1. State of the University – Thursday, October 14

Please join Chancellor Schwab on Thursday, October 14, at 12:00 pm CDT for his annual State of the University presentation.

This presentation will be held in the Mooney Library, room 201, with limited seating, and will be live streamed via Zoom.

2. Employees: Open Enrollment is Happening NOW!

Each year, annual enrollment is your chance to choose benefits or make changes that will be effective beginning January 1 through December 31. The annual enrollment period for UTHSC employees is October 1-15.

For information about your 2022 benefits choices, please see the Annual Enrollment for 2022 Benefits newsletter. Find full details, premium charts, and plan option comparison charts at https://www.tn.gov/partnersforhealth.

3. Employees: Flexible Spending Account Program

Employees – consider enrolling in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program during Open Enrollment, now through October 15.

For calendar year 2022, Optum Bank will manage the medical, limited purpose, and dependent care programs, which includes an FSA. Instructions on how to enroll with Optum Bank are available here.

You may use an FSA to pay for health care and dependent care while saving money on your taxes. An FSA allows you to pay certain expenses from your pre-tax income rather than after-tax income. Detailed information on the medical flexible spending accounts can be found here and detailed information on the dependent care flexible spending accounts can be found here.

If you are enrolled in the CDHP health plan for 2022, you are not eligible for a regular medical FSA. You can only enroll in the Limited Purpose FSA which can only be used for vision and dental expenses. Important 2021 medical FSA and limited purpose FSA carryover information will be emailed directly to employees with remaining balances.

4. Free Flu Vaccinations – Monday, October 18

University Health Services and the College of Pharmacy's APhA-ASP and SNPhA student organizations will be providing FREE flu vaccinations to all UTHSC employees and students on Monday, October 18, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Madison Plaza on the Memphis campus.

This flu vaccination clinic will be first come, first served. Additional dates may be added depending on the supply of vaccine. 

Flu vaccination is not required for the 2021–22 academic year, but vaccination is strongly recommended. However, some academic programs may require flu vaccination, so be sure to comply with all program-specific requirements. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted, the annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older with few exceptions. During flu season, flu vaccinations protect individuals, prevent additional stress on health care resources, and decrease the chances of a flu outbreak masking a COVID-19 outbreak.

Verification of vaccine administration will be provided during the visit. Please retain a copy of this form for your records, as proof of administration will not be readily available.

If you have any questions regarding the flu vaccine, please contact University Health Services at 901.448.5630.
 

5. UTRF Funding Available – Apply Now!

The annual maturation program aims to assist researchers in advancing new technologies on the path to market by awarding up to $15,000 in direct costs to the highest ranking proposals. UTHSC researchers, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to submit applications to the Office of Sponsored Programs by October 22.