Author: Meredith Muckerman

[August 31] International Overdose Awareness Day Resource Fair

RSR’s Employee Health & Well-Being team will observe International Overdose Awareness Day by offering a free resource fair for the George Mason community in the Johnson Center (dining area kiosks) from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on August 31. The EHW team will share educational materials, have medical and emergency management professionals on-site to answer questions, and hand out free Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips (courtesy of the Virginia Department of Health). EHW also continues to offer routine opioid overdose response training (where they also provide Narcan and test strips while supplies last), in addition to other courses like CPR, first aid, stop the bleed, and active threat training. More info at rsr.gmu.edu/training – just search by course title (open to students, faculty, and staff).

Date and Time: August 31, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Location: Johnson Center, dining area kiosks (close to Panera)

Registration: There is no pre-registration for this event. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Staying Safe in Extreme Heat

In response to the recent extreme heat we have been experiencing in Northern Virginia and across the United States, we encourage everyone in the George Mason community to stay informed and follow essential heat safety guidelines to protect their well-being in high temperatures.

Heat Safety Tips:

Limit time in the sun. Stay indoors, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the most intense.
Wear sunscreen. Use broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
Stay hydrated. Carry a reusable water bottle and drink frequently, even if you’re not thirsty. Fill up your water bottle at refill stations across campus.
Dress for the heat. Wear light colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Use a hat and sunglasses for added sun protection.
Take breaks. Schedule regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to cool off.
Watch for signs of heat-related illness. If you must work outside during extreme heat, designate a buddy and check in with them periodically to catch signs of heat-related illness early enough to intervene. Learn more about signs and symptoms and recommended first aid for conditions like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and more via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.
Check weather alerts. Stay informed about heat advisories or extreme weather warnings through local news or through the Mason Alert Emergency Notification System.

For more heat safety tips and resources, visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat and be sure to register for Mason Alert emergency notifications at https://ready.gmu.edu/masonalert

[April 29] National Fentanyl Awareness Day Resource Fair

RSR’s Employee Health & Well-Being team will be observing National Fentanyl Awareness Day this April 29 with a free resource fair for our community in the Johnson Center (dining area kiosks) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The EHW team will share educational materials, have medical and emergency management professionals on-site to answer questions, and hand out free Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips (courtesy of the Virginia Department of Health). EHW also continues to offer routine opioid overdose response training (where they also provide Narcan and test strips while supplies last), in addition to other courses like CPR, first aid, stop the bleed, and active threat training. More info at rsr.gmu.edu/training – just search by course title (open to students, faculty, and staff).

Date and Time: April 29, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Johnson Center, dining area kiosks (close to Panera)

Registration: There is no pre-registration for this event. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

[April 14] Spring into Well-Being Annual Vaccine Clinic

Join RSR-Employee Health & Well-Being for the annual Spring into Well-Being vaccine clinic, open to all employees of George Mason University, and their family members ages 18 and older with insurance that allows pharmacy vaccination by Giant (e.g., Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, and others). This year’s clinic offers a range of routine vaccines to help keep you, your family, and our community protected.

Date and Time: April 14, 10am-2pm

Location: Fairfax, Population Health Center

Appointments (Required): Register Here

Available Routine vaccines:

MMR (measles booster)
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough)
Pneumonia
Shingles

Planning to travel this summer?

If you have international travel coming up, you may need additional vaccines depending on your destination. The following travel vaccines are also available by request, simply indicate your interest when you register and we will follow up to confirm availability:

Polio booster
Hepatitis A
Meningitis
Typhoid

Not sure what you need? Talk to your doctor or visit the CDC Traveler’s Health page to find destination-specific vaccine recommendations.

[March 10] Prepare for the 2026 Annual Tornado Drill

George Mason University will conduct its Annual Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 10, at 9:45 a.m. As part of this exercise, a notification will be distributed through Mason Alert by email and text message. This drill gives the university community an opportunity to practice tornado and severe weather response procedures.

Severe weather events, like tornados, present a recurring and potentially significant risk to university operations, personnel, students, and property. In the Northern Virginia region, hazardous weather most frequently occurs between April and October, though it can develop at any time of year. These events can intensify quickly and may require immediate protective action. Preparation ahead of time helps reduce risk, protect life and property, and support continuity of operations.

The purpose of the drill is to reinforce protective actions and strengthen campus-wide readiness. During a tornado warning, individuals should move indoors to the nearest hardened structure, use stairs to reach the lowest level, and avoid elevators. Shelter in an interior space with few or no windows and remain there until the warning has expired. Reviewing these steps in advance supports faster and more confident decision-making during an actual emergency.

The Risk, Safety and Resilience Tornado and Severe Weather Guide provides detailed information about severe weather terminology, including the difference between watches and warnings, as well as response procedures and shelter guidance. The guide also outlines lightning safety protocols, contingency planning considerations, and preparedness recommendations for both campus and home.

To ensure you receive the drill notification, confirm that your Mason Alert preferences are current and that text message alerts are enabled. Mason Alert is the primary method used to communicate urgent weather information as well as other emergency situations to the university community.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Your participation in the Annual Tornado Drill helps strengthen our collective readiness and supports a safer campus environment.

Meet the Mason Nation: Gregg Black

Laboratory Safety Awareness Week: Battery Safety

February 9–13 is Lab Safety Awareness Week, a time to highlight our shared commitment to maintaining safe research and teaching laboratories across campus. The week focuses on university laboratory safety initiatives and on preventing lab accidents and incidents through awareness, training, and good safety practices.

This year, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is emphasizing battery safety. EHS has created this one-page resource with practical tips for working safely with batteries on campus, as well as an overview of our new Battery Guide. The guide outlines university policies and expectations for working with batteries in both research and teaching spaces and is intended to support safe, consistent battery use across laboratories.

In addition, EHS has recently published a 3D Printing Guide, which applies to all 3D printing activities on campus. These and other safety guides can be found on the EHS website.

We encourage you to review these resources, share them with your research teams and students, and take this opportunity during Lab Safety Awareness Week to reinforce safe laboratory practices.

[February 26] A Heart to Heart about the Mediterranean Diet: Heart-smart eating at work and home

[February 10th and 26th] Complementary Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, & Glucose Screenings

[Ongoing] Well-Body Screenings

Get a quick, non-invasive body composition scan with personalized results, a complimentary blood pressure check, and a consultation with a medical professional. Learn more about your body’s fat, muscle, water balance, and overall health. Limited appointments are available monthly, open to George Mason faculty and staff (including wage, student wage, and adjunct faculty). Download our flyer to learn more.

Upcoming Dates

Note: Due to very high demand, registration will open 14 days in advance of the scheduled date(s) below.

February 3, 2026
February 24, 2026
March 5, 2026
March 17, 2026
April 9, 2026
April 21, 2026
May 5, 2026

Registration

Due to very high demand, registration will open 14 days in advance of the scheduled date(s) above. To register, click here. For questions, please contact Employee Health and Well-Being at [email protected], or by phone 703-993-6001.