2017

2017 SMART PROGRAMS
Intuitive Sense, Part I

January 25, 2017

The SMART Programs for January and February are a two part series on Emotional Intelligence. Join us for this interactive presentation on cultivation of inner wisdom with mindfulness. 

Vanessa Hurst, author of Engaging Compassion Through Intent and Action, will lead the audience through exploration of creativity, rational thinking, emotions, and how these combine to cultivate how we think.  Vanessa holds a master’s degree in Natural Health, is a frequent facilitator for retreats and workshops and has more than 20 years of experience in contemplative practice and mentoring.  She is the current instructor for tai chi classes provided in collaboration with the School of Medicine’s Being Well initiative and Get Healthy Now.

Intuitive Sense, Part II

February 23, 2017

Please join us for the final section of our two-part series on Intuitive Sense.  This will be an interactive presentation on cultivation of inner wisdom with mindfulness and will build on the tools and concepts learned in Part I.

Vanessa Hurst, author of Engaging Compassion Through Intent and Action, will lead the audience through exploration of creativity, rational thinking, emotions, and how these combine to cultivate how we think.  Vanessa holds a master’s degree in Natural Health, is a frequent facilitator for retreats and workshops and has more than 20 years of experience in contemplative practice and mentoring.  She is the current instructor for tai chi classes provided in collaboration with the School of Medicine’s Being Well initiative and Get Healthy Now.

Effective Business Writing

March 22, 2017

Think learning how to write well is for fourth graders and dusty old books?  Think again!  Even the most seasoned writers will tell you writing and communication is difficult.  When adding in business needs, the quickened pace of email and social media, and a need to constantly be on the move, knowing how to be clear and concise is crucial.  Don’t lose this opportunity to sharpen your writing skills! 

This talk will discuss strategies and resources for stronger, clearer and more effective written communication in the workplace. Throughout the talk, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own writing and on how these strategies and resources might be relevant to them.

This program will be presented by Jessica Newman, assistant director for graduate student writing at the University Writing Center and a doctoral student in the rhetoric and composition program. Jessica holds an MA in language and literacy and an MFA in creative writing.

Bystander Training

March 29, 2017

Picture it: 

While walking to a meeting, you see a young man being insulted and called derogatory names by a group of teenagers.  You are the only one around, and the young man is visibly upset. 

What do you do?

You have noticed that one of your coworkers frequently comments on another coworker’s appearance and weight, to the point where she rarely leaves her desk and never goes to the break room to eat lunch.  Today, as you are making copies, you witness it happening firsthand.

What do you say? 

Stumped?  You’re not alone.  An entire body of research exists about the bystander phenomenon and how these issues, when not addressed, creates a hostile and harsh environment.  To combat these kinds of situations, you need to know what to do.  Come gain the necessary tools to know how to properly act. 

SMART is partnering with the School of Medicine’s Office of Community Engagement and Diversity and the PEACC Center to provide bystander training, presented by Sally Evans, Director of the U of L PEACC Center.

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Training 

June 28, 2017

DID YOU KNOW...?

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24
  • Suicide is the most preventable cause of death
  • Being a “gatekeeper” and knowing the warning signs can be lifesaving

Learn more about suicide warning signs and how to be a “gatekeeper” at the June SMART Program – Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Training.  This program is presented by Tracie Meyer, Cards Suicide, Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Knowledge (SPEAK) Coordinator.   

Staff Listening Forum with Dean Ganzel
August 23, 2017

Recently, Dr. Ganzel shared with me a conversation she had with the Provost and other UofL Deans regarding ways in which to recognize and elevate the sense of value among staff. 

I have monthly meetings with the Committee leaders of SMART, and we are working to assure greater connection with the Staff Senate, including formalizing distribution of Staff Senate meeting minutes so that they are distributed to all SOM staff.

Dr. Ganzel would like to host a staff listening forum to hear from staff on issues impacting work life quality and satisfaction.  
Optimal Aging Lightening Rounds

September 28, 2017

UofL offers a wide variety of opportunities to encourage and practice physical and mindfulness activity.  Many of us are too busy to try everything, so in celebration of Optimal Aging Month, join us for the third annual Optimal Aging Lightening Rounds, our SMART program for September! 

This active and participatory session, provided by the Institute for Sustainable Health & Optimal Aging in partnership with SMART’s Wellness Task Force will feature four interactive presentations on mind, body, spirit, and soul interventions available at UofL that can help you age optimally across your lifespan. 

You will have the chance to sample salsa dancing, KORU mindfulness, chair-based yoga, and Tai Chi in 15 minute increments.  Come see what works for you and how you can make these activities part of your daily habits!

Who Would You Be Without Your Story?

October 24, 2017

Byron Katie, founder of The Work, has one job: to teach people how to end their own suffering. As she guides people through the powerful process of inquiry, they find that their stressful beliefs – about life, other people, or themselves – radically shift and their lives are changed forever. The Work is an astonishingly simple process, accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and requires nothing more than a pen, paper, and an open mind.

People who do The Work as an ongoing practice commonly report:

  • Alleviation of depression: Find resolution, even happiness, in situations that were once debilitating.
  • Decreased stress: Live with less anxiety or fear.
  • Improved relationships: Experience deeper connection and intimacy with your partner, your parents, your children, your friends, and yourself.
  • Reduced anger: Understand what makes you angry and resentful and become reactive less often, with less intensity.
  • Increased mental clarity: Live and work more intelligently and effectively, with integrity.
  • More energy: Experience a new sense of ongoing vigor and well-being.
  • More peace: Discover how to become “a lover of what is.”

Stefani Hodgkins, MBA is a Program Manager in the Department of Radiology, and has been practicing The Work for over three years. She will show us how to utilize The Work to trace unhappiness to its source and deal with it there. 

HR Re-Orientation

December 14, 2017

For many of us, new employee orientation was a lifetime ago, and it can be hard to remember the last time we actually looked at everything included in our benefits package.  Did you know that UofL's benefits package provides support for the development of wills and other legal services?   Did you know that you can receive a discount on certain hardware purchases, including computers?  These are just a few of the benefits you are entitled to and may have forgotten. 

Come find out what other benefits you either forgot about or had no idea existed!  Jenny Beckman and Michaeline Miller from the Benefits department of Human Resources will present our December SMART program Human Resources Re-Orientation to refresh and reorient your benefits knowledge.