Brown Bag and Workshop Sessions

On Friday, July 19, 2024, the University Classified Staff Council held their annual workshop for fiscal year 2024. The theme was Wellness and encompassed a wide range of topics under that banner. 

This is one of our most exciting events and a staff favorite, and 2024 did not disappoint! We had a full day of inspiring speakers, panel discussions, fun activities, vendor booths, door prizes, and tasty food. We also took this opportunity to publicly announce the winners of our Educational Awards Program and the UCSC Spotlight Award winners.

UCSC FY24 Chair Alainna Talton kicked off the festivities, introducing Karen Spillar, JD, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, who discussed many wonderful programs the University has to offer classified staff. We then loosened up in a stretching activity led by Alicia Phillips, Wellness Coordinator with MD Anderson. 

There were brief presentations by the UTHealth Office of the Ombuds, an invitation to join the UTHealth Houston Walk to End Alzheimer's team, and an overview of the UTHealth Recreation Center.

We enjoyed an engaging panel discussion on Occupational Wellness and Work-Life Balance, featuring Amee Amin, Associate Professor at McGovern Department of Emergency Medicine; Scott Patlovich, Assistant Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety; Angela Rasheed-Stephens, Senior Director of Human Resources and Administration; and Michael Valladolid, Director for Information Technology & Academic Computing at the Graduate School.

Julie Van Orden, Senior Program Manager-Wellness, and Jennifer Figueroa, Assistant Director of Benefits, joined us to discuss Employee Assistance Programs offered by UTHealth. This included a virtual presentation by Gigi West, Client Success Manager, Your Money Line.

Elizabeth Brantly from University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) spoke, presenting many of the financial management options available to UTHealth employees through UFCU.

After a delicious lunch, Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD, UTHealth Houston President and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair gave the keynote speech, giving us some insights into some of the inner workings of UTHealth and helping us understand what a great place this truly is.

Dr. Colasurdo employed his signature brand of humor to help us welcome and honor the Educational Awards recipients. These are high-achieving incoming college freshman who received an award in recognition of their educational accomplishments and bright futures.

Dr. Jennifer Bahrman, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences joined us to discuss emotional well-being and strategies to fight stress.

Finally, we handed out the UCSC Staff Spotlight Awards. These awards are given to one person per school whose peers have nominated them as the best UTHealth Houston has to offer.