke’s momentum – we can give our talented students, faculty, and medical practitioners opportunities to advance ideas, make new connections, and move the world forward.” Provost Peter Lange spearheaded an academic planning effort including deans, faculty leaders and other administrators that identified campaign priorities. Some are familiar: financial aid, faculty support, the medical center, athletics and annual giving. But he called the campaign – targeting as it does such interdisciplinary initiatives as innovation and entrepreneurship, the arts, energy, global health, and the environment – “strategically based and thematically based.” He said the themes reflect “the highest needs and priorities we have, and also the most exciting and promising work we can do.” Duke staff and faculty are invited to share their stories and photos about Duke’s trajectory. What innovations have you been a part of? How has Duke changed, and how have its core values stayed the same? Find Duke Forward on Facebook, or use the hashtag #DukeForward on Twitter or Instagram. To learn more about the campaign, visit dukeforward.duke.edu.

Doing Good in the Neighborhood, the annual employee giving campaign, begins Oct. 8 and will run through Nov. 16. Donations can be directed during this campaign and year-round to any of six areas: Partnering With Our Schools, Supporting Our Young People, Supporting our Neighborhoods, Partnering for a Healthier Durham, Community Care Fund or United Way of the Greater Triangle. Duke law professor Jane Wettach said she sees donating to “Doing Good” as a natural extension of her local volunteer efforts. “I love Durham, and I like the partnership between Duke and Durham,” Wettach said. “I think it’s a good thing for both, and I want to support it.” For more information about the campaign, visit doinggood.duke.edu.

Stay fit this fall and winter with wellness programs

Is your computer healthy?

Duke faculty and staff have two easy ways to infuse fun and accountability into their health and wellness efforts this fall. LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program, will host its annual 5K Pumpkin Fun Run on Oct. 13 at the Al Buehler Cross Country Trail by the Washington Duke Inn. This year’s familyfriendly event is at 10 a.m. Participation is free, but a voluntary donation of $2 per participant helps raise funds for the Duke Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation program. The program provides care and support to children suffering from cancer, genetic defects or blood disorders. Sign up for the race and find more information at hr.duke.edu/pumpkinrun. Employees can also fight holiday season weight gain through “Maintain Don’t Gain,” an eight week, self-directed program that sends weekly emails with tips and strategies for adopting or maintaining healthy behaviors. The program runs Nov. 12 to Jan. 4. Sign up at hr.duke.edu/maintain. “With the weather getting colder and the holiday season around the corner, it’s important for us to offer ways to help Duke employees stay healthy,” said Julie Joyner, manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. “Our fall race and Maintain Don’t Gain offer fun ways to remain accountable for your wellness and set goals to better your health.”

As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, Duke’s IT Security Office is kicking off a campaign to remind Duke faculty, staff and students to make sure their computers stay healthy. October is also the beginning of flu season, and there are important parallels between protecting your own health and protecting your computer. This year’s campaign includes “health checks” for Duke computers at various campus locations, a panel on data security for international travelers and Learn IT@ Lunch sessions on password management and mobile device security. Staff and faculty also can enter a contest to win an iPad. “Remembering to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and your computer or smartphone patched is a lot like remembering to wash your hands,” said Richard Biever, the university’s chief information security officer. “Once you get into the habit, it becomes routine and your data stays safe.” To learn more, visit the IT security office website, security.duke.edu.

today.duke.edu/working

3


Get a free will with Duke’s Supplemental Life Insurance Getting Started

Benning Wang, center, with husband Ting-Jia Fan, and son, Andre, 4, and daughter, Amber, 1.

Call Hyatt Legal Plans at (800) 821-6400 and identify yourself as a MetLife Supplemental Life Insurance customer. You’ll receive a list of local attorneys and reference numbers to use for reimbursement. If you are using a participating attorney, there is no charge for the attorney’s time. If you are using an attorney outside of the network, you must call to obtain authorization and fee reimbursement claim forms. You must pay the attorney and then submit the receipt to MetLife along with the reference numbers and fee reimbursement claim forms.

B

enning Wang said goodnight to her two young children in Mandarin, the language of her native Taiwan. As she quietly closed the bedroom door, she wondered who would keep the children’s Taiwanese heritage in mind if she and her Learn more at hr.duke.edu/supplemental. husband died. Wang hoped the children would be raised by their grandparents in Taiwan, but there was nothing in writing. “We knew we should see a lawyer and write a will,” said Wang, a licensing analyst in Duke’s Office of Licensing and Ventures. “But we had no experience with lawyers in the U.S. and no idea of how much it might cost. There were just so many hurdles.” Wang is eligible for free will preparation because she is enrolled in Duke’s supplemental life insurance program. Duke’s program through MetLife uses the Hyatt Legal Plans network Retirement accounts, of participating attorneys who prepare at no charge simple wills, living wills and powers of life insurance and other attorney for a single employee or an employee and his or her spouse, domestic partner or same sex partner. assets for which you Employees who use an attorney outside the network can request reimbursement name a beneficiary are up to $275 for an individual or up to $320 for the employee and spouse or partner. not covered by a will. Wang purchased Duke’s supplemental life insurance for herself and husband, Ting-Jia Fan, when she started work at Duke a year ago. “Life insurance was one way to protect our Be sure to periodically children,” Wang said. “But we knew it wasn’t enough.” review beneficiaries and When Wang learned about the free will service, she called Hyatt Legal Plans and update as necessary. received a list of 14 attorneys near her Chapel Hill home. Wang and her husband picked an attorney and will meet with the attorney after her husband returns from a trip to Taiwan. “My goal is to take a completed will to my parents when I visit Taiwan later this year,” she said.

Did You Know?

BY MARSHA A. GREEN

4

Working@Duke

go online

For more information, visit the Duke Human Resources website hr.duke.edu/supplemental


Carnessa Ottelin, program manager in the Health System’s Compliance Office, gets ready to step on a Triangle Transit bus. Ottelin uses her free GoPass to travel from Raleigh to Duke.

Renew your GoPass to ride regional buses Popular transit program now in its second year

C

arnessa Ottelin is one of about 7,000 Duke community members who use GoPass, a public bus pass, to ride regional and local bus lines at no charge. She’s used her pass since last fall, riding Triangle Transit buses from home in Raleigh to bus stops by Duke Clinic or Duke Hospital. Leaving the driving to someone else lets her relax and catch up on reading. She averages a book a week reading on the bus, moving through the Hunger Games trilogy and the latest Lee Child book. “I present about compliance at New Employee Orientation every other week, and I want new employees to know what a tremendous and generous Duke benefit the GoPass is to be offered for free,” said Ottelin, program manager in the Health System’s Compliance Office. “It’s a wonderful way to save money, and it’s a great stress reliever. There’s a strong community of amazing people who ride the bus.” Employees who are eligible for a GoPass and users who have not yet renewed their pass should stop by a Duke Parking and Transportation Services office to receive a new pass. The GoPass, which launched in July 2011, includes an expiration date on the back of the pass. It’s valid for one year. GoPass allows for unlimited rides at no charge on DATA, Triangle Transit and Capital Area Transit. The pass is available to Duke staff and faculty whose offices are on East, West, Central and Medical Center campuses; the American Tobacco Campus; or within one-half mile of the East, West, Central or Medical campuses. All undergraduate, graduate and professional school students are eligible.

go online

Learn more about the GoPass at parking.duke.edu/gopass

Brian Williams, Duke’s transportation demand management coordinator, said finding buses to ride is easy. Routes served by GoPass can be tracked online in real-time at live.gotriangle.org or download a free app for iPhone, Android or BlackBerry mobile devices. “While we had a great first year of interest in GoPass, I hope even more students and employees will join the program to help save money and put time back in their day,” Williams said. “Instead of getting stuck behind the wheel, using a GoPass gives students, faculty and staff freedom to enjoy their daily commute.” BY BRYAN ROTH

Get A GoPass If you used your GoPass at least once before July 15, 2012, a new pass should have been mailed to your campus mailbox. If you want a GoPass or have one but never used it, visit a Parking and Transportation Services office: 2010 Campus Drive (near the corner of Campus Drive and Anderson Street). Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4290 Duke Clinic (near the Medical Center Bookstore, on the same level as the Duke Clinics Food Court). Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

today.duke.edu/working

5


Bonnie’s Battle with Cancer Bonnie McManus, above, was treated for breast cancer. She kept this journal to document medical details and emotions after her diagnosis in 2009.

Special Report: An Employee’s Cancer Fight, Open Enrollment for Health Benefits, New Tobacco Use Surcharge

B

diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and has worked at Duke for 12 years. onnie McManus waited as the pharmacist checked the “I would be bankrupt without it.” price of her medication on a computer. Each year, Open Enrollment for Duke $4,000. health benefits provides staff and faculty an “Ma’am,” the opportunity to assess personal situations, pharmacist told McManus. “I’ve It is truly scary to realize evaluate needs and enroll in or make never seen a medication that costs how vulnerable you would be changes to benefits. This year, Open $4,000 before.” For McManus, a senior without health insurance – good health Enrollment is Oct. 22 through Nov. 2. McManus is among 61,267 staff, coordinator for the Spanish Serviceinsurance.” faculty, dependents and retirees covered Learning program at Duke, the by Duke’s health insurance plans, a drug, Neulasta, was part of a — Bonnie McManus , Duke employee rigorous treatment regimen to fight benefit that Duke spent $219 million to provide in 2011. That same year, the her breast cancer, a disease that can average Duke employee paid just $832 in out-of-pocket pharmacy cost more than $100,000 to treat. and medical expenses, in addition to his or her premium. Instead of $4,000, McManus paid a modest co-pay of less than Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration, said the $100 per injection. Over her course of treatment, McManus financial security offered through health insurance is the hallmark injected Neulasta six times. of Duke’s overall benefits package. “I can’t tell you how many times over the past three years I’ve said ‘thank God I have insurance,’ ” said McManus, 42, who was 6

Working@Duke


In any given year, most plan participants stay healthy, he said. But each year, some face medical treatments that can create devastating financial hardships without insurance. Last year, for example, 9 percent of plan participants accounted for just over $100 million in health costs, slightly less than half of Duke’s total health costs. “If an employee or a covered loved one has a catastrophic health problem, they are not going to lose their home or be financially devastated if they are on Duke’s insurance,” Cavanaugh said. “That’s something we’re very proud of.”

‘Like a ton of bricks’ Bonnie McManus was answering emails in her office at Smith Warehouse when the phone rang. She recognized the number of Dr. Sora Yoon, who biopsied McManus’ breast after her first-ever mammogram revealed a suspicious shadow. “I know you are at work,” Yoon said. “Do you want me to call you back at home?” McManus begged her not to wait. “I need to know now,” McManus said. The news wasn’t good. McManus had invasive breast cancer. She needed surgery and chemotherapy. She hung up and sobbed. “It hit me like a ton of bricks,” McManus said. “It was surreal to me that the rest of the world could keep going on normally while my life had just been turned upside down.” That night, after sharing the news with her husband, 12-yearold son and two teenage stepdaughters, McManus made the first of many entries in a small, hardback journal she kept tucked in her purse throughout the ordeal. “This is what I know,” she wrote in tight, controlled script on Aug. 9, 2009. “I have Invasive Ductal Adenocarcinoma.”

chemotherapy’s side effects by cutting her long, brown hair. Tears streamed down her face as her husband shaved her head to prevent her hair from falling out in clumps. “You lose your hair, and it feels weird,” she said. “You lose your eyebrows, and you feel like an alien.”

Predisposed to Cancer During chemotherapy treatments, McManus received genetic testing to analyze her DNA for genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The test on McManus was positive for the “BRCA2” mutation. “I’m predisposed to cancer,” she said. “It was not what I wanted to hear.”

First Class Treatment Because McManus was under 40 when she was diagnosed, she was referred directly to Dr. Kim Blackwell, a Duke oncologist who specializes in treating breast cancer in young women. “My first consultation to plan out my chemotherapy and surgery treatment options cost $800, but I didn’t know that until later,” McManus said. “I just paid the Duke Select $35 specialist outpatient co-pay. I wanted to get rid of the cancer.” McManus had outpatient lumpectomy surgery to remove the tumor and immediately began 18 weeks of chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. On the advice of Dr. Blackwell, McManus prepared for Bonnie McManus cried when her hair was shaved to prevent it from falling out in clumps during chemotherapy.

Bonnie McManus tried to capture costs of cancer care in her journal entry, above, but eventually gave up. At left, another journal entry by McManus.

Duke’s health care team helped McManus sort through treatment options, from letting the cancer run its course to removing her breasts and ovaries to reduce the chance of cancer returning. Because of the genetic mutation, McManus chose surgery to remove her ovaries, as well as a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Insurance sheltered McManus from the true cost of her multiple surgeries and treatments, but she still paid attention to bills. Her surgeries cost nearly $50,000, but she said, “all I had to pay for each surgery was a co-pay of a few hundred dollars.” In her journal, she tried to capture the total cost of the cancer treatment, but she wrote, “Lost count of how expensive this disease has been…Ugh.” >> continued on page 8

today.duke.edu/working

7


Making Daily Progress McManus returned to work in 2010, nearly a year after the diagnosis. Within a few months, she had picked up her X-ACTO knife and reclaimed her hobby of making cards, wall art and other paperbased art. “I knew I was feeling better when I wanted to do art again,” she said. Today, McManus has no evidence of tumors in her body but continues to take medicine to keep cancer at bay and treat long-term effects of cancer treatment. The medications, therapy and other related medical issues add up to several hundred dollars a month in out-of-pocket expenses.

“I’m still actively living with the diagnosis every day,” McManus said. “The good news is that I’m making progress. Some days, I even forget for a few hours that I’ve had cancer.” What she doesn’t forget is how friends and Duke co-workers rose to the occasion, providing weekly meals for six months and donating their vacation time to her to keep her paycheck coming and benefits intact. “It is truly scary to realize how vulnerable you would be without health insurance – good health insurance,” she said. “I cannot fathom what happens to people who do not have it.” BY MARSHA A. GREEN

“Springtime,” a paper-based artwork, at right, was created by Bonnie McManus after she regained her health.

Off To A Good start The most common reason for a woman covered by Duke health insurance to be hospitalized is a happy one: the birth of a baby. In 2011, Duke covered nearly 800 deliveries at an average cost of $6,866 per delivery. For Jennifer Salamh, the cost of childbirth was not a worry as she cradled her newborn daughter in her arms. She knew the two-night hospital stay would only cost $450, the standard copayment for in-network hospitalization with Duke Select insurance. “But what really floored me was when I added up all the costs of my outpatient prenatal care,” said Salamh, a prospect management coordinator for University Development. “It came to over $12,000, and all I ever paid was a $45 co-pay.” Salamh said she is grateful for the high quality care she received at Duke throughout her pregnancy. “I’ve chosen to give birth at Duke three times because they provide such incredible care,” she said. “I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else.”

Jennifer Salamh and her daughter, Paisley, three weeks after Paisley’s birth. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Salamh.

Learn more about the future of health care during “Working@Duke LIVE,” a new interview talk show. Tune in online at today.duke.edu/working at noon on Nov. 8 with Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president of administration.

8

Working@Duke


Health Benefits Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 22 Changes include new dental option, modest premium increases and tobacco use fee

F

or 2013, Duke is expanding its dental insurance program and maintaining its comprehensive health insurance package with no changes in co-payments and deductibles and only modest premium increases. From Oct. 22 through Nov. 2, staff and faculty can sign up for or make changes to Duke health benefits during Open Enrollment. Employees can also sign up or re-enroll in Duke’s reimbursement accounts for health or dependent care expenses. Contributions to these accounts are deducted pre-tax from pay. Depending on an employee’s medical plan, premiums in 2013 will increase between $1 to $10 per month for individual coverage and $11 to $43 per month for family coverage. There will be no increases in co-pays or deductibles for inpatient or outpatient visits or prescriptions. Vision premiums “By moving to a plan with a remain the same. For the dental defined network of dentists, we can program, Duke is offering a new offer the same excellent coverage at We are Preferred Provider Option (PPO) a lower cost,” said Lois Ann Green, with lower premiums than the committed to assistant vice president of Human current Plan A. Premiums will Resources - Benefits. increase for Plan A; there’s no providing as competitive A list of providers is available change to Plan B premiums. at ameritas-dental.prismisp.com. a benefit as we can, while Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration, said constantly monitoring Tobacco Use Surcharge the cost to provide health benefits costs and planning for the Starting in January 2013, Duke to 61,267 employees, retirees and will charge employees who smoke or family members has increased changing landscape of use tobacco $10 per month. This about $20 million per year since health care reform.” does not apply to dependents. 2010. Duke expects to pay about Duke will remove the surcharge $240 million for 2012 health — Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration if an employe successfully completes benefits. a tobacco cessation program. LIVE “We are committed to FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program, offers free smoking providing as competitive a benefit as we can, while constantly cessation options. [Story on page 10]. monitoring costs and planning for the changing landscape of health Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in North care reform,” Cavanaugh said. “We are self-insured, which means we Carolina and is linked to many cancers and health conditions. cover the cost of our own insurance, and our excellent relationships “Tobacco use pushes up our health costs, and the surcharge is one way with our Duke providers allow us to monitor costs closely. Things look stable for 2013, but we expect more changes in the coming years to recognize this and create an added incentive for employees to seek support now to quit,” Green said. as health care reform continues to unfold.” Changes for 2013 include:

Federally Mandated Changes New Dental Program Starting Jan. 1, 2013, Duke will expand its dental insurance by adding a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) to the traditional Plan A and Plan B options. The PPO plan offers similar coverage to Plan A at a lower monthly premium for employees who use dentists within a nationwide network. The PPO plan includes no deductible, a higher maximum annual benefit than Plan A and Plan B, lower negotiated procedure rates and lower monthly premiums.

go online

For 2013, the maximum contribution for a health care reimbursement account will be lowered to $2,500, based on national health care reform legislation. Another federally mandated change for 2013 is the inclusion with Open Enrollment materials of a “Summary of Benefits and Coverage.” This document uses a federally required template to explain health plan benefits to consumers.

For Open Enrollment information, visit hr.duke.edu/enrollment2013

BY MARSHA A. GREEN

today.duke.edu/working

9


Quit Tobacco With Personalized Plans

S

ince he was a child, Don Watt dreamed of owning a Yamaha V Star motorcycle. But instead Long-Term Be Benefits enefits Short-Term Be Benefits enefits of buying one as an adult, he was spending his money on cigarettes. 1 YEA YEAR R 48 HOURS Watt’s tobacco addiction cost • Excess Excess risk ooff • Ability Ability to to smell and an a d coronary coronary heart eart him about $150 a month until taste is enhancedd disease is half h that this January, when he quit for of smoker of a smok err the sake of his health. He used 2 WEEK WEEKS S that money to lease his dream 5 YEARS TO 3 MONTHS ride for $4,200, which he paid • Lung cancer cancer death • Walking Walking becomes becomes off in one year. rate decreases decreases a rate easier easier “I couldn’t have done it if I by b y almost h half was still smoking and spending all 1T TO O 9 MONTHS S that money on cigarettes,” said 10 YEARS Watt, a general maintenance • Body’s overall overall • Risk of cancer canccer of energy energy increases increasess mechanic with Duke’s Facilities the mouth, th throat, roat, Management Department. “It’s a esophagus, habit that hurts your health and bladder, kid dney, bladder, kidney, your wallet.” cervix cervix and That’s something that could pancreas pancreas decreases deecreases be more evident next year. Because tobacco use drives up 15 YEARS health care costs and leads to chronic health problems, Duke • Risk of coronary coronary o disease is that heart disease faculty and staff who use tobacco of non-smoker of a non-sm moker or smoke will be asked to pay a $10 monthly surcharge. [See story on page 9.] Duke will remove the charge if an employee Sources: S ources: Americ American an Cancer Cancer Society Socie o ty and the successfully completes a tobacco Centers Prevention C enters for for Disease Disease Control Control and nd Pr evention cessation program. As soon as smokers put a cigarette down, their body starts to repair. While it only takes 48 hours for senses to enhance, Duke offers a range of free it takes as long as 15 years to regain healthy aspects of non-smokers. tobacco cessation services through LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program. They include prescription tobacco-cessation drugs with no co-pay and one-on-one consultations to design individualized quit plans at no charge. Diane Dunder, LIVE FOR LIFE’s smoking cessation specialist, said one-on-one sessions are ideal because they create personalized timelines for quitting and offer an in-depth look at methods to quit. Because most smokers try to quit more than once, Free consultations are available each week personal consultations involve reviewing quitting attempts to determine what at Duke Clinic, Duke Cancer Center and Duke worked and what didn’t for each person, she said. Raleigh and Durham Regional hospitals. “Having a quit plan creates the most informed attempt to quit for people,” Times vary and can be scheduled by calling Dunder said. “Often, this is the biggest health change for most people and it’s hard.”

How Ho w Qu Quitting uitting T Tob Tobacco ob bacco Help Helps ps Y Your our B Body o ody

Get Help Quitting

(919) 684-3136, option 1.

BY BRYAN ROTH

10

Working@Duke

go online

Visit hr.duke.edu/tobaccofree for information on programs


Our Near and Far Vacation Getaways Duke employees share photos from energizing vacations

D

og sledding in Alaska. Kayaking in Puerto Rico. Catching rays on a North Carolina beach. These moments were captured in photographs submitted this summer by 170 employees as part of a campaign inviting Duke staff and faculty to submit their best vacation photo and share how Duke’s paid time off benefit helped them recharge. The winning entry from a random drawing: an iPhone snapshot of feet in the sand in Cancun, Mexico, submitted by Adem Gusa, assistant director of planning for the Facilities Management Department. “It was a truly relaxing fiveday excursion,” wrote Gusa as part of his entry. “We enjoyed every minute of the sights, sounds, food and weather.” Gusa won a free minivacation – a night at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham with dinner and breakfast for two, which Gusa plans to enjoy with his wife. “Our 13th wedding anniversary is in October, and with two young children, we welcome any opportunity to unwind, relax and reconnect,” he said.

Adem Gusa of Duke’s Facilities Management Department submitted this winning photo of his and his wife’s feet while they relaxed on the beach in Cancun, Mexico.

BY MARSHA A. GREEN

See the Photos The 170 photos are on Flickr. You can see them all at j.mp/Dukevacationpics. Read captions for each photo by clicking the “show info” button at the top right of the screen.

Catherine Bodine, clinical research specialist for the Duke Clinical Research Institute, dog sleds in Alaska with husband, Mark Kinsella.

Abi Riak, programs and operations manager for the Divinity School’s Center for Reconciliation, kayaks in Puerto Rico. “Being out on the ocean is one of the best ways for me to forget about everything that is not urgent or important,” she said.

Courtney Packard Orning, a public relations specialist at the Social Science Research Institute, keeps this photo of her children at North Topsail Beach, N.C., as a reminder of how rejuvenated she feels when returning from vacation.

today.duke.edu/working

11


Take a Duke course at 80 percent off regular tuition

Erin Arnold, center, in a Duke undergraduate class. She’ll take one or two classes each semester with the Employee Special Tuition Rate program.

B

The deadline for applications for the spring semester is efore she finished her undergraduate degree, Erin Arnold left Dec. 1, 2012. the University of Pittsburgh to attend nursing school. She The special tuition rate is independent from the Employee doesn’t regret it, but for 10 years, she’s wanted to tie up a Tuition Assistance Program through Duke Human Resources. loose end and earn a bachelor’s degree. However, employees with at least two years of continuous service can “I want to finish what I started,” said Arnold, a clinical research apply for tuition reimbursement of up to $5,200 a year through coordinator at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. the tuition assistance program if they meet all other Arnold is continuing her education through a eligibility requirements. new program that provides a more than 80 Employees who complete a for-credit course percent discount on select Duke To take a course for through the continuing studies program undergraduate courses. Offered through academic credit at Duke, you must receive a Duke transcript to apply for a Duke Continuing Studies, the Special apply for admission into the Duke transfer of credit if they apply later for a Duke Employee Tuition Rate Program Continuing Studies program with a letter of bachelor’s degree program at Duke or enables employees working at least recommendation, official college and university another higher education institution. 20 hours per week to take an transcripts and receive an offer of admission. Auditors receive a Duke transcript with undergraduate course for academic The application fee is $35. details of audited coursework. credit for $975; the normal rate is Once accepted, complete the Employee Special Arnold, the clinical research $5,287. Employees can audit a class Tuition Rate form for the employee discount. coordinator, will chip away at the for $100 instead of $514. The Continuing Studies application deadline remaining year’s worth of classes needed The discount applies only to for Spring semester is Dec. 1, 2012. The to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in undergraduate classes from Trinity College Employee Special Tuition Rate psychology. She is now taking “Philosophy of of Arts and Sciences, Duke Marine Lab and form must be received by Sanford School of Public Policy. Courses at the the Mind” and plans to take one or two classes Jan. 1, 2013. Pratt School of Engineering and graduate-level each semester. Eventually, she’ll apply to transfer the classes are not part of the program. credit hours for the bachelor’s degree. “When I saw the discount offer, I figured I’d be crazy to pass it “Duke is known far and wide for the quality of its education, up,” Arnold said. “I wanted to seize the opportunity that was being and these reduced rates make that education far more accessible for offered to me.” employees,” said Paula Gilbert, associate dean and director of Duke Continuing Studies and Summer Session. BY MARSHA A. GREEN

How To Apply

12

Working@Duke

go online

For more information, visit learnmore.duke.edu and select Academic Studies, then Duke Employee Tuition Rates.


Honoring veterans for their service REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY PLANNED TO CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY

T

his photo During was taken wartime, Duke’s on D-Day Women’s College – June 6, increased 1944 – on the Duke admissions, allowing Chapel steps as students like Marie members of Duke’s Foote and Muriel Navy College Training Theodorsen to Program read a headline become the first about the Invasion of two women to earn Normandy from the engineering degrees Durham Morning from Duke. Other Herald newspaper. programs – including Economics, Medicine, and D-Day News, 1944. Photo courtesy of Duke University Archives. Like other college Divinity – experienced a jump in female enrollment as well. campuses across the country, Duke felt the impact of World War II. The College Organization for General Service, created by “Over 16 million soldiers served in the U.S. Army, while women students at Duke, contributed to the war effort through millions more men and women did their part by laboring at home,” activities like preparing bandages, organizing fundraisers for charity said Adriane Lentz-Smith, associate professor in the Department of and attending social events for soldiers. Duke also hosted a division History. “Duke students, like all Americans in the World War II of the American Women’s Volunteer Services, which held events and years, sat poised on the brink of dramatic change.” fundraising activities for the Red Cross and war bond campaigns. As the draft began in 1940, thousands of Duke students, In 1941, Duke activated a Naval Reserves Officers Training employees and alumni produced scholarly output and grew a culture Corps that produced student soldiers, including many who were part of social volunteerism on and around campus. Student ranks grew of Duke’s Navy V-12 unit. Nearly 4,000 student soldiers made their with an influx of women and soldiers who planned to aid the way through these programs during World War II. country’s efforts by furthering their education. Duke administrator Paul Gross also spearheaded an effort by the Many students gained military training by joining faculty and Department of Chemistry to create a “frangible bullet” that would staff in divisions like the Duke Naval Reserves Officer Training break up upon impact, enabling American soldiers to perform Corps and the 65th General Hospital Unit. University relationships shooting drills on actual aircraft. Other research projects at Duke with the U.S. government pushed for engineering studies and during wartime included ways to control venereal disease and advanced experimental research in chemistry, medicine and other studying effects of vitamin B deprivation. disciplines. — COMPILED BY BRYAN ROTH WITH UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Celebrate Veterans Day at Duke Duke Human Resources will sponsor a remembrance ceremony by the Duke Chapel. This year’s event will take place Monday, Nov. 12. For details, please check today.duke.edu/working as Veterans Day approaches.

today.duke.edu/working

13


PERQS employee discounts

Just Tires 5280 N. Roxboro Road Durham (919) 479-0700 justtires.com The Duke employee discount program also offers other auto-related savings at car dealerships and car washes and for service and repair and AAA memberships. Visit hr.duke.edu/discounts to learn more.

Timely tire discount

M

emorial Day was fast approaching, and Laura Isaiah dreaded driving her Suzuki Forenza from Raleigh to South Carolina with old tires. She had checked four tire shop websites to compare prices but was struggling to make up her mind when she received an email from PERQS, Duke’s employee discount program. The notice advertised a 15 percent discount at Durham tire retailer, Just Tires. “I opened up the email and saw that Just Tires was offering a discount and said, ‘wow, what a blessing,’ ” said Isaiah, an administrative assistant at the Duke Eye Center. Isaiah said the decision to go with Just Tires was easy because she bought her last set of tires from the company before she worked at Duke. “I didn’t have the discount then,” she said. “So I jumped at it this time.” The discount saved Isaiah The vacation and nearly $30 on two new tires. healthcare benefits I get Just Tires also offers customers free rotation and balancing service because I work at Duke are awesome. every 3,000 to 5,000 miles with But the PERQS discount is like icing the purchase of two or more tires. on the cake.” Isaiah, who has worked at Duke for nearly three years, said — Laura Isaiah she closely follows discounts Duke Eye Center administrative assistant offered through PERQS emails and has used other discounts to save on floor finishing, shoes and local eateries such as Biscuitville. “The vacation and healthcare benefits I get because I work at Duke are awesome,” she said. “But the PERQS discount is like icing on the cake.”

BY MARSHA A. GREEN

14

Working@Duke

go online

For a full list of PERQS discounts, visit hr.duke.edu/discounts


Sustainable uke YOUR SOURCE FOR

GREEN

N E W S AT D U K E

Celebrate All Things Food In October Duke hosts events leading up to Oct. 24 national ‘Food Day’

W

hile Durham is known As part of the Food Day for its locally-themed celebration, the Duke Campus Farm food scene, Duke will hold its first Beet Festival from students, staff and 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20. Open to all Duke faculty can go hyperlocal right on community members, the event will Duke’s campus. feature music, lawn games and food This October, Duke community like beet salad, beet gnocchi and beet members can take part in a celebration chocolate cake. of food all month as part of ongoing Students and employees can also activities leading up to Food Day show off their love for food through on Oct. 24, a nationwide celebration Sustainable Duke’s Food Day photo to highlight health, nutrition and competition. To participate, students, people’s connection to food they eat. faculty and staff can submit a photo Duke will host its own community and caption beginning Oct. 1 on the dinner on West Campus to celebrate Sustainable Duke Facebook page and that day. explain what food means to them. Amelia Chen, a Duke undergraduate student, won last year’s Sustainable Duke photo contest with this photo of her younger brother preparing “Every day, we make choices From Oct. 15 to 19, voting will take about what we eat and October’s Food Chinese food. place to see which picture can Day celebrations highlight a search for accumulate the most “likes.” One options that are more sustainable,” said Casey Roe, outreach winner will receive free registration to a Duke Campus Farm coordinator for Sustainable Duke. “Events focused around food workshop and other prizes. are a fun way to bring together the Duke community, while “We are celebrating sustainable, local and healthy food choices, promoting local, organic and healthy food options.” but everyone has their own personal story to tell about food,” said Events, which will be hosted by student organizations and Roe, the sustainability outreach coordinator. “We want to hear from Sustainable Duke, include contests, a beet festival and more. the members of the Duke community what food means to you.” To get a sense for how Duke is committed to healthy and BY BRYAN ROTH sustainable food, students and employees need only start at the Duke Campus Farm, where each week, at least 10 volunteers help care for a variety of produce. This fall, carrots, beets, salad greens and more will go straight from the farm into Duke’s dining halls. “Spending time at the farm is a wonderful way to connect with the earth in a very fundamental way,” said Jennifer Masat, a clinical nurse in Duke’s Neurodiagnostics Lab who volunteers at the Duke Campus Farm. “It helps people realize where their food is coming from, and they can see where it goes. I’m all about organic and local food, so the farm is the best of both worlds.” Masat is excited for October’s Food Day events because they will provide a chance for Duke community members to learn more Special events will be held throughout about Duke’s efforts to promote healthy eating choices. In addition October to celebrate Food Day. See what’s to being used in Duke’s dining halls, produce from the Duke going on by checking the calendar at Campus Farm was also sold for the first time this summer at the sustainability.duke.edu. Duke Farmers Market.

Find Food Day Events In October

go online

Learn more about Duke sustainability efforts at sustainability.duke.edu

today.duke.edu/working

15


WORKING@DUKE HOW TO REACH US Editor: Leanora Minai (919) 681-4533 leanora.minai@duke.edu Assistant Vice President: Paul S. Grantham (919) 681-4534 paul.grantham@duke.edu Graphic Design & Layout: Paul Figuerado (919) 684-2107 paul.figuerado@duke.edu Senior Writer: Marsha A. Green (919) 684-4639 marsha.green@duke.edu Senior Writer/Videographer: Bryan Roth (919) 681-9965 bryan.roth@duke.edu Photography: Duke University Photography and Marsha Green and Bryan Roth of Communication Services.

Working@Duke is published every other month by Duke’s Office of Communication Services. We invite your feedback and story ideas. Send email to working@duke.edu or call (919) 684-4345. Don’t forget to visit the “Working@Duke” section daily on Duke Today: today.duke.edu/working

dialogue@Duke “What is your favorite Duke-related benefit?”

My favorite benefit would be the Duke Gardens. I like to go there on weekends to run, and I also like to have lunch there. I love the pavilion in the Gardens that’s covered with climbing vines. It looks down on a pond, and it’s a great place to people watch and have a rest after I run.” Molly Coyle Development associate, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions 4 months at Duke

My favorite is the Children’s Tuition Grant Program because it helped me go to college. I was able to use it because my dad worked at Duke. It helped me earn a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from Guilford College – I graduated in 1999. It was an enormous benefit because it helped me avoid going into debt.” Pierre Byrd Senior international student/scholar advisor, Duke Visa Services 8 years at Duke

I’d say the best benefit would be access to the Duke libraries. I’ve borrowed books and audiobooks. I love that all you need is a Duke ID to check them out. There are also great facilities like the Multimedia Project Studio. I’ve used it to digitize foreign films for the language department.” Whanessa Choates Staff assistant, Trinity Office of Technology Services 18 years at Duke

Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn facebook.com/workingatduke • twitter.com/workingatduke j.mp/workinglinkedin

DukeTODAY

For daily news and information, visit

today.duke.edu/working


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.