October/November, 2016 Working@Duke by Working Duke

COMMEMORATING VETERANS 11

FUN SPACES FOR MEETINGS 12

PLANT YOUR OWN GARDEN 15

NEW S YOU C AN USE • O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Saving and Changing Lives Employees share how Duke’s health benefits help them

Editor’s Note

CONTENTS

LEANORA MINAI

Beat Your Fear of Public Speaking Rapid heart rate. Dry mouth. Shortness of breath. I experienced these symptoms before presenting at a national “Storytelling for Communicators” conference at McDonald’s headquarters outside Chicago in September. Would I freeze up? Say “ums” and “uhs”? Look at my notes a lot? I had a case of nerves for nothing. After a few minutes in front of the audience, I felt more at ease. Before I knew it, I was fielding questions. Attendees later told me they enjoyed my presentation, and I gained more confidence through the experience. Still, public speaking is a challenge for many, including me. As a journalist before joining Duke, I excelled at one-on-one and small group conversations. Now, when asked to speak to large groups, I immediately feel nervous. For tips on beating public speaking fears, I talked with Joy Birmingham at Me before my storytelling presentation Duke’s Learning at McDonald’s headquarters. and Organization Development (L&OD). In November, she’s teaching an L&OD workshop, “Essential Presentation Skills.” “All of that fear and anxiety is just energy, and it needs a way to get out of your body and the best way is to move,” Birmingham said. She suggests: Walk. Moving purposefully from one side of the front of a room to the other releases energy and gets the audience’s attention. Practice. Start with a two-minute presentation and work your way up to a five to 10 minute talk. Make eye contact. While speaking, don’t read off notes or slides. Use bullet points for notes. “What I do is I look for smiling faces – people who are enjoying what I’m saying - and that gives me a boost,” Birmingham said. Want to enhance your public speaking and presentations? Call (919) 613-7600 to learn more about the L&OD presentation class, or check into Duke Toastmasters at duketoastmasters.org. I’d also love to hear from you. Please share your public speaking tips and stories with me by calling (919) 681-4533 or send email to leanora.minai@duke.edu.

WORKING@DUKE

4 EIn nroll or Make Health Benefit Changes this special Open Enrollment report, “Get More Out of Duke’s Benefits” on pages 4 through 10, hear from employees who reflect on Duke’s benefits and learn more about 2017 health insurance plans.  Employees share how Duke’s health plans help them, page 4  How to achieve your wellness goals, page 8  Get the most out of pharmacy benefits, page 9  Your Open Enrollment questions answered, page 10

Commemorating Veterans Day

Pick an Inspiring Meeting Place

As faculty and staff commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Working@Duke asked employee-veterans how their service shapes their work.

The weekly staff meeting can become all too familiar. To break routine,

hold your next meeting or retreat in a new place – check out these ideas.

14 15

Discount Membership to BJ’s Wholesale Club Grow Your Own Garden on Campus

Contact us Editor/Communications Director: 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/Videographer: Bryan Roth (919) 681-9965 bryan.roth@duke.edu Writer/Videographer: April Dudash (919) 684-4639 april.dudash@duke.edu Photography: Duke University Photography and Bryan Roth and April Dudash 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. Visit Working@Duke daily on Duke Today: working.duke.edu

2014 Gold, 2015, 2013, Silver, 2016, 2009, 2007 Bronze, Print Internal Audience Publications and 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007 Gold Medal, Internal Periodical Staff Writing

Cover photo: From left to right, Duke employees Deb McCallum, Leon Nelson and Kay Webb share stories about how Duke medical benefits have helped them manage conditions and make healthy lifestyle changes.

BRIEFLY Celebrate ‘Coming Out Day’ on the Plaza

“Maintain Don’t Gain provides a constant reminder to watch what you’re eating and be careful,” Young said. Employees who join Maintain Don’t Gain earn LIVE FOR LIFE dollars, which can be exchanged for yoga mats, iPod shuffles, chair massages and other items. To sign up, visit hr.duke.edu/maintain.

Pick up a free T-shirt, watch student performances, and visit information tables during Coming Out Day on Oct. 6. National Coming Out Day is recognized on Oct. 11 each year and celebrates coming out as lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender or queer. The Oct. 6 event on Duke’s campus, which will also focus on awareness, advocacy and education, will be at the Bryan Center Plaza and is organized by the Duke Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. Allies are invited to attend to show support. “I love the enthusiasm and seeing how excited people are,” said Nick Antonicci, director of the Duke Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. “My favorite part usually comes after, when I’m able to talk to students and hear the reactions. Often they tell me that it’s one of the most affirming experiences that they have on campus.” Find event updates and LGBTQA+ campus resources at studentaffairs.duke.edu/csgd.

Support Triangle area neighborhoods and projects

Protect yourself against cyber threats As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, the Duke University and Duke Health IT Security Offices are asking employees to learn more about ransomware and other phishing attacks. There has been a national rise in ransomware, which is malicious software that encrypts or locks a computer or files to prevent access unless a ransom is paid. Recent ransomware attacks targeting healthcare organizations have caused some institutions to take IT systems offline and revert to paper records temporarily to recover. Several waves of phishing attacks containing ransomware have targeted Duke users and departments, said Richard Biever, the university’s chief information security officer. “Ransomware is malware on steroids,” Biever said. “Good cyber hygiene is still the best defense: Don’t open attachments, make sure your computer and software are kept up-to-date, and keep good backups.” During National Cyber Security Awareness Month, employees and students can take quizzes and be entered to win prizes. For details, visit security.duke.edu.

Maintain weight during the winter Most Americans gain one to three pounds between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays. Join “Maintain Don’t Gain,” an eight-week program that helps employees keep weight off during the holidays. The program runs Nov. 14 through Jan. 8 and is organized by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program. Participating employees receive weekly emails with tips about healthy behavior and recipes. Jim Young, a program manager for Duke Primary Care and Duke Urgent Care, participated in the program last year and lost about three pounds. He was mindful about what he ate and exercised regularly at a gym.

From building a playground in a Durham park to buying diapers for babies in need, money raised through Duke’s employee giving campaign has a wide reach. The annual Duke Doing Good in the Neighborhood campaign runs Oct. 10 through Nov. 18, in which employees can support local nonprofits and projects by donating to one of six giving categories: Youth Empowerment, Health, Neighborhoods, Schools, the United Way of the Greater Triangle, and the Community Care Fund, which provides competitive grants to diverse nonprofits. During the 2015-16 employee giving campaign, staff and faculty raised a total of $647,985 to support nearly 60 nonprofits, five community centers, and 12 neighborhoods in four North Carolina counties (Durham, Wake, Johnston and Orange). Jonathan Abels and 60 of his Duke Sanford School of Public Policy colleagues donated to Doing Good in the Neighborhood last year. “I was really glad that people gave and they gave in all different amounts,” said Abels, executive director of the Duke Center for International Development. “That’s something we can be proud of. I feel like we contributed, and I hope we contribute again this year.” Visit doinggood.duke.edu.

Quit tobacco during Great American Smokeout Tobacco use continues to be the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. Start the journey toward quitting during the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 17. Duke joins the American Cancer Society every year in planning awareness events during a day meant to encourage individuals to quit using tobacco products. Staff with LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program, will visit university and medical campus locations to share information about Duke’s tobacco cessation programs. Diane Dunder, LIVE FOR LIFE’s tobacco cessation support specialist, said she is currently helping about 300 Duke employees and dependents quit using tobacco. The LIVE FOR LIFE Tobacco Cessation Program is available at no charge to Duke employees eligible for Duke benefits, as well as adult dependents of employees. “It can take several attempts to quit,” Dunder said. “But the good news is that with each attempt, individuals are more likely to be successful.” Learn more about the Great American Smokeout and Duke’s tobacco cessation programs at hr.duke.edu/smokeout.

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Saving and Changing Lives Employees reflect on how Duke medical benefits have improved their lives; Open Enrollment for health benefits begins Oct. 24 Seen in these “before and after” photographs, Duke employee Kay Webb weighed around 370 pounds in the mid 1990s, eventually reaching 382 in 2010. Duke’s medical benefits have helped her lose weight and drop to 230.

WORKING@DUKE

or much of her adult life, Kay Webb has been trying to lose weight. She’s bought dozens of wellness books and joined Weight Watchers 29 different times since the late 1970s. She lost 100 pounds in 1978, but slowly put it back on until reaching 382 pounds in 2010. The cartilage in her right knee was gone, she had back pain and her energy level sometimes felt next to nothing. “You’re miserable because you can’t walk very far and you can’t stand up,” said Webb, costume shop supervisor for University Center Activities & Events’ Theater Operations. “I thought I’d go on disability.” But after finding an Atkins Diet book at a Wal-Mart six years ago and receiving medication and doctor visits through her Duke medical plan, Webb got her health back on track. She changed her diet - no carbs and more protein and fat – and started to lose weight. Her health insurance allowed her to see Dr. Eric Westman, a Duke physician and renowned low-carb diet specialist. Extra help came from a monthly low-carb support group, and she started sprint exercises two or three times a week in Durham’s Long Meadow neighborhood. The weight came off – even though she needed knee replacement surgeries in 2014 (right knee) and 2015 (left knee). She’s closing in on weighing 230 pounds now and turned in her campus parking permit, opting to ride a bike or walk and take a bus the two miles to work. She’s off weight-related medications, saving $70 a month. “The resources Duke provides mean everything,” said Webb, 65. “We have access to so much and without the insurance or Dr. Westman, I wouldn’t be where I am.” It’s this time of year when Webb is reminded how far she’s come, as faculty and staff take time to consider health benefits during Open Enrollment, which runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 4. Medical, dental and vision plans are eligible for updates for about 65,000 individuals covered by Duke’s four health plans. In the past fiscal year, Duke provided nearly $208 million in total payments for health concerns for all plan participants, up $10 million from the previous year. Stories from across Duke echo Webb’s experience, as employees reflect on how their Duke benefits have improved their lives.

SPECIAL REPORT: Get More Out of Duke’s Benefits

A mammogram and mastectomy In 2011, Deb McCallum visited Duke Clinic for a routine mammogram. It had been 11 months since her last screening. But what she expected to be a normal visit resulted in follow-ups for an ultrasound and biopsy. As McCallum sat in front of her doctor in an exam room during a follow-up, he pulled out a piece of paper, drawing a circle with colored pencils. The circle represented McCallum’s left breast, and three dots he scribbled inside were malignant cancer. McCallum, a senior accounting specialist in the Duke Fuqua School of Business Accounting Office, was 59 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She remembered going to Chili’s with her family after the appointment, where tears were shed as her mother, two sisters and boyfriend absorbed the news. Her treatment would be a mastectomy. “I said, ‘OK, all of you people, you’re either with me or you’re against me, and if you start getting negative, you’re against me,’ ” McCallum said. “This is a part of my journey through life. This is just the leg of the trip that I’m on. Crying ain’t gonna take it away.” Three months after the cancer diagnosis, her left breast was removed. She underwent reconstructive surgery, a decision fueled by her love of the beach and feeling comfortable in a swimsuit. She has had eight surgeries to shape stomach tissue that replaced breast tissue and continues to visit her surgeon once a year. For all surgeries, which cost a total of about $500,000, she paid about $1,800 out of pocket because she is covered by one of Duke’s medical plans, Duke Select. “I never got any bills from the hospital,” said McCallum, now 62. “Had I not had the insurance I had and worked here, I couldn’t have had that surgery. It would have been impossible. I don’t know anyone who could afford to have that surgery done unless you were a millionaire.”

>> continued on page 6

Duke senior accounting specialist Deb McCallum meets with Duke reconstructive surgeon Dr. Scott Hollenbeck for a follow-up appointment about breast reconstructive surgery.

Enroll or Make Benefit Changes Beginning Oct. 24 As annual open enrollment for benefits approaches, Duke’s health insurance plans have never been more popular – a record 65,000 faculty, staff and family members are covered. That popularity is driven in part by lower costs compared to options available in the market, said Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for Administration. “Healthcare costs nationally have continued to outpace inflation, and the healthcare exchanges have continued to see substantial volatility with some providers dropping out and others projecting significant increases in premiums for the coming year,” Cavanaugh said. For 2017, Duke will keep premium increases for its most popular plans well below the national average with Duke still paying 80 percent of the cost for individual coverage. Premiums for Duke’s most popular plan, Duke Select, will increase $3 per month for individuals and $16 per month for family coverage. Premium increases for other plans vary (see chart on page 6). There will be no increases to copays for primary care, specialty care or urgent care visits. Copays for inpatient, outpatient and prescription drugs will increase slightly to cover increasing costs in those areas. While use of generic medications has helped manage cost increases, use of specialty medications has risen dramatically. About 37 percent of Duke’s prescription drug spending last year was for specialty medications, some of which cost up to $3,000 a month to treat diseases like hepatitis. “Our situation is the same with what we see on a national Kyle Cavanaugh level, as employees age and deal with more chronic diseases,” Cavanaugh said. “Specialty medication is a prime driver of healthcare costs going up for all employers.” Cavanaugh said that one of the most important aspects of 2017’s plans is minimal disruption at a time when other employers are adding additional surcharges, eliminating spousal coverage and introducing high deductible plans. Healthcare decisions made by Duke employees, such as visiting a primary care doctor instead of going to urgent care, picking a generic medicine over a brand name and participating in a fitness or wellness initiative, help reduce health plan costs. “Managing healthcare plans continues to be one of the most significant organizational challenges throughout the country,” Cavanaugh said. “We’re focused on strategies to keep our offerings at a cost below what we find elsewhere.” Learn more about Open Enrollment at hr.duke.edu/enrollment2017.

working.duke.edu

2017 Duke Monthly Health Insurance Premiums Individual

Family

2017

2016

2017

2016

Duke Basic

$31

$30

$292

$282

Duke Select

$78

$75

$461

$445

Blue Care

$147

$137

$656

$613

Duke Options

$141

$132

$648

$606

For more information about dental and vision rates and other plan details, please see the distributed Open Enrollment materials mailed to homes in October.

It runs in the family

Leon Nelson, a housekeeper who cares for The Link in Perkins Library, paid $450 on a $16,000 heart surgery due to his Duke medical insurance.

WORKING@DUKE

Even with a threat of diabetes always present, Leon Nelson didn’t think he’d be at risk to get diagnosed with the disease at 63. But there he was earlier this year, getting test results from an emergency room doctor after he had been brought to Duke Hospital for heart palpitations. Nelson spent his life watching other family members deal with diabetes, including his cousins and parents. His father died from complications related to the disease in May. “I was in shock after my diagnosis because I did a lot of walking prior to that and I try to stay off sugary sweets,” said Nelson, 63, a housekeeper in Perkins Library. “At my age, I never thought I’d be diabetic.” Through his Duke Select insurance plan, he was referred to DukeWELL, a free care management program for employees dealing with a variety of serious illnesses, including heart problems and diabetes. He was placed in a monthly diabetes support class at the Duke Family Medicine Center, was set up with Duke doctors for monthly check-ins, and met with dietitians to plan balanced meals with smaller portions and more fruits and vegetables. “Now I’m drinking more water than I’ve drank in my whole life,” Nelson said. He’s also taking medication for Type II diabetes and rapid heart rate after needing heart ablation surgery in June to correct the organ’s rhythm patterns. Nelson said his only cost for the inpatient surgery was a $450 copay for a roughly $16,000 procedure. “So many people don’t have insurance, and if I hadn’t had Duke Select, that’s the kind of money I don’t have,” he said. “I’m very glad to be at Duke.” Nelson continues to walk frequently at Durham’s Northern High School and has lost 10 pounds since he was diagnosed in January. He plans to lose at least 10 more. “I feel twice as good as I used to,” he said.

SPECIAL REPORT: Get More Out of Duke’s Benefits

How Our Top-10 Health Conditions Add Up Prevention

$14.1M

Diabetes

$8.8 M

Osteoarthritis

$6 M

Newborns

$5.1 M

Depression

$4.7 M

Joint Disorders

$4.7 M

Pregnancy

$4.6 M

w/ Vaginal Delivery

Multiple Sclerosis Breast Cancer Hypertension

$4.4 M $4.1M $3.3 M

From April 2014 through March 2015, Duke spent a total of $194.9 million covering a variety of medical treatments for Duke employees and covered family members. These are the top-10 costs in that same time period. Source: Duke Human Resources Duke computerized EKG technician Onette Shaw, right, includes her husband, James, under her Duke medical plan. James suffered a heart attack in 2015 and was admitted to Duke Hospital.

A heart-to-heart with her husband Onette Shaw’s husband, James, arrived home from his shift at Kroger and settled in the living room to watch TV when he mentioned his chest pain. Onette, a computerized EKG technician who works on the cardiology floor of Duke Hospital, noticed his symptoms weren’t disappearing. Onette and her husband got in the car and drove 10 minutes to Duke Hospital’s Emergency Department. Early that July morning in 2015, they got the results back from his electrocardiogram (EKG), vital signs, blood tests and an X-ray: The main artery of his heart was 95 percent obstructed. “One of the cardiologists I work with said that’s known as the widow-maker,” Onette said.

James was immediately admitted to the cardiology floor and went into the catheterization lab for surgery to clean the clogged arteries. Onette and her husband were covered by Duke insurance and paid $450 for the inpatient admission and two-night hospital stay. Without her Duke Select plan, Onette would have been responsible for paying about $50,000. A year later, James has lost 40 pounds and cut fried food from his diet. He spends time with their three children and joined a spring basketball league at church. “When something major happens, you appreciate the fact that you have that health insurance,” said Onette, who is 40. “I don’t know what we would have done if we had actually lost him. I’ve been with James since I was 19. I don’t know anybody else.”

By Bryan Roth and April Dudash

Who Is Covered By Duke’s Medical Insurance Plans?

As of June 2016, this is how many active employees, family members and retirees are covered by Duke’s health plans. Source: Duke Human Resources

working.duke.edu

How to Achieve Your Wellness Goals Duke experts share five tips on becoming a healthier you

Revamp eating habits

eidra Powell was overweight, diabetic and had high cholesterol before she turned to Duke’s employee wellness program for help. By participating in free health initiatives through Duke, she lost 70 pounds, changed her diet and was able to stop taking diabetes medication. “I’m trying to hold myself accountable,” said Powell, a senior IT analyst at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. “When I look at old pictures and I look at who I was then and Deidra Powell who am I now, I feel like I can do more and be more active.” Here are five ways to achieve wellness goals:

Get a free nutrition consultation from LIVE FOR LIFE and receive tips for healthy eating, weight management and other health factors. “My role is to be an outside perspective that can give you facts or dispel anything that may be misunderstood,” said Esther Granville, Esther Granville LIVE FOR LIFE nutrition program manager. “We’re just here to help people.” Make an appointment: hr.duke.edu/nutrition

Quit using tobacco

Get moving during the week Join a gym or try Duke’s free Run/Walk Club, which meets in the spring and fall. “A simple, 15-minute walk should help you feel more refreshed throughout the day,” said Katie MacEachern, fitness program manager for LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program. “One break for physical activity is better than none at all.” Get moving: hr.duke.edu/fitness

Katie MacEachern

Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Kick the tobacco habit with LIVE FOR LIFE’s tobacco cessation program, which Diane Dunder includes a free consultation, treatment discounts and follow-up calls for a year. Employees who use tobacco and are covered under a Duke medical insurance plan will pay an extra $50 per month, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Employees who go through the tobacco cessation program can get that tobacco surcharge removed. Get started: hr.duke.edu/tobaccofree

Lower your stress

Get enough sleep Adults should get seven to eight hours of sleep nightly, said Dr. Brian Blank with Duke Community and Family Medicine. Remove distractions from the bedroom such as checking email or watching TV, he added. “You’re probably not getting as much Dr. Brian Blank sleep as you think,” Blank said. “Besides just feeling crummy, study after study has shown that workers that are getting less sleep are less productive during the day.” Learn more: sleepfoundation.org

One in five working adults in the U.S. say they’ve experienced a great deal of stress at work in the past year, according to a July study led in part by NPR. If you are dealing with stress, make an appointment with Duke’s Personal Assistance Service (PAS). PAS offers short-term Kate Thieda counseling sessions and referrals at no charge. “If employees are noticing changes in their mood or that they’re feeling burnt out at work, come visit,” said PAS counselor Kate Thieda. Get help: pas.duke.edu

By April Dudash

WORKING@DUKE

Learn more about health and wellness programs at hr.duke.edu/liveforlife

SPECIAL REPORT: Get More Out of Duke’s Benefits

Get the Most Out of Pharmacy Benefits

Fill prescriptions through a Duke, retail or mail-order pharmacy

elly Deal’s 45-minute commute to Duke each work day doesn’t allow much time for extra errands. That’s why her oral contraceptive prescription and husband’s eye medication are delivered to her doorstep every three months through Duke’s mail-order pharmacy benefit. With mail order, she saves about $75 total on two 90-day prescriptions. “It seems like such a no-brainer to me,” said Deal, assistant director of research at the Duke Global Health Institute. “It’s affordable. It’s easy. It’s not a lot of effort on my behalf.” Deal orders her prescriptions online through Express Scripts, which oversees pharmacy benefits for all of Duke’s medical plans, including mail-order, participating retail pharmacies and Duke pharmacy prescription fills. Duke staff and faculty who register on the Express Scripts website [express-scripts.com] can price medications, view prescription history, find a retail pharmacy or enroll in mail order. Last year, employees and covered dependents filled about 564,000 prescriptions through Express Scripts, and nearly half were mail-order prescriptions. “If a Duke employee is heading to the doctor’s office and they’re thinking about what the right place is for them to get a prescription, they should talk to their provider during that visit and discuss the medications they’re taking chronically,” said Victoria Lee Jackson Carter, an Express Scripts senior clinical account executive based at Duke. Based on an employee’s pharmacy needs, here are ways to save time and money using Duke’s pharmacy benefit:

Short-term (acute) medication: Use a retail pharmacy for up to a 34-day supply This is the best option if you face a short-term health issue; for example, an antibiotic is needed for a bacterial infection. But plan carefully: The fourth time you fill a maintenance medication (one you need monthly) at a retail pharmacy, there is a penalty that may result in paying more for that prescription. Certain prescriptions filled more than three times are considered long-term medications. These should instead be filled for 90 days through a Duke pharmacy or the Express Scripts mail-order pharmacy.

Long-term (chronic) medication: Use Express Scripts mail order or a Duke pharmacy for a 90-day supply

Receiving a 90-day supply of a prescription is the best option if you have a long-term health condition or regularly take a medication. For example, this method would be appropriate for an employee on an oral contraceptive or insulin for diabetes. By ordering a 90-day supply, you will save money on most prescriptions, especially generic brands. To start using mail order, your doctor can electronically set up new prescriptions through Express Scripts or you can call Express Scripts and request any retail medications be transferred to the mail-order service. Still, plan carefully with a 90-day supply: Before committing to a new prescription, talk with your doctor and consider ordering your first prescription through a retail pharmacy. This way, you can uncover potential side effects and ensure the medicine fits your health needs.

Learn more about pharmacy benefits at hr.duke.edu/pharmacy

By April Dudash

working.duke.edu

SPECIAL REPORT: Get More Out of Duke’s Benefits

Dental Coverage

Your Open Enrollment Questions Answered Important information about signing up for health coverage

very October, thousands of Duke employees update and alter a variety of health benefits during Open Enrollment. During this time, faculty and staff turn to Human Resources as a source of information to answer questions and provide context for important decisions. During the Open Enrollment signup period, Duke Human Resources staff average about 700 calls a day. “When employees set aside time to review the details of health plans and what benefits are available to them, there are always questions that come up,” said Deborah Daye, senior benefits analyst with Duke Human Resources. “It’s our responsibility to make sure we can serve anyone who may need more information.” In preparation for Open Enrollment, Working@Duke asked the Duke Benefits team for some common questions, and here are answers to what employees ask most frequently.

The most common question Benefits staff receive is about a “late entrant” for dental coverage. If an employee doesn’t sign up for a dental plan within 30 days of hire, he or she must wait for Open Enrollment in October to enroll. If an employee waits until Open Enrollment, faculty, staff and dependents can only receive preventive services for the first year of coverage. That includes exams, cleanings, and for children under 19, one fluoride application. X-rays are not covered during that first year.

hr.duke.edu/dental

Changing Coverage for Life Events Whether it’s a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or other life event, you don’t have to wait for Open Enrollment to change health benefits coverage. An online tool through the Duke@Work portal allows you to upload documentation and adjust coverage within 30 days of a qualifying life event. hr.duke.edu/lifeevents

Reimbursement Accounts You can sign up for health and dependent care reimbursement accounts during Open Enrollment to cover costs of copays and childcare. But did you know that after you sign up, you have until Dec. 31 to finalize the amount of money in an account? If you decide you want more or less in either account after Open Enrollment ends Nov. 4, you have two months to call Human Resources at (919) 684-5600 to adjust. The maximum allowed for a health care reimbursement account is $2,550 and $5,000 for dependent care.

hr.duke.edu/reimbursement

Voluntary Benefits Faculty and staff can sign up for short or longterm disability coverage, supplemental life and personal accident insurance at any time of the year, not just during Open Enrollment. When Human Resources Information Center specialist Jennifer Frazier tells callers they can enroll in voluntary benefits any time – not only during Open Enrollment – she says their reaction is often expected: “I can do this now?” they surprisingly ask. It’s true. “They’re often relieved to hear that,” Frazier said.

hr.duke.edu/benefitsinretirement Compiled by Bryan Roth

WORKING@DUKE

Find details on health insurance and benefit plans at hr.duke.edu/benefits

Commemorating Veterans Day Employee veterans reflect on how military service helps their work

bout 800 Duke employees identify as veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, including some who remain as reservists today. For all, skills gained while serving now benefit them in civilian life at Duke. “The things that are branded into us are values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Sgt. Brian Royer, a recruiter with Human Resources who served in the Marines from 2002 to 2006. “We’re taught about service to our country and leadership, skills that align with Duke’s values to be a forward thinker or day-to-day leader.” As faculty and staff commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Working@Duke asked employee-veterans how their service shapes their work.

Maj. Gen. Charles J. Dunlap Jr., USAF (Ret.) Air Force, 1976 to 2010

Maj. Gen. Charles J. Dunlap Jr. with wife, Joy Dunlap.

Professor of the practice of law and executive director at the Center on Law, Ethics and National Security

“

Duke Law students exhibit the same kind of energy, work ethic and curiosity I saw in young military lawyers. In the military, you discover quickly you can learn from everyone, regardless of age or rank, if you treat them with respect. That transfers to teaching at Duke. If you interact with young people with the idea that you can learn as well as teach, you get invaluable insights and, in turn, they’ll be open to learning from someone they believe respects them.”

Veterans Day Ceremony

Duke Human Resources will host the annual Veterans Day commemoration at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in front of Duke Chapel. Visit hr.duke.edu for more information closer to the event date.

Yeoman First Class Deborah Daye Navy, 1983 to 1987; Navy Reserve 1987 to 2013

Senior benefits analyst, Human Resources A premise of service is how “ quickly you can adapt. Starting in boot

camp, officers see how fast they can shake you. In my four years of active duty, we were doing anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. We were on high alert missions all the time. We had to stay on our toes. This has helped me adjust to problems, especially with my temperament. I think I get through difficult situations quicker than others because of that military experience.”

Lt. Col. Michael Slack Army Reserve, 1988 to present

Enterprise storage manager, Duke Clinical Research Institute

“

During my time with Duke, I’ve also served in roles with the Army Reserve, from executive officer in a Basic Combat Training unit to director of Defensive Cyber Operations throughout Southwest Asia. It has improved my critical thinking, problem solving and management skills, teaching me to observe and assess a complex situation and break it down into manageable components. In wartime and peacetime, my experience allows me to look at projects as a strategic thinker.”

By Bryan Roth

working.duke.edu

Inspiring Places for Meetings and Retreats A scenery change fuels ideas and energizes routine meetings

he weekly staff meeting can become all too familiar: A structured agenda, the same colleagues, the usual conference room. To break routine, hold your next meeting or retreat in a new place. Duke behavioral economist Dan Ariely says meeting in the same environment helps people recall the same ideas and discussions established in that space, but gathering in a different location could spark fresh ideas. “In our regular meeting place, there’s a chance that we will just continue in the regular social structure. Somebody starts the meeting, somebody responds, people are quiet, other people are not quiet,” Ariely said. “But if we go to a new place, maybe we don’t have the same social norms and we can try something new. There’s a possibility that this something new will get more people to talk, people who haven’t maybe said anything before, and therefore create new ideas.” Get out of your meeting comfort zone in one of these spaces:

1 Network in Duke Forest

Instead of holding a land conservation project seminar in a classroom, Allison Besch took the conversation to the woods. She and 30 environmental professionals enjoyed catered North Carolina barbecue at a picnic shelter in Duke Forest. “We wanted to show people our land resources,” said Besch, director of Executive Education Programs for the Nicholas School of the Environment. “They were excited to change their venue and have something outside of a room with four walls. It was a little more inspiring.” Duke Forest in Durham has two covered picnic shelters off Highway 751 available for rent by the Duke community and the public. Gate C, which costs $35 per day, includes a fireplace and a grill. Gate F, which costs $40 per day, includes electricity and lights, an outhouse, grill, and volleyball court. “To see the sun glistening through the leaves is just the most amazing picture,” said Beverly Burgess, administrative assistant for Duke Forest. “It’s a relaxing environment. Just getting out and building relationships is something great to do.” Learn more: bit.ly/dukeforestshelters

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2 Brainstorm in Downtown Durham

David Frankel, assistant dean of students in the Duke Office of Student Conduct, recently joined colleagues at a staff retreat in The Bullpen, where Duke students and alumni work on entrepreneurial ideas and connect with mentors. In a glass-enclosed conference room, Frankel and his colleagues spent the day examining the process for Undergraduate Conduct Board hearings and walked to nearby Gonza Tacos y Tequila for lunch. “This change of environment is good for our brains,” Frankel said. “It’s good for creative problem-solving, and having a new perspective – driving to a different place and seeing the energy of

3 3 Find Inspiration in Art

When Duke Cancer Institute development staff needed space away from their downtown office for an annual retreat, the group wanted something unique. In June, they wound up inside the Nasher Museum of Art. Annette Henderson and her colleagues rented the Nasher’s University Classroom, a 600-square-foot room with audio-visual capabilities, space for up to 30 people and natural light shining through a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows. “Moving away from our normal environment lets our minds become more focused,” said Henderson, director of advancement services for the Institute. “We can leave distractions behind at the office, which stimulates our creativity because we’re not seeing or hearing the same things.” Staff rented the room for seven hours and paid an extra cost for a catered lunch served by the Nasher Café. The space is open to all members of the Duke community for $50 total for up to three hours and $100 total for three to eight hours. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, all rates will be $50 per hour. As a bonus, Nasher galleries are right outside University Classroom, providing breaks that incorporate artwork. “The building, the space and all the natural lighting is a good combination that you can’t find everywhere,” said Beth Monique Perry, special events manager at the Nasher. Learn more about the University Classroom by sending an email to beth.monique.perry@duke.edu.

4 Create in a New Space

a different office, one where so much creativity is taking place – is positive for any office.” The Bullpen is Duke’s entrepreneurial hub in downtown Durham and is managed by the Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative. It features five conference rooms, two classrooms with audio-visual equipment, and a common area that accommodates up to 240 people – Ping-Pong and pool tables are included. “We have a lot of departments across Duke that will come here for a meeting or retreat,” said Marie-Angela Della Pia, The Bullpen’s community director. “There’s a good energy here, and it’s a good place to come and refocus.” Reserve free meeting space: entrepreneurship.duke.edu/

bullpen/reserve-space

After three years of renovations, the West Union is open with new eateries and meeting spaces to be shared among campus community members. About 10 study and conference-style rooms offer glassencased spaces with a variety of seating (some rooms up to 20 people) and multimedia stations to connect to computers. The new “Tower Room” on the second floor above West Union’s main entrance acts as a signature space for small performances and board meetings. Crews also converted a small storage space on the south side of the building into a meeting space for a dozen people. Nicknamed the “Oculus Room,” it features a skylight about 25 feet above the floor. Larry Moneta, vice president of Student Affairs, said changes to West Union make it an attractive gathering spot with spaces not found in many other buildings across campus. “The value of all these great spaces blends form and function in ways that will evoke a new appreciation for beauty and utility on campus,” Moneta said. “Each aspect of the new West Union, from the architecture to its open spaces, will inspire students, faculty and staff.” To reserve West Union meeting spaces, visit bit.ly/reservewestunion  By April Dudash and Bryan Roth

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PERQS EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

Discount Memberships to BJ’s Wholesale Club

Sebrina McNeill shops at BJ’s Wholesale Club in Cary with her grandchildren, 10-month-old Landon and 2-year-old Lailah.

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ometimes it pays to buy in bulk. Just ask Duke staff assistant Sebrina McNeill, who has been a BJ’s Wholesale Club member for nearly 20 years. When she shops at the store, she buys two pounds of salmon for future meals, cakes for special occasions, and detergent and paper towels, among other goods. “You get more for your money,” said McNeill of Duke Cardiothoracic Surgery. “I figured saving that way would be better than going to the grocery store.” McNeill and other Duke employees can save $15 on an Inner Circle annual membership to BJ’s Wholesale Club and $25 on the BJ’s Rewards Membership. Both memberships offer a bonus month of membership at no cost. The Rewards Membership also allows the cardholder to earn 2 percent back on most BJ’s in-club and online purchases. McNeill likes the Inner Circle Membership because it includes access to all BJ’s Wholesale Club locations and a second membership card for a family member, which she provides to her daughter. “That’s where she shops for her kids, for Pampers and milk,” McNeill said. Duke health information management specialist Syreeta Dukes, also a member of BJ’s Wholesale Club, receives coupon books in the mail with the latest deals. When she visits the Brier Creek store, she stocks up on Gatorade, bottled water, and school snacks like fruit cups and potato chips for her two sons. She also bought kale and carrots in bulk when her sons had pet guinea pigs. “I enjoy the membership just because of the extended month, the low rates and the coupons,” Dukes said. “There’s always a better price somewhere, but for me, I think I save the most at BJ’s.” Find the membership application: bit.ly/dukebjswholesale.  By April Dudash

Continue to save using more Duke discounts: hr.duke.edu/discounts

SUSTAINABLE DUKE YOUR SOURCE FOR GREEN NEWS AT DUKE

Grow a Garden on Campus Community garden plots are available to employees

Plots at the Community Garden next to the Duke Smart Home are available for faculty, staff and students.

he cooling air and changing fall colors may turn gardeners’ attention to a season of harvest, and with the help of a free Duke program, faculty and staff can get into the spirit. All Duke community members are eligible to be part of a community garden next to the Duke Smart Home on Faber Street. The space, which features 16 raised beds for gardening, a small orchard and greenhouse, allows faculty, staff and students a hands-on opportunity to learn about agriculture and grow produce to bring home. By committing to a couple hours of volunteer time on one community workday each month, participants receive a plot in a bed to plant fruits, vegetables, herbs and more. This fall, workdays take place 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Gardeners are also welcome to visit the space on their own time. “Fall is a great time to get involved because you have an ideal climate for growing well into the season and have

a harvest for Thanksgiving,” said Becky Hoeffler, an avid gardener and program coordinator for Sustainable Duke. “Broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomatoes and squash are all great to focus on.” The community garden provides tools on-site, from gloves and shovels to wheelbarrows. Water for the garden is captured at the Smart Home with rain barrels and underground cisterns. Jim Gaston, director of the Smart Home, said the garden helps bring all members of the campus community together to share an activity. “Any time you have a shared space, there’s opportunity to learn leadership and teamwork,” Gaston said. “It’s a great example of how Duke tries to bring people together to be sustainable and use our natural resources more efficiently.” Faculty and staff interested in joining the community garden can email Emily Dubie, a graduate student overseeing the garden, at emily.dubie@duke.edu. 

Learn about sustainability initiatives at sustainability.duke.edu

Fall Gardening Tips from Becky Hoeffler Stay Indoors. Because summer heat lingers in North Carolina, greater success with plantings can take place by starting seeds indoors where they won’t suffer in heat. Keeping small planters or pots inside near sunlight will help while air conditioning keeps seeds and soil cool. Maximize Potential. Before transplanting to soil, soak plants in nursery containers. This will help water reach the bottom of the root system. Most water is either evaporated or absorbed before reaching 4 inches into the soil, so soaking in containers maximizes potential for growth. Replenish Soil. Instead of fall produce, another option is to use cover crops such as clover that can help soil recover from a long summer season and replenish nutrients such as nitrogen, which is crucial for healthy plants.

By Bryan Roth

working.duke.edu

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