1199SEIU Funds

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  • Message From the Executive Director and CEO, Spring 2024

    Message From the Executive Director and CEO, Spring 2024

    Message From the Executive Director and CEO, Spring 2024

    Dear 1199SEIU Members,

    A year can go by in the blink of an eye. That’s how long we’ve been talking about our health journeys together and what a year it has been! It seems like just yesterday when we asked you to tell us why living a healthier life is important to you. So many of you stepped up to share your stories, it motivated us to start our Members’ Voices video series. I have been so personally inspired by you. Part of the reason this conversation means so much to me is because I believe it’s necessary to change the way we think about our health.

    Lately, much of the conversation has turned to self-care and lifestyle medicine as important parts of preventive healthcare. As 1199ers, we haven’t just been talking about it; we have been living it. Like many of you, my journey includes eating healthier foods, moving more, getting enough sleep and managing my stress levels. And most of us agree—it’s not always easy.

    Here at the Benefit Funds, we continue to build partnerships to support you in making the small changes that can make a big difference in your quality of life. In this issue of For Your Benefit, you’ll hear about our nutrition and movement workshops. You’ll also find information about the many other webinars and classes we offer, so you can connect with one another and take those important next steps on your health journeys.

    It seems like just yesterday when we asked you to tell us why living a healthier life is important to you. So many of you stepped up to share your stories, it motivated us to start our Members’ Voices video series. I have been so personally inspired by you.

    I hope you’ll take a moment to read an update about 1199er Sharese Welch, who was featured in the Fall 2023 issue of our magazine. And I know you’ll be inspired by Sofia Espinoza, another 1199er whose love for her family keeps her motivated to care for her own health. We are so grateful to the many members who have come forward to share their time and their stories. And I look forward to hearing from even more of you!

    Finally, I’m really excited to unveil that we now have our own 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds YouTube channel. You can find out about this and so much more inside this For Your Benefit magazine, so I encourage you to check it out!

    In good health,


    Donna Rey, EdD
    Executive Director, 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds
    CEO, 1199SEIU Funds Administrative Operations

    WHY are you taking your health journey?

    Visit members’ voices page to let us know and we’ll send you a limited-edition Health Is the Key t-shirt, created to celebrate our podcast launch!

  • A Message from Dr. Van H. Dunn, Chief Medical Officer, Spring 2024

    A Message from Dr. Van H. Dunn, Chief Medical Officer, Spring 2024

    A Message from Dr. Van H. Dunn, Chief Medical Officer, Spring 2024

    May is High Blood Pressure Education Month, so it’s a good time to talk about it—especially since it affects nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population.* Also known as hypertension, it is sometimes called a silent killer, because you can walk around with no symptoms and no idea that you have it.

    That’s why I recommend you see your healthcare provider regularly to have your blood pressure checked. If your levels are elevated, but it’s detected early, your physician may suggest lifestyle changes to get it under control. But, if you’ve tried that and your pressure is still high, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication.

    If you do start taking medication, it’s important that you do NOT skip doses. The best way to get your blood pressure under control is to take your medication as prescribed and have regular follow-up appointments. The only person who should update your prescription is your healthcare provider. You shouldn’t make any changes on your own. When not treated properly, hypertension can damage your heart, eyes and other organs.

    The good news is that lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help prevent hypertension. Stress can also play a role. And as healthcare workers, stress is something we know all too well. So managing your stress can make a big difference in managing your blood pressure.

    I speak from experience—I’ve been managing my hypertension since medical school.

    I speak from experience—I’ve been managing my hypertension since medical school. I cut out desserts and sugary drinks and lost 80 pounds. But I still routinely see my healthcare provider and monitor my blood pressure regularly to make sure it’s under control. If I can do it, so can you!

    Visit Healthy Hearts page of our Healthy Living Resource Center for more information.

    *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Check out our YouTube channel!

    Check out our YouTube channel!

    Check out our YouTube channel!

    Quick and Weekday Meals

    Looking for some quick dinner inspiration? Check out one of our healthy, mouth-watering cooking demos! Thinking about taking that yoga class, but can’t make it to the gym on time? Tune in and join Foluke for some easy, but powerful stretches. Feeling stressed? We’ve got you. Get some coping strategies from Dr. Karinn Glover or try some deep breathing exercises with Lupe, our 1199 social worker. You can even listen to our Health Is the Key podcast and get motivated with our Members’ Voices videos. There are just so many possibilities on our new YouTube channel! Now you can find all these healthy living videos in one convenient place!

    Explore our playlists and get involved with our 1199SEIU community posts. So, subscribe today, share with your family and friends and come back often. We regularly add new videos created to educate, entertain and inspire you! 

    Check out our YouTube channel
  • 7 ways stress affects your body

    7 ways stress affects your body

    7 ways stress affects your body

    Flu Shot and COVID-19 Booster

    If you’ve ever been on a roller coaster, you’re familiar with the slow tick of the track as you climb the hill to the top for that first plunge. Your heart races with uncertainty and excitement, steadily building until you’re on the brink. Sound familiar? Stress can be a roller coaster, with those same twists and turns and, if we’re not careful, an emotional peak that can have a big impact on our minds and bodies.

    Think stress is just about the mind? Think again. Not only is stress a burden on your mental health, leading to feelings of burnout, anxiety and depression, but stress that’s not dealt with can lead to many physical health problems, including:

    1. High blood pressure
    2. Migraines and tension headaches
    3. Hormonal changes caused by an increase of stress hormones like cortisol
    4. Heart disease
    5. Stroke
    6. Obesity
    7. Diabetes
    The good news is that with the right support, you can reduce or eliminate the effects of stress altogether.

    4 TIPS TO TAME THE BEAST!

    We’ve all felt that slow rise in emotion and pressure that feels inescapable, but it doesn’t have to take you for a ride!

    1. Make time for self-care

    Even when you’re busy, you can still take a moment for yourself to do something you enjoy. Whether it’s sitting down with a book, taking a long shower, going for a walk or enjoying your favorite meal, the options are endless.

    2. Boost your mind-body connection

    While COVID-19 is back on the rise, there’s good news—a new booster is here to help protect you from the latest variants. Even if you’ve been vaccinated or boosted or had the virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend you get the new booster. Speak with your doctor or schedule an appointment with a participating pharmacy.

    3. Get moving

    When you’re stressed, the last thing you may want to do is exercise, but lacing up those sneakers is sure to release stress-busting endorphins. Any movement counts—from yoga to jogging to stretching or marching in place, stress is no match against a good sweat session!

    4. Talk it out

    Sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to. Whether it’s a friend or a professional like a counselor or therapist, reach out if you could use someone to listen and help you troubleshoot the issues that have been weighing on your mind.

    Need help dealing with stress?

    For information and tips, visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center or call the Benefit Funds’ Wellness Member Assistance Program at (646) 473-6900 for a confidential referral.

  • 1199ers success stories: Sharese Welch joined Virta

    1199ers success stories: Sharese Welch joined Virta

    1199ers success stories: Sharese Welch joined Virta

    1199ers success stories: Sharese Welch joined Virta

    Virta
    Sharese has been busy since she was featured in the Fall 2023 For Your Benefit magazine. She changed jobs, becoming a Secretary II at the NYU Orthopedic Center, where she has a greater opportunity to interact with her patients. And that’s not all. After seeing a Benefit Funds email about the Virta program for members living with type 2 diabetes, she decided to give it a try. She’s glad she did. “The toolbox Virta provides made a big difference for me,” she said. They sent her a food scale and glucose and ketone meters. “There is a lot of science behind the program, and the Virta coaches give you the support you need.” Sharese lost 10 pounds in six months and is looking forward to her next A1C screening. “Virta is a great benefit,” she said. “I encourage anyone with diabetes to give it a try!”

  • Expecting? Register for our NEW prenatal webinar!

    Expecting? Register for our NEW prenatal webinar!

    Expecting? Register for our NEW prenatal webinar!

    Quick and Weekday Meals

    Some of the most frequent questions we’ve received from expectant mothers have been about nursing. From formula to breast milk, nursing positions, milk supply and more.

    If you have any questions, please call (646) 473-8962 or email Anissa.Witter@1199Funds.org

  • Bringing you our new NAMI-NYC mental health series!

    Bringing you our new NAMI-NYC mental health series!

    Bringing you our new NAMI-NYC mental health series!

    Bringing you our new NAMI-NYC mental health series

    If you or a loved one need mental health support, but don’t know where to start, the Benefit Funds have partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-NYC) for an interactive online healthy minds series. The series focuses on mental health awareness and provides resources and connections you can rely on. It doesn’t have to be difficult to find good mental health help. Take a look at the schedule and descriptions below and register for a spring workshop today!


  • CVS Caremark is our new prescription benefit manager!

    CVS Caremark is our new prescription benefit manager!

    CVS Caremark is our new prescription benefit manager!

    Image of Quick and Weekday Meals
    CVS caremark logo

    In July, CVS Caremark became our new prescription benefit manager, adding CVS to the network of pharmacies you already enjoy, including Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade. The change provides you with more options to make filling your prescriptions easier.

    And that’s not all. The prescription programs you’ve come to rely on, like The 90-Day Rx Solution for mail order medications and a full and comprehensive list of preferred brands and generic medications, are here to stay.

    cvs pillcap image

    So, don’t forget to use your new Health Benefits ID card next time you fill a prescription!

  • The Amalgamated—Healthy Finances workshops are back!

    The Amalgamated—Healthy Finances workshops are back!

    The Amalgamated—Healthy Finances workshops are back!

    Bringing you our new NAMI-NYC mental health series

    Do you wish you knew more about how to improve your finances? Take the guesswork out and get a fresh start by attending one of our online financial workshops this spring.