The Office of Human Resources

What is cancer? Cancer is a group of many diseases. There are many different types of cancer. Cancer occurs when the human body's production of new cells is too active. Normal adult cells divide only to replace or repair damaged cells. Cancer cells are different because they cannot stop dividing and they spread out of control. Each cancer is named after the part of the body where it starts (for example, breast cancer).

Who gets cancer? No one can predict who will get cancer and who will not. Some cancers run in families. These cancers are called genetic or inherited. Cancer can also be caused by other factors such as the environment (e.g., indoor air quality, such as radon levels, and outdoor air pollution), your lifestyle, and your community conditions (or factors where you live, work, and play) known as the social determinants of health. In some cancers, chemicals in a workplace setting or in the environment may also play a role. Some ways to lower your risk of developing certain cancers include avoiding tobacco, avoiding or drinking less alcohol, and eating a healthy.

Learn more about risk factors for cancer.

How can I reduce my chances of getting cancer? You can lower your chances of getting some cancers by:

• Avoiding tobacco and secondhand smoke. To learn more about ways to quit tobacco and access quitting resources, you can visit the MA Quitline online or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• Protecting your skin from the sun by wearing a hat, long-sleeves, long pants, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Mass in Motion promotes 6 behaviors you can do to eat well and move more here.
• Limiting alcohol use
• Getting vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B. To learn more about the HPV vaccination and why it is important, click here.
• Getting tested for hepatitis C
• Testing your home for radon. To learn more about radon and how to test your home, click here.

Are there tests to see if I have cancer? For some types of cancer, there are screening tests that can help find cancer early when it is most treatable. Screening means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms. Talk to your doctor about which screening tests are right for you.

Screening tests include:

• Mammogram for breast cancer
• Pap test, HPV test, or combination of both for cervical cancer
• At-home stool-based tests and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer, following a discussion between the patient and their doctor about the benefits and potential harms of screening (shared decision making)
• Low dose CT scan for lung cancer (only for people who have a history of heavy smoking, and smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and don’t have any symptoms of lung cancer)

Resources to Remember. 

• KnovaSolutions. Working with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, KnovaSolutions can identify participants through claims data that may indicate the presence of significant health challenges. KnovaSolutions will then reach out to eligible participants via letters and/or phone calls to explain the services they offer and to answer any questions. This is a confidential and voluntary health service provided by an independent team of nurse clinicians, pharmacists, diabetic educators, and medical research librarians.
• KGA. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.  Use KGA, our free and confidential Employee Assistance Program, to connect with a therapist to help process the news and to support a loved one.

• Ensure you and those around you are safe
  • Call Public Safety (781-736-3333) for first aid, help, or there are other hazards
  • Call Occupational Health (781-736-8769) with questions or for additional support
• Notify your supervisor
• Get checked out - please contact your primary care provider or be evaluated by a local urgent care or emergency room
• Complete the accident/injury report. Please use the link to create an accident/injury report. 

Brandeis Contacts

• Public Safety Emergency: (781)736-3333
• Public Safety Non-Emergency: (781)736-5000
• Occupational Health: Suzanne Raj, occhealth@brandeis.edu, (781)736-8769
• Worker's Compensation: Renee Relerford, reneerelerford@brandeis.edu, (781)736-4451
• Environmental Health & Safety: Andrew Finn, afinn@brandeis.edu, (781) 736-4262
• Facilities: Monday-Friday 7 AM- 4:30 PM (781)736-8500. Weekends, Holidays and After Hours (781)736-5000

Local Urgent Care

AFC Urgent Care Waltham: 1030 Main St · (781) 894-6900

Monday - Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Newton-Wellesley Hospital Waltham Walk-In: 9 Hope Ave · (617) 243-5590 Mondays - Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM, Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

PhysicianOne Urgent Care Waltham: 1019 Trapelo Rd · (860) 650-3848 Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM, Weekends and Holidays: 9 AM- 5 PM

Emergency Rooms

Newton-Wellesley Hospital- Main Campus: 2014 Washington St. Newton, MA 02462 · (617) 243-6193.

Other Numbers to Know

• Poisoning or Chemical Exposure Hotline: 1-800-222-1222
• Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure: Wash exposed and seek medical evaluation immediately.
• Injured at Work Quick Sheet Download (pdf)
• Hoja Rápida Sobre las Lesiones en el Trabajo (pdf). 

Brandeis supports its employees with young families. Nursing individuals are offered adequate break times and private spaces to express milk for their babies.

Massachusetts Laws: Nursing At Work

The federal PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act protects all nursing employees, but Massachusetts already has a strong workplace lactation accommodation law. The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (2018) requires employers with six or more employees to provide all breastfeeding employees with reasonable break time and a space (other than a bathroom) to pump. In addition, the law stipulates that the lactation space must include electrical outlets, table, and a place to sit. Read the law: Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2017. 

Dedicated lactation rooms:

• 60 Turner Street 1st floor, space 132-113A
• 51 Sawyer Road 2nd floor, space 160-247
• Goldfarb Library Room 69-41A
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out at the library’s information desk with your Brandeis ID. For reservations, please check the specific Google calendar for the space and book an available time or contact library-lactation@brandeis.edu. You may need to ask for directions after obtaining the key as the room is a little tricky to find. The room can accommodate two individuals at one time. The key should be returned to the information desk after use. The room is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave (for sterilization) with a sink nearby.

• Leo Gerstenzang Library of Science Room 128
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room, contact graduateaffairs@brandeis.edu. The room is located in the science complex through the Student Lounge area and through room 127 accessible with your ID card. Walk through the quiet study area and you will see room 128 on your right. This room can accommodate three people at one time. Kitchen area is next door with access to a refrigerator, microwave (for sterilization) and sink.
• Rabb Graduate Center Room 118
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out with reservations by contacting pannella@brandeis.edu in the English department. The room is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave (for sterilization) and numerous electrical outlets with a sink nearby.

*Individuals must bring their own breast pumps

External Nursing Support Resources

• La Leche League
• Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition

End of Public Health Emergency. The federal government has ended the COVID-19 Public
Health Emergency declaration, meaning COVID-19 surveillance testing, contact tracing and
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are no longer a requirement. In alignment with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Brandeis University has ceased our COVID-19 contact
tracing efforts. Updated May 11, 2023.

COVID Vaccination Recommendations. COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have been updated
to recommend adults ages 65 years and over receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-
19 vaccine dose. Brandeis COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Updated February 28, 2024.

Illness Management. CDC advises that COVID be managed similarly to other viral respiratory
illnesses. Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if
you have symptoms of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV
that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue,
cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. Updated March 1, 2024. 

If you test positive for COVID-19 or believe you have a viral respiratory illness.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.

If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

Special Considerations for Immunocompromised Individuals

We are pleased to announce that starting January 1st Brandeis will be partnering with KGA as our new Employee Assistance Program. KGA offers 24/7 access to a network of experts providing support for mental health, childcare, eldercare, legal, financial issues and more. KGA’s confidential services are available to you and your adult household members, at no cost to you. You do not need to receive benefits through Brandeis to access this resource. This resource is available to all Brandeis employees.

Call 1-800-648-9557or visit the website. 

Log-in password: brandeis 

KGA Overview Video

KGA Summary of Services

Nutrition Coaching

Nutrition Coaching provides Brandeis students, faculty, and staff with a convenient and affordable opportunity to meet their health goals. Brandeis Athletics' nutrition coach is nationally certified through NASM and is prepared to assist you in Weight Loss (losing fat), Weight gain (gaining healthy fat and muscle), Body Recomposition (losing fat and gaining/preserving muscle), and Performance enhancement (improving diet to maximize athletic performance).

Recreational and Social Activities

Brandeis University Staff Advisory Committee sponsors a number of social and recreational activities for Faculty and Staff. 

• Employee Assistance Program
  Contact our employee assistance program (KGA) for free, confidential counseling that is available 24 hours a day, every day. Call 800-648-9557 or visit the website. Login password: brandeis
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline, also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service. They are confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, substance use, and information service, in English and Spanish. They can also be reached via phone at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889.
• NAMI HelpLine, National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. They can also be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
• Finding Mental Health Support in Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) can connect you directly to clinical help, when and where you need it. Even if you’re not sure what kind of help or treatment you may need, they can help guide you. Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year (including holidays).
  • Call or text 833-773-2445
  • Live chat available at: https://www.masshelpline.com/
• Crisis Resources:
  • Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 1-877-870-4673
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial 988
  • EAP, New Horizons: 800-828-6025

• Health Insurance Behavioral Health Service Navigation: Trying to understand your health insurance's Behavioral Health benefits? Most health plans provide coverage for outpatient counseling and inpatient behavioral health services. Learn more about what most health insurance providers in Massachusetts cover:
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield 
  • Medicare
  • Tufts Health Plan 
    
  • United Healthcare
  • Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE)  -- MA

Physical Fitness Resources

• Fitness at Home
• Gosman Sports and Convocation Center
• Group Exercise Classes
• Personal Training 
• Aquatics 

Tufts Health Plan Fitness Reimbursement Program

Faculty, staff, and postdocs enrolled in a Tufts health plan are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $150 per family, per benefit year for fitness center membership fees and/or exercise classes. Tufts Health Plan Member Fitness Rebate Form 

The University is committed to supporting our staff with comprehensive benefits, programs and
services. We recognize that there may be times when a staff member experiences a significant and
unexpected personal emergency that creates a financial burden or crisis. To assist staff in these cases, the University offers eligible staff an emergency loan program.

The program is designed to provide a loan to the staff member to help cover the costs of the emergencies when they take place. The details of the program include:

Eligibility:

• All benefits eligible staff with at least 6 months of continuous service.

Program Structure:

• One interest free loan request per year.
• Payment terms - 12 months.
• Loan agreement - repayment via payroll. Up to amount - $5,000 (based on need).
• Loan must be paid in full if termination occurs prior to full repayment. 
• Approval of an emergency loan is not guaranteed and is subject to the reasons for the request and/or the funds available in the program.

Examples of unexpected personal emergencies may include:

• Fire or natural disaster to the employee’s residence.
• A medical emergency not covered by medical insurance.
• The costs associated with an unanticipated family emergency (death; parent, spouse or child stranded out of state due to a non-self-directed event).
• Domestic emergency (domestic violence, incarceration of a custodial child, court-mandated change in custody of a child).
• Unexpected and significant repairs of an employee’s vehicle, if the vehicle is used as the primary mode of transportation to work.
• Impending eviction from one's residence through no flagrant fault of the employee.

Religious services

Religious services are held throughout the year at the Berlin (Jewish), Bethlehem (Catholic) and Harlan (Protestant) chapels as well as the Dharmic prayer and meditation space and Muslim prayer space on campus. Schedules and more information are available at the Center for Spiritual Life website.

• Vaccination Clinics

• CPR, Stop the Bleed, & Overdose Prevention Training 
• Emergency Preparedness
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Drug-free and Alcohol free Workplace
• Smoking
• Workplace Violence Prevention and Workplace Conduct
• Prevent Heat Illness at Work 
• Prevenir las Enfermedades Relacionadas con el Calor
• Occupational Health and Safety Trainings 

Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them.

An ergonomic assessment is an assessment of a workstation to ensure correct working postures and workstation set-up. A good ergonomic assessment is done to reduce uncomfortable postures, repetitive tasks, and straining of the body.

• Request WorkSpace Ergonomic Evaluation

• OSHA Computer Workstation Self-evaluation Tool 

• Arthritis 
• Back Pain 
• Dental Care 
• Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccinations
• Sleep
• Understanding Blood Sugar and Diabetes