This page provides information for UCI staff related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This page is updated as new information becomes available. Please check back often.
The following initiatives are now available to support the wellness needs of our frontline staff at UCI Health. If you have questions regarding any of these initiatives, please email Joshua Macias at jrmacia1@hs.uci.edu.
There are many resources and discounts available to support our frontline workers with dependent and elder care. Please visit this page for information on family care programs, including our partnership with Bright Horizons™, which offers emergency back-up care to UCI employees.
The Non-Congregate Sheltering for California Healthcare Workers Program provides hotel rooms to frontline healthcare workers who are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19. By providing hotel rooms in close proximity to medical facilities, health care workers avoid potentially spreading the virus once leaving their shift by selecting to stay at pre-identified hotel rooms that are provided at no charge or at a discounted rate. Learn more or book: https://covid19.ca.gov/hotel-rooms-for-california-healthcare-workers/
If you are not able to book accommodations through this option, please contact covidhotels@hs.uci.edu to discuss potential options.
The following hotels offer discounted rates to UCI employees:
Sam’s Club associates, healthcare workers and first responders can now shop the club early every Sunday from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Visit the following link to learn more: https://corporate.samsclub.com/member-update-steps-were-taking-in-response-to-covid-19
The Empowered to Make a Difference engagement treat cart is out and about, rounding to different units throughout the week. If you haven’t seen the treat cart in your unit and would like a visit, please contact Josh Macias at jrmacia1@hs.uci.edu or Brad Giafaglione at bgiafagl@hs.uci.edu
Free access to Headspace Plus through 2020 for all licensed and registered nurses, and healthcare professionals with a National Provider Identifier (NPI). Normally $70/year or $13/month, Headspace Plus offers meditation and sleep exercises, as well as movement exercises for body and mind fitness. Meanwhile, Headspace is offering a collection of meditations for all staff that can be listened to anytime – free for everyone – called Weathering the Storm. It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling. Access the collection here: https://www.headspace.com/covid-19
myStrength is a personalized, digital program app that includes interactive activities, in-the-moment coping tools, inspirational resources, and community support. You can track preferences and goals, current emotional states, and ongoing life events to improve your awareness and change behaviors. UC Anthem, Health Net, and Kaiser Members, can download and access the free myStrength app program through your UC employer healthcare provider.
Down Dog is an app that provides a studio-like yoga experience in the comfort of your home. In response to rising COVID-19 cases and school closures, the company is extending a free period for all their apps for university communities and healthcare workers until July 1, 2021. Anyone who signs up with a .edu email will automatically have access until July 1st, 2021. Students, faculty and staff can sign up on their school page. Healthcare workers can sign up on their healthcare page.
Many offers of donations of food and meal cards are being fielded by Human Resources. The HR Engagement team is working on distribution and scheduling for frontline, onsite employees.
HR Wellness has partnered with Morrison to add “pick-up” locations for employees ordering meals. Employees must download Nourish App (Apple and Android compatible) and choose UC Irvine Medical Center as the location. Employees can order and pay for their food from the dining hall and pick up at any of the locations below:
During these challenging times, we recognize that your health and well-being is important and vital to the UCI community, as well as the patients and families you serve. The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute is launching a well-being initiative to provide support services for our extraordinary healthcare providers, nurses, and staff.
The following services are offered to staff and providers free of charge:
Please see below the weekly schedule of offerings. Information can be found here: http://www.wellness.uci.edu/SSIHIWellbeing.pdf
To sign up, complete this registration form. For questions, please email Dina Pagan at dpagano@hs.uci.edu.
All Healthcare and frontline UCI employees are able to receive immediate specialized support when calling the general UCI EAP line at (844) 824-3273.
In addition, the following online resources are available:
Faculty/Staff Support Services is providing an opportunity for UCI Health Staff to connect with Dr. Negar Shekarabi for individual, private and confidential, 30 minute support sessions to assist you as you navigate the current response at UCI Health to COVID-19 and its impact on healthcare professionals.
These times are available for all healthcare staff to connect, get support and allow space for processing reactions and responses to the impact of COVID-19 on work and life. The meetings are private and confidential, and are intended for supportive counseling. Please see information about Faculty/Staff Support Services here: https://whcs.uci.edu/faculty-staff-support-services
To schedule a 30 min session, please click here to see available times. Dr. Shekarabi will follow-up with a Zoom invitation to confirm your meeting.
Electronic toolkit available on our website at https://hr.uci.edu/disaster-relief/engagement.php
Access to information and resources related to COVID-19 via email at covid19@uci.edu; web at https://hr.uci.edu/disaster-relief/corona-virus.php or by phone at (949) 824-9918