Pulmonary embolisms are a blockage of one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs, and they are usually caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or (more rarely) from other parts of the body.
Although anyone can develop blood clots (also known as deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary embolisms, factors such as immobility, cancer, and surgery increase the risk for this life-threatening condition. Taking prompt, proactive measures to prevent blood clots in your legs, particularly if you are already in the hospital, is the best way to prevent pulmonary embolisms.Continue Reading… Health Matters: Pulmonary embolisms
The week we are highlighting a Communications Manager I (posting #3557) with Intercollegiate Athletics, which is looking for an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Manage all communications and media relations for assigned sports; assist with the supervision of the department’s media relations efforts for all 25 intercollegiate programs and help the publicity efforts to enhance the overall image of Michigan State University; assist in the daily operational activities of the Athletic Communications Office, which include: generating and cultivating local, regional, and national media contacts to promote varsity athletic programs; serving as the on-site game contact for all media outlets; write, edit, design, and distribute various publications (press releases, game notes, postgame recaps, etc); assist in managing the content on the athletic department’s website, which includes written content in addition to photo galleries, video, and new media; Manage social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.); coordinate and monitor media interviews, press conferences, and photo sessions; plan and make arrangements for all press facilities for athletic events; meet with technical staffs for events that are televised and broadcast via radio; Maintain and update statistics for teams utilizing computerized statistical programs; travel with various athletic teams in support of competition; nominate deserving student-athletes, coaches, and administrators for academic and athletic awards and working to create positive publicity for the academic achievements and community service initiatives of the athletic department.
For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.
The MSU Mentors Program for support staff is returning in 2016 and is currently seeking both mentors and mentees to participate. This program is an important part of providing networking and professional development opportunities, strengthening one’s understanding of MSU’s culture and structure, and creating a vital link between organizational memory and future innovation.
The program will run from October 2016 through early August 2017. Both mentors and mentees will be asked to commit to attending a six-hour orientation in October and to meet two hours per month.
Mentee benefits include:
Access to support system during key stages of career development
Gain an experienced perspective on navigating your career and approaching your work
Broaden your professional network
Identify skill gaps and how to bridge them
Get honest, informational feedback
Increase your understanding of business practices and institutional knowledge
Mentor benefits include:
Further develop coaching, communication and leadership skills
Help to develop and retain talent in the organization
Exchange ideas and perspectives on your work and career
Broaden your network and extend it to another
Gain personal satisfaction from helping someone else develop
Learn more about yourself through helping others
For more information, visit the MSU Mentors Program page or contact Kathie Elliott at elliott.k@hr.msu.edu or 517-884-8894. For those interested in being a mentee or mentor, contact Kathie Elliott for an application. In order to evaluate matches, please return all applications by July 1.
We all know MSU’s campus is beautiful in the summer, and now is the time to take advantage of it. Get out of the office and get moving with RecSport’s Fresh Air Fitness program! This program offers three classes during the week that take place in the middle of the day, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. This gives participants in the classes not only physical exercise, but also a great mental break during a busy day.
Thanks to generous sponsors Health4U, The Department of Theatre, and The Department of Horticulture, all of these classes are at no charge for all MSU faculty, staff and students. Fresh Air Fitness classes are offered in June, and you have the opportunity to attend the last classes of the season. Be sure to register.
Tai Chi at Summer Circle Courtyard
Tai Chi has been called a “moving meditation” and has great health benefits for both the mind and body. It is a gentle form of exercise that can aid in alleviating stress and anxiety. The class is held on Tuesdays in the Summer Circle Courtyard east of the Auditorium. The last classes this season will be offered June 21 and 28. In case of rain, go to the Auditorium lobby.
Yoga in the Garden
Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the beautiful Horticulture Gardens in a chair yoga session that will stretch and strengthen your body while relaxing your mind on Wednesday, June 22. Chairs and benches are provided. In case of rain, head indoors at the south entrance to the Plant and Soil Sciences Building.
Pilates on the Green
For a more challenging class that improves flexibility and core strength, attend the Pilates class on the luscious lawn of the Beal Botanical Garden, meeting at the east end near the pergola. You should bring a towel or mat for this class, the last of which is offered on Thursday, June 23. In case of rain, go to IM Circle (first building west) for class in the Dance Studio.
This week we are highlighting a Health Care Assistant (posting #3523) with Osteopathic Surgical Specialties. This position involves front desk check in and check out; answering phones; preparing daily paperwork; printing daily schedules; taking copays and payments; assisting patients with questions and helping as necessary and appropriate; preparing daily deposits; checking insurance eligibility; obtaining referral authorizations for studies and procedures. This position will be cross-trained and may assist in the back office rooming patients as needed.
For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.
Congratulations to the three winners of the “Square Up Your Savings” challenge in April! MSU Human Resources and TIAA, one of our retirement vendors, partnered to bring this fun and educational opportunity to the MSU community as part of Financial Literacy Month.
A total of 749 participants completed 10 missions centered on savings education. When a mission was completed, players earned a square to place on a campus map where they thought virtual hidden savings might be located. Players were then entered into a drawing to win one of three iPad minis.
This year’s winners were:
Thank you to TIAA for sponsoring this challenge! We hope everyone who participated enjoyed the new, more interactive format.
Summer is in full swing this Father’s Day. Check out some of the events you could take your father, husband or children to. Need a last-minute gift? Stop by after work at one of these shops to pick up some Spartan gear!
Since Performance Excellence began six months ago, we have experienced great support and participation from MSU supervisors and support staff. As you saw in the online training, we have taken a phased approach to changing the performance management process. We’d like to give you a heads-up on an upcoming change in the Annual Review form.
If you have a performance review due after July 1, 2016, supervisors will have four options to choose from on the Annual Review Form, instead of the current two options. The four-rating system provides you and your supervisor with more options to better define your performance and professional development over the previous year.
If your next review is due before July 1, 2016, you need to use the current ratings system, in which the supervisor selects one of two ratings on the Annual Review form:
Meets/exceeds expectations
Does not meet expectations (requires a Performance Improvement Plan)
If your next review is due after July 1, 2016, you need to use the new ratings system, in which the supervisor will select one of four ratings on the Annual Review form:
Does not meet expectations (requires a Performance Improvement Plan)
Developing
Meets expectations
Exceeds expectations
Guidelines for each of the levels can be found on the Annual Review form, which will be updated and available on the website on Friday, July 1.
For further information on Performance Excellence, including the official forms, support tools and FAQs, please visit the website.
This week we are highlighting an Instrument Maker I (posting #3471) with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The Cryogenic Assembler will support the assembly, installation, testing and commissioning work for FRIB. Major position responsibilities include working on daily basis as part of a team to assist in the assembly, installation, operation, maintenance, and testing of cryogenic equipment; reading, understanding, and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and procedures; following detailed specifications and procedures in performing work; documenting activities through logging activities in repair and/or trouble-report tracking systems; understanding and following all safety policies and regulations.
For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.
If you like biking and supporting a great cause, then you’re in luck! The MSU College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids is organizing their fourth Gran Fondo, a long-distance, mass participation event geared toward cyclists of all abilities. The big ride on Saturday, June 25, will include four courses: a 12-mile, a 25-mile, a 40-mile and an 80-mile that goes all the way to Lake Michigan and back.
All funds raised from this event go toward skin cancer awareness, prevention and research. Nearly 70,000 people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, and the College of Human Medicine is committed to researching this disease. The cost to register is $80, and each rider is automatically given a $50 fundraising goal. So if you can’t make it out to the ride that day, you can still help by donating on the website. Donations for this event are tax-deductible.
You can also help out by volunteering. The Gran Fondo is very large, and many people are needed to help it run smoothly. Volunteer duties include setting up the event, registration, assisting riders and working on the courses. Volunteer orientation is Wednesday, June 22.
The races will end in a finish line festival with live music and food open to the public. Whether you want to join a ride, donate or volunteer, you’ll be supporting a fun event for a great cause! Find out more on the Gran Fondo website.