myHR: March 26, 2025

Join the 2025 Models of Excellence Award Celebration

The Penn community will celebrate the honorees’ outstanding efforts and achievements at the Models of Excellence ceremony on April 7, 2025, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Harrison Auditorium at the Penn Museum, followed by a reception from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Penn Museum’s Chinese Rotunda.

President J. Larry Jameson, Provost John L. Jackson, Jr., Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, and Vice President of Human Resources Felicia A. Washington will present the awards on stage. Please register by April 3.

This spring, 52 staff members will receive Models of Excellence Program awards for 2025. The work of these individuals and teams exemplifies the University’s principles and practices.

Register for the Models of Excellence ceremony and reception today!

Penn’s premier campus-wide staff recognition event is a unique opportunity to connect with coworkers from around campus to mark staff achievements in an array of professions.

Learn about the 2025 honorees’ amazing work at www.hr.upenn.edu/models or download the 2025 Models of Excellence Honoree list.

If you have any questions about the program or the awards ceremony, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/models or feel free to contact Karen Kille, Manager, Quality of Work-Life Programs, Human Resources at karener@upenn.edu or (215) 898-7729.

Take Our Children to Work Day Returns on April 24

It’s time for Take Our Children to Work Day again! Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 24, when Penn invites faculty, staff, and postdocs to share their workday with the next generation. This annual event is designed to inspire children and engage with potential future career paths. Through a series of fun and educational activities, children will learn about Penn as a leading employer and renowned institution, while exploring various fields of work.

Advance registration for activities will open on Tuesday, April 1 at 9 a.m. Make sure to sign up early, as activities fill up quickly. Take Our Children to Work Day continues to cater to elementary and middle school children, though children of all ages are welcome. From hands-on projects to engaging educational experiences, there’s something for every young guest. Whether they're interested in robotics, the arts, or learning about cutting-edge research, Take Our Children to Work Day is a chance to spark curiosity and broaden their understanding of the world around them.

Supervisory approval is required for all employees who participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult to all activities. Please note that you may register for as many flexible registration activities as you'd like, but only one special topic activity per employee. Be sure to check out the full list of available activities and plan your day accordingly.

Schools, departments, and groups across Penn are collaborating to offer dozens of developmental activities. Some of the activities for this year include:

• Robots in the University Library – Experience combat robotics firsthand in the battle arena and obstacle course with the 3D-printed robots designed and created by the QuakerBots. Participants will have the exclusive opportunity to navigate a timed obstacle course with a variety of showcased robots or pit the robots against each other in a match. Compete for the fastest time to win a flying drone prize! This session is open to spectators, but only registered participants are guaranteed a spot to control the robot. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
  
• Leadership Through Action with the McNulty Leadership Program at The Wharton School – This interactive session focuses on how individual and team performance resides in action and behavior rather than position. Participants will work in teams to complete a problem-solving activity to better understand the power of teams to accomplish a goal.  Suitable for ages 9-15.
• Hands-On Fun with Simulated Patients at the School of Nursing – This interactive session explores the use of task trainers and manikins as a teaching method in preparing nursing students to care for real patients.  Participants will give injections, clean and pack "wounds," don PPE, visit a patient, listen to heart and lung sounds, feel for pulses, and team up to "treat" the manikin for various illnesses. Most suitable for ages 6-16, but all ages are welcome.
• Building Hope Together: A Day of Discovery at Pennovation Works – Come on down to the Pennovation Works complex to learn about the exciting innovations and research happening here. There will be demonstrations from member companies featuring robots, the Penn Vet Working Dogs, and other fun activities to learn more about Pennovation's start-up companies. Pennovation Center is looking forward to discovering ways innovation can help build hope! A continental breakfast will be provided while pre-registered guests are checking in and signing waivers. Individuals strongly encouraged to arrive on time so as not to miss parts of the experience. Suitable for ages 9-14. 

In addition to these specialized activities, children and their adult guests can enjoy a wide range of attractions around campus, including the Penn Relays, the Penn Museum, getting a Penn KidsCard, ice skating at the Class of 1923 Ice Rink, and much more.

Penn Partners with WebMD for Wellness

Be in the Know is Penn’s annual wellness campaign for all benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs. As part of Be in the Know, eligible participants have access to a wellness platform partner, who administers the campaign and rewards, tracks progress, and offers an array of online health and well-being programs and content.

Starting July 1, 2025, Penn and Be in the Know will welcome its new wellness platform partner, WebMD!

Kick off Be in the Know 2025-2026 with fresh WebMD programs and resources to engage in your health and find the support you need in all areas of your well-being. WebMD is a trusted name in wellness information. They provide research-based resources and a thoughtful, holistic approach to employee health, as well as their easy-to-use platform and mobile app to simplify access and participation.

Knowing that every well-being journey is personal and unique, WebMD offers valuable wellness programs and tools to support your goals and build connections, including Daily Habits, challenges, coaching, community board, and more. The new WebMD platform will also provide an abundance of trusted learning content in multiple formats, such as articles, videos, and podcasts.

Meet WebMD

Stop by the Penn Healthy You table at this year’s Benefits Open Enrollment Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 10am-2pm, in Houston Hall, Bodek Lounge, to meet WebMD representatives and learn more!

For the remainder of the current campaign year, through June 30, 2025, Penn's platform partner will continue to be Personify Health (formerly known as Virgin Pulse.)

We encourage you to stay focused on your health and utilize Be in the Know and Personify Health’s online wellness programs and resources. There are still many opportunities to earn points and up to $300 in Rewards Cash for the 2024-2025 campaign year. Participate in April’s 30x30 Challenge, May’s U.S. National Parks Penn Challenge, monthly healthy habit challenges, and ongoing personal challenges. You can also complete Journeys and Daily Cards on well-being topics, plus track your steps, sleep, and other healthy habits. Join your colleagues at upcoming wellness and work-life events, including specially themed events for Mental Health Awareness Month in May and Employee Health and Wellness Month in June.

Please note that all Personify Health earned Rewards Cash must be spent by June 30, 2025.

• For 2024-2025, Rewards Cash will NOT roll over into the following campaign year or be available on the new WebMD platform launching July 1, 2025.
• If you still need biometric screening credit to unlock earning rewards this year, complete this step as soon as possible (by June 1, 2025 at the latest.) Go to Biometric Screening Options, 2024-2025 on Personify Health’s Programs page for information.
• Redeem your earned rewards on Personify Health’s platform (Rewards page), choosing from gift cards, wellness items from their Rewards Store, or charitable donations. For directions, visit Be in the Know and scroll down to “How to Redeem Rewards Cash.” 

This spring, watch for ongoing announcements about Be in the Know and the platform transition, including deadlines for the current campaign year that ends June 30, 2024, and details on the next 2025-2026 campaign year and WebMD platform launch on July 1, 2025.

Throughout this platform transition, Penn and Be in the Know will continue to champion for your health and well-being through an array of wellness programs and resources, ways to connect with the campus community, and opportunities to thrive and feel your best.

For details and ongoing updates, please visit Be in the Know or the Personify Health platform.

Manage Your Projects Effectively

Effective project management is the cornerstone of success. Whether you’re leading a team or coordinating complex tasks, mastering the art of organization, communication, and execution can elevate your projects to new heights. The Project Management workshop on May 1, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., will equip you with the tools and techniques needed to manage projects with confidence, efficiency, and success.

This seminar, led by Talent and Organizational Development Consultant Sam Sonet, provides a practical overview of the most useful concepts in project leadership and coordination.

“Project management turns ideas into results—without the stress of last-minute scrambling. It’s not just about deadlines and checklists; it’s about making sure everyone is on the same page, resources are used wisely, and roadblocks don’t derail progress,” says Sonet.

Workshop participants will learn how to:

• Identify the key activities in the project life cycle.
• Understand the role of the triple constraint in project management and apply it in determining project scope.
• Construct a project timeline.
• Keep projects on track by managing project risks and effectively using a communication plan.
• Examine helpful tools for tracking timelines and deliverables.
• Capture valuable project lessons and use them to define and improve project management practices within your organization.

Sonet will also cover the role of the project manager, the dynamics of managing a team, creating a transition plan, and tools for celebrating success.

“Project management isn’t about being perfect—it’s about keeping things moving forward in a structured way. Mistakes will happen, and that’s okay. Learn from them, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she adds.

Whether you’re preparing to manage your first major project or looking for new perspectives on collaborating with partners on all levels to achieve outstanding results for your organization, you’ll pick up tools and techniques to pull off your next project successfully.

Enroll in Project Management on Workday Learning today.

More professional development resources are available at www.hr.upenn.edu/learn-grow. 

Healthy Meals: Get Your Greens Quiche

This EatingWell crustless, veggie-packed quiche featuring nutrient-rich collard greens, broccoli, and nutty Gruyère cheese, is perfect for a healthy, make-ahead meal. Protein packed and easy to customize, it's quick and healthy, offering comfort and nourishment in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallots
• 1 1/2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic
• 4 cups finely chopped stemmed collard greens
• 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup whole milk 
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, plus more for garnish
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; swirl to coat. Add 2 tablespoons shallots and 1½ tablespoons garlic; cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 1 minute. Add 4 cups collards and 2 cups broccoli; cook, stirring constantly, until wilted and softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the prepared pie pan.
3. Whisk 6 eggs, 1/4 cup half-and-half, 1/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon fennel, ¼ teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl until smooth. Pour over the vegetables in the pie pan. Evenly sprinkle 1 cup Gruyère over the egg mixture.
4. Bake until set and golden brown around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Slice into 4 portions. Garnish with additional pepper, if desired.

Meet With a Registered Dietitian Today!

• One-on-one, virtual sessions you can schedule at any time that works for you
• 100% covered under many insurance plans
• Available to spouses and dependents
• Fill out the Ramp Health Nutrition Counseling Sign Up Form or call 800-484-7720.

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Did You Know: The 30 x 30 Nature Challenge Returns

Each day in April, Be in the Know wellness campaign participants are encouraged to spend at least 30 minutes outside as part of the University’s 30 x 30 Nature Challenge. This wellness challenge, sponsored by Penn Sustainability and Human Resources, welcomes the whole Penn community to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the beauty of nature while supporting well-being. Track your time April 1 through April 30 to earn points toward Rewards Cash on Penn’s Personify Health wellness partner platform.