Staff members turn out in large numbers to receive information on health and life insurance, retirement planning, wellness programs, and more.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Benefits Fair on Oct. 28 was a bustling hub of activity and engagement, bringing UMB and other state employees together at the SMC Campus Center with a wealth of resources and information.
Emily Winkler, MS, benefits manager, Human Resource Services (HRS), and the event’s organizer, was thrilled with the robust turnout.
“This is our first in-person Benefits Fair since the COVID-19 pandemic, so I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “But it’s been really great seeing everyone in one place, learning and connecting. The vendors are so thankful, and our employees are getting the answers they need.”
At the fair, employees could check out everything from health and life insurance to retirement planning and URecFit and Wellness programs. Some UMB employees had the opportunity to explore their health insurance options for 2025, gaining insights into the features and costs of the available plans to support informed decision-making. Attendees also could access valuable resources, collect informational brochures, and participate in on-site biometric screenings. The event also included a few fun perks to keep the atmosphere lively and engaging.
Latarsha Lewis, a representative from the state of Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Benefits Division, said that there was a steady crowd from the event’s opening at 10 a.m. Employees approached her with questions about changes effective in January, wellness discounts, and pharmacy options through MedImpact, the state’s new prescription drugs provider.
"It’s been busy, but it’s great energy,” Lewis said, adding that she appreciated the chance to address such a variety of inquiries.
For some attendees, like Tanya Pinkney of the Maryland Department of Human Services, it was their first experience at a benefits fair.
“It’s a lot of information to take in, but it’s wonderful,” she said, noting that the event’s setup made it easy to explore her new options and proactively manage her health care. Similarly, Kevin Gayles, postal services processor, attended to explore insurance choices, finding all the information he needed to make an informed decision during open enrollment.
Vendor Bill Rogers of UnitedHealthcare highlighted the value of in-person interactions.
“Today’s pace has been great, and I think the smoothies might be helping,” he said with a smile. Rogers and his colleagues answered questions about the differences among health insurance vendors, giving employees direct insights into plan options from Kaiser Permanente, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and UnitedHealthcare.
For Ayamba Ayuk-Brown, MBA, director of business operations at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the fair provided a convenient way to stay informed about benefit changes. “It’s so much easier than searching online,” she said, adding that she appreciated the open dialogue and transparency between vendors and employees.
Newcomers like Birjoo Vaishnav, PhD, and longtime staff members like Kofi Owusu-Antwi, MD, both assistant professors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, valued the fair’s opportunity to connect face-to-face with representatives.
“It’s been so helpful to see everything in one place,” Owusu-Antwi said.
By the event’s end, Winkler’s vision for a dynamic, interactive, and informative Benefits Fair had come to life. With raffle prizes, smoothies, and a vibrant atmosphere, the event empowered UMB employees to navigate their benefits with confidence.
Open enrollment for employees who wish to enroll, cancel, or make changes to their state health benefits continues through Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. (with updates becoming effective Jan. 1, 2025). Go to HRS’ Open Enrollment webpage for more details about 2025 changes, rates, resources, and information on how to review or change your benefits choices through SPS Workday.