myHR: June 17, 2026

Be in the Know Becomes Penn Healthy You

Penn Human Resources is excited to share an important update to the University’s wellness program – one that brings a fresh identity while continuing the same trusted support you know and value. 

Welcome to Penn Healthy You – Where Wellness Begins.

As part of our continued efforts to support the health and well-being of faculty, staff, and postdocs, Penn’s wellness program (currently known as Be in the Know) will be rebranded as Penn Healthy You starting July 1. While the name is changing, everything you appreciate about the program remains the same – from its comprehensive resources to its healthy rewards. This rebrand reflects a renewed focus on your goals, your health, and your connection to the Penn community. Penn Healthy You is designed to empower you to continue taking charge of your well-being in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and engaging.

Current Campaign Year Reminder

As we look ahead to Penn Healthy You, remember that the 2025–2026 Be in the Know wellness campaign ends June 30, but there’s still time to participate and earn rewards.

Take advantage of remaining opportunities to complete healthy activities, earn points, and receive up to $300 in cash rewards. To earn rewards, you must be enrolled on the WebMD platform. Just visit WebMD online or download the “Wellness At Your Side” mobile app and enter connection code: Penn.

These final weeks are a great opportunity to finish strong and get ready to transition into Penn Healthy You and the 2026-2027 wellness campaign year.

What You Can Expect

With Penn Healthy You, benefits-eligible staff, faculty, and postdocs will continue to have access to an array of programs, tools, and opportunities to support your overall wellness. Explore Penn Healthy You offerings, including Resources, Rewards, and Partnerships – all tailored to support your wellness journey and strengthen our vibrant campus community.

Resources That Mean the Most to You

• Comprehensive Resources. Access a range of offerings that support your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. This includes biometric screenings, preventive care options, nutrition counseling, wellness events, and more—all designed to help you thrive.
• Digital Wellness Platform. Powered by WebMD, the Penn Healthy You platform provides additional personalized tools like the health assessment, health coaching, activity tracking, digital behavior change tools, RethinkCare videos, Content Hub, and interactive quarterly challenges—all available on desktop or through the Wellness At Your Side mobile app.
• Expanded Opportunities. From new fitness center discounts to specialized programs like smoking cessation and financial wellness events, you’ll find expanded ways to engage with your health and well-being.

Earn Rewards, Prioritize Your Health

One of the hallmarks of the program remains its simplified rewards structure. With Penn Healthy You Rewards, you can:

• Receive a $50 cash reward for every 1,000 points you earn through eligible wellness activities. All rewards are added to your paycheck and paid on a monthly basis, less applicable payroll taxes.
• Earn up to $300 in cash rewards annually for reaching 6,000 total points.
• Achieve VIP status for reaching 9,000 points and enjoy special recognition and perks.

Activities include everything from preventive health visits and wellness events to tracking steps, completing challenges, and engaging with digital tools. It’s a flexible system designed to meet you where you are.

Strengthening Community Through Wellness Partnerships

Penn Healthy You is more than a program—it’s a community. This year, we’re expanding partnership opportunities to connect, collaborate, and support well-being across the University:

• Wellness Champions Network. Volunteer to join a network of wellness advocates to help promote healthy lifestyles and work environments. Applications for the 2026-2027 year will be available in late July with a network start date in September.
• Penn Healthy You Teams Channel. Stay informed, motivated, and connected through a dedicated hub for wellness updates and engagement. Watch for details to join, available in early July.

Together, these efforts help build a culture where wellness is shared, supported, and celebrated.

Penn Healthy You – Where Wellness Begins!

The transition to Penn Healthy You marks an exciting evolution that keeps everything you value while bringing a renewed focus on personalization, connection, and engagement.

Getting started with Penn Healthy You is simple. To learn more about available Resources, Rewards, and Partnerships, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/pennhealthyyou.

To access additional online resources and earn up to $300 in cash rewards, register on the Penn Healthy You platform, powered by WebMD. Stay engaged using the platform or download the Wellness At Your Side app (connection code: Penn). Start exploring programs, tools, and activities, tracking your progress on WebMD, and earning rewards.

Whether you’re wrapping up this year’s campaign or preparing for the new Penn Healthy You program launch on July 1, now is the perfect time to prioritize your well-being.

Time for Men’s Health

During Men’s Health Month and Penn’s Health and Wellness Month, we’d like to call attention to the University’s resources geared toward men’s health and well-being. It’s well known that women tend to outlive men, but recent research shows that the gender lifespan gap is growing. A Cleveland Clinic poll shows that while U.S. men prioritize healthy lifestyles, nearly half of men surveyed did not attend annual wellness visits.

According to a 2024 WebMD One article, “As men age, they tend to start taking their health more seriously, and that’s a trend that needs to change, experts say. Younger men, many of whom say they don’t have a primary care doctor or have never had their blood pressure, cholesterol, or weight checked, need to start getting engaged earlier.”

It’s time to join forces to move health trends in a positive direction by supporting the men in our community to take charge of their wellness— body and mind.

Keep It Simple

These basic tips from Health Advocate are reminders of common-sense actions that can be easy to let slide when you’re busy.

Visit your doctor

• Schedule a routine check-up. This can help you monitor your health and catch potential concerns early.
• Talk to your doctor about what screenings you might need based on your family health, health history, and age. Ask about prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer screening recommendations.

Take care of your mental health

• Talk to a counselor. If you feel stressed, depressed, or anxious, you’re not alone. Seeking help for these common issues is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Make time to connect with others. Pursue a new hobby by joining a class or group or join a local sports team.

Exercise and eat healthy

• Make exercise a habit by doing activities like walking, swimming, or biking for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Eat healthy meals that have lean protein (chicken or fish), vegetables (broccoli or spinach), and whole grains (brown rice or quinoa). Drink water instead of energy drinks or soda.

Tap in to Trusted Resources

Social media sometimes pushes wild and dubious fitness claims. It’s easy to start searching for an exercise video and wind up in a sinkhole of pseudoscience. Skip the junk and log into Penn’s resources, like WebMD ONE and Penn Cobalt, for up-to-date information gathered and reviewed by health care professionals.

To discover men’s health-related media, log in to Penn’s WebMD platform, then go to the menu to select Content Hub. From there, enter Men’s Health in the search to find guidance on a range of topics.

The University also gives you access to a library of self-directed digital resources for your emotional and mental well-being, as well as virtual group sessions with specialists and HUP chaplains. Just log in to Penn Cobalt with your PennKey.

Special Post-Father’s Day Penn Cobalt Session

Penn Cobalt is hosting Fatherhood and Family Wellbeing on Monday, June 22, at 12:30 p.m. This live virtual session covers the important role that fathers play in their children's lives and the ways in which their presence supports emotional well-being for the whole family.

Facing Addiction

As part of Men's Health Month, it's important to recognize that addiction remains a significant health challenge for men in the United States. Though addiction is a serious disease, effective treatments are available. Whether someone is exploring recovery for the first time or seeking support for a loved one, Penn’s resources can help.

Penn’s EAP provides these sources for substance abuse treatment information and support:

• The Addiction Care Navigator is a confidential, stigma-free digital tool that helps employees and their families:
• Evaluate substance use risk through a clinically validated, anonymous assessment.
• Receive a personalized action plan with treatment options tailored to their needs.
• Connect with licensed Addiction Care Coaches, master’s-level clinicians trained in SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment).
• The Addiction Toolkit is a curated collection of tip sheets, videos, and exercises to support employees and their families on the recovery journey.
• For in-the-moment support, reach out to a licensed clinician by phone at 1-888-503-2380 any time of the day or night for immediate, confidential guidance, or schedule an intake session with a counselor using Penn Cobalt. 
  

For more resources, visit the Wellness & Work-life pages.

Stay Comfortable When Summer Heats Up

When temperatures rise, staying cool isn’t just about comfort—it’s also essential for your health and well-being. Whether you’re working, traveling, or enjoying time outdoors, a few simple strategies can help you stay safe, energized, and feeling your best all summer long.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Your body loses more fluids in the heat, even if you’re not sweating heavily. Keep a water bottle within reach and sip throughout the day. If you’re active or spending extended time outside, drinks with electrolytes can help replace the fluids your body loses through sweat.

Eat for the heat. Heavy meals can make you feel more sluggish. Lighter foods—like fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and smaller meals spaced throughout the day—are often easier to tolerate when temperatures rise. Foods with high water content, such as watermelon or cucumbers, can also help you stay hydrated.

Dress for the weather. What you wear can make a big difference. Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton or linen helps air move around your body and allows sweat to evaporate more easily. Lighter colors also reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.

Protect your skin. Sun protection is essential even on partly cloudy days. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and don’t forget sunglasses. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.

Plan around the heat. Try to schedule outdoor activities for early morning or evening, when it’s cooler. If you need to be outside during peak hours, take frequent breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned spaces.

Pace your activity. Heat puts extra stress on your body, so it’s important to slow down when needed. Take breaks more often than usual, avoid intense exercise during peak heat, and avoid pushing through fatigue. Your body works harder to cool itself in high temperatures, even during routine tasks.

Keep your space cool. At home or work, use fans, close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day, and use air conditioning when available. Small changes in airflow and blocking sunlight through windows can noticeably reduce indoor temperatures.

Cool down quickly. If you start feeling overheated, small actions like these can help: Rinse wrists with cool water, take a cool shower, or use a damp cloth on your neck. These can help lower your body temperature while you rest.

Listen to your body. Fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and nausea can all be signs of heat-related illness. If you notice these symptoms, move to a cooler place, hydrate, and rest. Don’t ignore what your body is telling you. Taking early action can help prevent symptoms from worsening.

By taking a few simple precautions—staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and pacing yourself—you can enjoy everything summer has to offer while protecting your health. A little planning goes a long way in helping you stay comfortable and safe, even on the hottest days.

For more hot wellness and safety tips, visit the Health Advocate Blog. You can also contact Health Advocate for assistance with navigating the healthcare system. Simply dial 1-866-799-2329 or email answers@HealthAdvocate.com

This article first appeared in the Health Advocate Blog on June 6, 2026. It was reprinted with permission from Health Advocate.

Updating Your Beneficiaries: A Quick Guide

As one fiscal year wraps up and another begins, it makes sense to take stock of your Penn life insurance and retirement plan beneficiary designations to ensure you’re ready for the range of life changes that come with the passage of time.

Retain control over how your insurance and benefits are distributed by properly designating your beneficiaries now. This avoids any uncertainty regarding how and to whom your assets should be directed, avoiding the delays, inconveniences, and uncertainties involved in probate proceedings.

Retirement plans and life insurance require separate beneficiary designations. Naming a beneficiary for one does not carry over to the other. Fortunately, updating both is simple through Workday@Penn and TIAA.org. However, the process is simple using the Workday@Penn portal and the TIAA.org login for Penn faculty and staff.

How to Update Your Life Insurance Beneficiary

You may update your life insurance beneficiary at any time using the Workday@Penn portal. It takes no more than a few minutes. If you haven’t yet selected a life insurance beneficiary or need to update an existing designation, log in to Workday and follow the instructions on page 4 of the Workday@Penn Manage, View, and Change Your Benefits tip sheet. 

If you have questions about updating your life insurance beneficiary designations in Workday or need assistance, you can also call the Penn Benefits Solution Center powered by Health Advocate at 866-799-2239, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. 

How to Update Your Retirement Plan Beneficiary

To update your retirement plan beneficiary, log in to TIAA.org to see your account summary.*

• Select the Profile link at the top of the screen.
• Select Manage beneficiaries from the quick links in the drop-down menu.
• Under Manage your beneficiaries, select the Beneficiaries tab.
• To edit or remove a beneficiary, select their name.

Note that you must make beneficiary designations for each contract under each of the three plans: Basic, Matching, and Supplemental. Any contracts without a beneficiary designation will default to your estate.

If you need help updating your retirement plan beneficiaries, please contact the TIAA Retirement Call Center at 877-736-6738. 

For more details about updating beneficiaries for your retirement plans, visit the Designating Your Beneficiaries web page.

*Benefit service providers may revise their website occasionally, so these steps could change. If you need help, please contact the service providers listed above.

Healthy Meals: Marinated Grilled Vegetable Kebabs

Fire up your grill for these amazing marinated vegetable kebabs, brought to you by EatingWell. This easy recipe threads juicy cherry tomatoes, earthy mushrooms, crisp zucchini slices, and sharp red onion onto skewers for the ultimate summer side dish. Tossed in a delectable marinade infused with minced garlic and Italian seasoning, these colorful skewers are a smoky, flavorful dish perfect for your next backyard barbecue.

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients

• 1/4-cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4-cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2-teaspoon ground pepper
• 16 cherry tomatoes
• 12 medium mushrooms
• 1 medium zucchini (8 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 4 (1/2-inch) slices red onion

Directions

1. Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic cloves, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and onion slices and toss well to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
2. Preheat grill to medium. Remove the onions from the marinade and cut into quarters. Thread the vegetables onto eight 8-inch skewers. Grill, turning once, until tender, 12 to 15 minutes total. Drizzle with the remaining marinade, 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.

Did You Know: Benefits Extras and Penn Deals

Benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs can access money-saving Penn Benefits Extras like pet health discounts, pet insurance, identity theft protection, and purchase financing throughout the year. You can also take advantage of a wide range of discounts through YouDecide at Penn, where you’ll find deals on everything from auto insurance to travel. Start saving now!