NEWS AND EVENTS
Upcoming Events
Research Fair and Nebraska Lecture, Nov. 6-8
Don’t forget that the fall Research Fair, including Eileen Hebets’ Nov. 7 Nebraska Lecture, is next week! The Research Fair website has the latest schedule and events. If you haven’t already registered for the Nov. 6 Faculty Recognition Breakfast, you can still do so here.
OPEN Forum Breakfast, Nov. 14
OPEN Forum is back! Join your ORED colleagues from 8:30-10 a.m. in the East Campus Union Great Plains room for breakfast a round of Get to Know the Vice Chancellor, a game show aimed at helping us learn more about Bob Wilhelm. We’ll also learn more about Bob’s vision for the office and meet new ORED hires from 2018.
A bus from Whittier to East Campus will start loading at 8:10 a.m. and will return following the forum.
RSVP by Nov. 12. For more information, contact Laurie Sampson, learning and development coordinator, 402-472-3136.
If you have any questions, contact Laurie Sampson.
Welcomes
Kristin Walstad recently joined the Research Compliance Services team as a research compliance services specialist. Her background is in clinical psychology and financial auditing. Kristin holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from The University of Toledo. Her graduate research focused on serious mental illness and psychotic disorders, mental health recovery and cultural competence in psychological services. Kristin was also a speaker and advocate on Latino mental health issues while at UT. Kristin is a former bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rice University. In her spare time, Kristin can be found out and about in Lincoln and the Midwest region taking amateur photography.
KUDOS TO OUR COLLEAGUES
Becky Freeman, Research Compliance Services, completed the Certified IRB Professional recertification exam. Administered through the Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research organization, or PRIM&R, the recertification exam requires several hours at a testing center to complete. Congratulations, Becky!
Rachel Wenzl, Research Compliance Services, received a KUDOS award Oct. 3 at the University of Nebraska Board of Regents meeting held at the NU Kearney campus. The KUDOS award, established by the NU president and Board of Regents, recognizes outstanding employees from across the four NU campuses who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Rachel was recognized for her work overseeing the Institutional Review Board review process, among other duties.
WELLNESS WATCH
The end of October is best known for Halloween and trick-or-treating, but it also marks the time of year when influenza activity begins to increase. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is watching the flu closely, since last year saw the highest number of deaths from the virus — nearly 80,000 — since modern tracking began. Here are some facts about the flu and tips for protecting yourself:
- Not sure if you have a common cold or the flu? According to the CDC, a cold has a slow onset, whereas the flu comes on suddenly. In fact, a person with the flu can go from well to very sick in just a few minutes. Another difference is duration: A cold persists about three to five days, while the flu lingers for roughly twice that long. And although many symptoms of the cold and flu overlap, fever, headaches, body aches and a dry cough are tipoffs that it is more likely the flu.
- The CDC recommends the flu shot for everyone older than six months. The shot decreases your chance of acquiring the flu by about 40 to 60 percent, and if you do still get the flu, the vaccine often lessens symptom severity. Newborns and children up to 5 years old, pregnant women, people over 65 and patients with chronic medical conditions are considered at highest risk for complications from the flu.
- In addition to the flu shot, there are common sense ways to protect yourself. Wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If you or your children do get sick, contain the germs by staying home from work, school and other events.
WATER COOLER CHAT
Still looking for a Halloween costume idea? You’re probably too late for this year, but these examples of your colleagues’ best costumes from Halloweens past will inspire you for 2019:
Suzan Lund, Sponsored Programs: “Dracula. I had actual fang prosthetics after being in the play.”
Terri Murray, Sponsored Programs: “Frankenstein’s Bride.”
Jeff Wilkerson, Research Communications: “NINJA TURTLE (non-specific turtle).”
We’re taking a break from our survey question this month, but help brainstorm a good winter- or holiday-themed question for the November issue. Submit your ideas here.
Thanks to all who contributed to this month’s OPEN Book. If you have news you’d like to share in the newsletter, submit it here or send it to Tiffany Lee.
