1. Employees: Open Enrollment Begins Today

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.

2. COVID-19 Testing Available at UHS

COVID-19 testing is provided by University Health Services on Mondays and Fridays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, for faculty, staff, and students. Appointments are recommended and can be self-scheduled via the employee or student patient portal. Walk-ins are also accepted during this time. University Health Services is located on the 9th floor of the 910 Madison Building.

Spouses, family members, and friends of UTHSC faculty, staff, and students cannot be tested at University Health Services and should go to a community testing site.

Testing at University Health Services is for those who are asymptomatic (no symptoms) and have had no known exposure to COVID-19.

Those with symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be referred to a University Clinical Health mobile testing site by texting “COVID” to 901.203.5526. Test results will take about 48 hours to be returned to the patient.

3. 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.

4. Donation Drives on the Memphis Campus

Nurse-Midwifery Students Collect Donations with Regional One Health Midwives for Melrose High School and Agape Child and Family Services 

• National Midwifery Week is October 3-9, with the theme "Midwifery for Every Community" 
• Find out more about midwifery and the College of Nursing's DNP NMW concentration on October 7, 8:00 – 10:00 am, in the Madison Plaza with coffee and donuts.
• Drop off feminine hygiene items and infant supplies in designated boxes in the College of Nursing Building and the Madison Plaza

GRIT Residents Collect Donations for World Relief Memphis and Asha's Refuge

• Donated supplies and monetary donations will support two of the major organizations assisting with refugee resettlement in Memphis
• Monetary donations through UTHSC Guided Resident International Training (GRIT) will go directly to these organizations
• The following items will be collected in designated boxes in the Coleman Building (in front of the first floor elevators), GEB Building (by the GEB Café), and the Madison Plaza (by the HSC Hub):
  • Toiletries (i.e.: soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, razor, toilet paper)
  • Cleaning Supplies (i.e.: liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, sponges)
  • Household Supplies (i.e.: pots, pans, can openers, light bulbs, towels, sheets, kitchen utensils)
  • School Supplies (i.e.: backpacks filled with general supplies)
  • Baby Bags (i.e.: baby bags filled with diapers, wipes, baby items, onesies)
  • Diapers and Wipes
  • Nonperishable Foods (i.e.: dried beans, pasta, rice, canned spaghetti sauce, NIDO milk)

5. Last Day to Submit Nominations for the DEI Faculty Award

Is there a faculty member that comes to mind who embodies the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion? Who demonstrates a commitment to those ideals by way of their service, outreach, and research? Who has taken the time to recruit and mentor diverse students, trainees, and maybe even other faculty members? Nominate them for the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Faculty Award!

The 2021 DEI Faculty Award nomination form is open until 11:59 pm CDT TODAY, October 1. More information can be found on the DEI Faculty website.