Wisconsin Union: Paddling Rentals, Yoga and Group Outdoors Experiences to Begin at Outdoor UW After Summer 2020 Hiatus Due to COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2021

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

PADDLING RENTALS, YOGA AND GROUP OUTDOORS EXPERIENCES TO BEGIN AT OUTDOOR UW AFTER SUMMER 2020 HIATUS DUE TO COVID-19

MADISON – The Outdoor UW docks are back in Lake Mendota, the outdoor recreation equipment is cleaned and ready, and adventures on water and land await with Outdoor UW. 

As of May 31, Outdoor UW, the Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, will begin offering its summer paddling rentals from its Memorial Union service desk. Its summer rental options include tandem kayaks, single kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and eight-person stand-up paddleboards. Customers can begin making reservations on May 26 online, by phone at (608) 262-1630 or by email. 

The Outdoor UW team offers year-round camping, hiking and climbing equipment rentals as well as snowshoe rentals each winter. 

The team recommends that customers make advance reservations but can accommodate reservations made on-site at the Outdoor UW service desk on the lower level of Memorial Union, as capacity allows. 

The docks near the Outdoor UW’s entrance at Memorial Union are only available to Outdoor UW’s customers and the Union’s outdoor recreation clubs, providing customers with access to Lake Mendota to enjoy their paddling equipment from Outdoor UW. In addition, trained outdoor recreation professionals are on-site to help customers of all experience levels enjoy their Outdoor UW experiences. 

The team will begin holding private outdoor group experiences by reservation on June 7. Group experience offerings include group paddling; an adventure on an eight-person stand-up paddleboard, called SUP Squatch; a group meeting on Lake Mendota with a lesson of paddling basics included; paddling games, including team-building opportunities; private introductions to paddling lessons; private yoga classes; and custom outdoor recreation group experiences. 

The team will also host open paddle events, including Family Nights every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. from June 15 to Aug. 24. Family Night includes games, sightseeing and learning paddling skills.

For the health and safety of its customers, the Outdoor UW team inspects, cleans and sanitizes camping gear and paddling equipment upon rental return and uses its lifejackets on a rotating schedule to ensure they are not reused within the same day. All Outdoor UW staff and guests are required to follow Union and campus public health policies. The team will continue to monitor health and safety guidelines and will provide current practices in customers’ confirmation emails. 

Outdoor UW will also host in-person yoga at Memorial Union and stand-up paddleboard yoga classes on Lake Mendota in partnership with University Recreation & Wellbeing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Registration for each class opens 48 hours before the class. Those interested in participating can learn more here. 

The team’s services also include paddle craft storage at Willow Beach and University Bay. Individuals can purchase a seasonal storage space to keep their canoes or kayaks at these locations next to Lake Mendota. Customers can contact Outdoor UW at (608) 262-1630 or by email to learn more about available storage space. 

“We can support customers in many ways that they can enjoy the outdoors, whether someone wants to rent camping equipment for an adventure at one of our state’s beautiful campgrounds or to rent kayaks for an immediate trip on Lake Mendota,” Jill Griffis, outdoor recreation advisor and Hoofer club advisor at Outdoor UW. “No matter the skill or experience level, everyone can enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoors.”

During the summer of 2020, when the team would usually expand its offerings to include paddling rentals, the team’s paddling equipment remained in storage, as the world contended with a pandemic. The team members determined that paddling equipment rentals would not occur that summer out of an abundance of caution and to allow for time to revise paddling equipment health and safety practices in light of COVID-19 for summer 2021.

In September 2020, Memorial Union and Union South opened to UW-Madison students, staff and faculty and remained limited to these members of the campus community until May 10. During this time of limited access, the Outdoor UW team worked together to implement new health and safety practices and offered camping equipment rentals and winter recreation rentals to students, staff and faculty and their guests for off-site use during the 2020-21 academic year. 

The team also continued to advise student and community leaders in the Union’s outdoor recreation clubs, called the Wisconsin Hoofers, as well as provide virtual learning and connection opportunities for the community. 

Those who would like to learn more about Outdoor UW’s services can visit union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/outdoor-uw.  

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About Outdoor UW

Outdoor UW is the Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, offering everything from outdoor recreation equipment rentals to custom group outdoors experiences. The Outdoor UW team also advises six outdoors clubs, which make up the Wisconsin Hoofers, and Hoofer Council, the governing body of the Hoofers. Outdoor UW is part of the Wisconsin Union, which is the UW-Madison Division of Social Education. Learn more about Outdoor UW: union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/outdoor-uw. 

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/outdoor-uw-2021.

WPS Health Insurance selects Welldoc to offer new digital health management solution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Insurance selects Welldoc to offer new digital health management solution

MADISON, Wis.—May 25, 2021—WPS Health Insurance and WPS Health Plan selected Welldoc®, a trailblazer in digital health, to offer a new, comprehensive chronic conditions digital health solution to a pilot group of self-funded employers in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Welldoc’s single platform provides a holistic, evidence-based approach for pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and behavioral health. By leveraging the power of data, AI and clinical science, individuals with chronic conditions receive real-time, personalized digital coaching to self-manage their health and better coordinate with health care providers in meeting their treatment goals.

WPS Health Insurance is one of the largest health benefits providers in Wisconsin and offers health plans to the public and private sectors. WPS is focused on leveraging digital and data-driven approaches to help customers improve their overall health and wellness. Welldoc’s digital health offering will help the pilot participants manage their chronic conditions through meaningful insights and behavioral changes.

“WPS is at the forefront of offering flexible, cost-effective health solutions to their members in the Midwest. Their focus on community-based solutions pairs with Welldoc’s efforts to provide an evidence-based care model that can address gaps in care and reach at-risk populations,” says Welldoc’s Chief Operating Officer, Keith Reynolds. “We are encouraged by WPS’ mission to deliver affordable health care to their members. Our digital health solution will empower WPS members who are managing multiple comorbidities and providers who are working to effectively manage population health.”

“We want our members to take control of their health. The Welldoc app and tailored, real-time feedback will allow people to actively manage their conditions with a trusted partner,” said Jim Baird, Executive Vice President of WPS Health Insurance. “With the great majority of annual health care costs driven by chronic and mental health conditions, we believe the Welldoc platform can make a big impact for our members.”

The new offering will first be available as a pilot to self-funded, employer-provided health plan customers, also known as Administrative Service Only (ASO), and later will be offered to other WPS Health Insurance and WPS Health Plan members.

About Welldoc®

Welldoc® is revolutionizing chronic condition management to help transform lives. BlueStar®, an FDA-cleared digital health solution, guides individuals through the complicated journey of living with diabetes by enabling them to self-manage their conditions and enhancing connections to their health care team. Welldoc streamlines the relationships between payers, employers, and health care systems resources, with the goal of improving population health and reducing costs of chronic care. For more information, visit www.welldoc.com.

About WPS Health Insurance

As one of the largest health benefits providers in the state, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) remains not-for-profit and offers high-quality health plans to the public and private sectors. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., WPS Health Insurance also has offices in Green Bay and Rothschild. With more than 3,700 employees, we’re deeply committed to Wisconsin and its citizens.

WPS Health Insurance offers Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals and groups, third-party administrator services, plus Medicare supplement plans and Medicare prescription drug plans.

WPS Health Insurance is one of the brands under the umbrella of WPS Health Solutions, which offers insurance products through several brands as well as claims processing and benefits administration for U.S. government programs for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Visit the WPS Health Solutions “About” page for more information on our parent company.

About WPS Health Plan

WPS Health Plan, Inc. (WPS Health Plan) is a fresh choice in a crowd of big, impersonal, national health insurance giants. WPS is committed to customers, easy to work with, and as transparent as possible, which helps customers understand their benefits. Based in Green Bay, Wis., WPS Health Plan continues its tradition of Wisconsin-based service and is always looking for ways to make owning and using health insurance easier.

WPS Health Plan offers Health Maintenance Organization and Point-of-Service plans to the group and individual markets in eastern and north-central Wisconsin, plus third-party administrator services.

WPS Health Plan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation and one of the brands under the umbrella of WPS Health Solutions, which offers insurance products through several brands as well as claims processing and benefits administration for U.S. government programs for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Visit the WPS Health Solutions “About” page for more information on our parent company.

Oak Park Place: Memorial Day Free Burger Drive-Up

Wisconsin Union Theater: 2021-22 Concert Series Will Return Sept. 30 With In-Person Performances

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2021

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

2021-22 CONCERT SERIES WILL RETURN SEPT. 30 WITH IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES

MADISON – On Sept. 30, the curtains in Shannon Hall will open to an audience in the Hall’s seats for the first time since they closed on March 12, 2020.

This date will mark the beginning of the Wisconsin Union Theater’s 2021-22 Concert Series, which includes six in-person events. The Theater team anticipates that some performances will include online viewing options.

While the Theater team planned for a return to its performance spaces Shannon Hall and the Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union, it continued to hold events virtually, which provided both performing arts opportunities for patrons to enjoy and financial support for artists, including Wisconsin-based artists through its series Wisconsin Sound.

The 2021-22 Concert Series will include performances by chamber orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.; violinist Gil Shaham with Akira Eguchi on Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Third Coast Percussion + Movement Art Is on Jan. 27, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.; the Brentano String Quartet on Feb. 10, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.; trumpet soloist Pacho Flores with the University of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra conducted by Oriol Sans on March 5, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.; and soprano Renée Fleming on April 30, 2022, at 7 p.m.

Through a collaborative partnership with the Mead Witter School of Music, performances by Pacho Flores and Third Coast Percussion + Movement Art Is will take place at the Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall at the Hamel Music Center. Both artists will also provide educational activities for School of Music students as part of their engagement. All other performances will occur in Shannon Hall.

The Theater team had planned to include Gil Shaham with Akira Eguchi and Renée Fleming in its 2019-20 Concert Series, but COVID-19 cut the season short. The Brentano String Quartet and Renée Fleming events are also rescheduled concerts from the virtual 2020-21 Concert Series season.

“We are looking forward to the feeling when the doors open and music once again fills Shannon Hall,” Wisconsin Union Theater Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “More than ever, we treasure the opportunity to share in-person performing arts experiences with our patrons.”

The Theater will take many health and safety measures, following public health and university guidelines. Specific health and safety practices for events will be announced closer to the re-opening. The team will continue to make health and safety a top priority for audiences, artists, and staff to create a safe, enjoyable theater-going experience.

The Wisconsin Union Theater team anticipates making information about additional 2021-22 season performances and ticket purchases available here in August.

This year marks the Wisconsin Union Theater’s 102nd Concert Series season. Generations of theater-goers have experienced world-class music in Madison, Wis., through this series. Past Concert Series artists include Emanuel Ax, Fritz Kreisler, Marian Anderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Arthur Rubinstein, and Dawn Upshaw.

At the Wisconsin Union Theater, University of Wisconsin-Madison students help select many performances, including Concert Series events, and work with the Theater director to produce programming. These students are part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee, which, along with other WUD committees and clubs, promote and run hundreds of Wisconsin Union events annually.

The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a non-profit organization with a vision of serving as the social heart of UW–Madison, where all belong.

“I want to thank our patrons for their support in the past year of change and separation,” Snodgrass said. “Your gifts and virtual attendance helped us continue to create experiences, support artists, and provide students with unmatched, hands-on learning and leadership opportunities. We are so thankful to our arts-loving community for sticking with us during this difficult time.”

Performances by Shaham, Eguchi and the Brentano String Quartet are part of the David and Kato Perlman Chamber Music series supported by the David and Kato Perlman Chamber Music Fund. The performance by Fleming is supported in part with generous gifts from Bob and Linda Graebner and Stephen Morton. Additional support has been provided by the Mead Witter School of Music, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the Wisconsin Union Theater Endowment Fund.

For more information about the Concert Series, visit union.wisc.edu/concert-series.

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an expansive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is committed to social justice and continues to work towards creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive place for all who engage with the Theater’s programming, events, and activities. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater.

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee is part of the Wisconsin Union’s leadership development program for UW-Madison students and supports the Wisconsin Union Theater’s mission of serving students through the performing arts. By helping to program the Theater’s annual season of performing arts presentations, the students learn about program curation, relationship-building, marketing, communications, budgeting, and production. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/performing-arts.

[Click here to download photos of the Concert Series artists.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/concertseries2021.

WPS Health Solutions prepares for Memorial Day with flag display and ‘A Walk to Remember’

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions prepares for Memorial Day with flag display and ‘A Walk to Remember’

What: WPS Health Solutions has two media opportunities on its Madison/Monona campus in advance of Memorial Day.

Where:
Outside at WPS Health Solutions
1717 W. Broadway, Monona

(Come in main driveway at the traffic signals, Broadway and WPS Drive, and park in the lot on the right.)

When:

• MONDAY, MAY 24 (12-1 p.m.) – The WPS VET Group and other employees will plant 1,000 American flags on the WPS campus in advance of Memorial Day.
• FRIDAY, MAY 28 (12-2 p.m.) – WPS employees and family members will have  “A Walk to Remember” on the campus to honor U.S. military personnel and veterans who have died. Participants can sign a banner with the names of those they wish to remember.

Who:

• WPS Military Affairs Manager Timothy La Sage, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and two-time recipient of the Purple Heart, will be available for interviews to talk about the significance of Memorial Day.

Quote:

“Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. This solemn occasion is a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and defending our country. We will never forget our veterans who have passed. Let’s spend the afternoon reflecting as we walk.” –  WPS Military Affairs Manager Timothy La Sage

Special note about COVID-19 precautions: Please wear face covering/mask and maintain proper physical distancing

About WPS Health Solutions:
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation utilizes “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to our entire enterprise. Within our enterprise, there are three divisions, including Government Health Administrators, Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.