October 23, 2009 | Events

Health and Benefits Fair Oct. 28-29

Event to offer seasonal flu shots and latest information on personal health and finance

By Judy Moore

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Seasonal flu shots, information on health and fitness and counseling about Northwestern 2010 health insurance and other benefit plan options will be available Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 at the University's health and benefits fairs.

The 15th Annual Northwestern University Health and Benefits Fair will take place Wednesday, Oct. 28, on the Evanston campus and Thursday, Oct. 29, on the Chicago campus. Northwestern faculty, staff and retirees are encouraged to attend.

The Oct. 28 Health and Benefits Fair in Evanston, also is open to Evanston residents, and will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Louis Room and surrounding area at Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive.

The Oct. 29 Chicago campus event will take place in the Ryan Family Atrium on the first floor of the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, 303 E. Superior St.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois representatives will be on hand to administer seasonal flu shots at a cost of $25 at both venues. Payment must be made on site with a personal check, the exact amount in cash or, for faculty and staff who bring a valid WildCARD, via payroll deduction. Flu shots will be available on the Chicago campus for faculty and staff only. Flu shots will be available on the Evanston campus for faculty and staff as well as for retirees.

Evanston campus (Oct. 28)

Representatives from 50 health-related groups or associations will provide information on healthy cooking, smoking cessation, childcare, exercise and fitness, sports medicine, financial planning and other topics.

Participants will have a chance to ask questions about the University's 2010 health plan and other benefit options from knowledgeable sources. They also can take free yoga and Pilates classes, participate in health and fitness screenings, and obtain free food, healthy eating tips and recipes from nuCuisine.

Evanston participants also will be eligible to win prizes, including an annual Northwestern parking permit, Chicago Bulls tickets, a one-year membership to the Crown Sports Pavilion/Norris Aquatics Center/Combe Tennis Center and an American Airlines domestic round-trip ticket.

Chicago campus (Oct. 29)

The Chicago campus benefits fair will include a drawing for raffle prizes, giveaways from health-related exhibitors and possible vision and other health screenings. Seasonal flu shots -- available to faculty and staff but not to retirees -- will be administered on the mezzanine level overlooking the cafeteria seating area of the Ryan Family Atrium. Counselors will be present at the fair to talk about health care, investment and other benefit options available to Northwestern employees.

Faculty and staff unable to attend the 2009 Health and Benefits Fair can visit the open enrollment Web site at www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits to learn about healthcare, retirement and other benefit options or e-mail their questions to benefits@northwestern.edu.

For more information on the Oct. 28 Evanston fair visit www.fitrec.northwestern.edu/hbf.html. For information on the Chicago fair's seasonal flu shots, visit www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits.