DW Admin – Page 12 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

A Love Letter to Dianne Dorsett

DW Admin on January 11, 2020

Dear Dianne,

You were the first team member employed by Methodist Healthcare Ministries — the same year this organization began its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.” Your eyes have seen so much through the years. You were there when Methodist Hospital became the Methodist Healthcare System, organized through a new partnership with HCA Healthcare, in 1995. For the past 25 years, you have devoted your time, talents and treasures to fulfilling the mission and vision of this organization. Dianne, you have played a critical role in developing and implementing the processes and procedures that have enabled us to give back millions of dollars in healthcare services in 74 counties across South Texas.

From the beginning, you have served in a leadership role, helping shape the future of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. You first served as the Director of Administrative Services and even stepped-in as interim Director of Human Resources, then later became the Director of Board and Public Relations, and most currently, the Board Liaison.

In your role, as the leader in public relations and communications, you built the department from the ground up. You pioneered the department’s role in establishing effective strategic communications, inside and outside the walls of the organization. You were also the driving force in creating strong and lasting relationships with the news media. You are responsible for paving the way for future communicators whose careers have led them here to further the mission of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. You have crafted the first stories ever told on how people’s lives have changed for the better because of this organization’s dedication to humanity. You have planted seeds that will continue to grow, as we carry on in spreading the good news about this organization’s commitment to healthcare for the underserved. Because of you, our story has beautifully been told and will continue to be echoed in the airwaves of newscasts, digital and print publications, and social media feeds.

As the board liaison, you have been the person most directly responsible for connecting our board members to the senior leadership team. You have been an invaluable resource that keeps the board organized and have supported them as they carry out our mission. And, you take tremendous pride in making sure that our organization is recognized accurately and responsibly for the good work done for those we are passionately and dedicated to serving.

Your selfless commitment to being of service to others embodies a kind spirit and nurturing soul. Your passion for mentoring, leading, connecting, and faithfully answering the call to ministry by bringing the words of John Wesley to life in your daily walk: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can,” is evident in all you do. You have served as an extraordinary ambassador for Methodist Healthcare Ministries and have helped make this organization become a beacon of hope for those who need us the most.There’s no doubt that you will leave a legacy of integrity, commitment, and passion, for generations to come. You have definitely left your mark of excellence across this organization, and beyond.

God placed you here to bless others, as He has graciously blessed us with you. Thank you for faithfully serving and leading us into this new decade. You have helped build a strong foundation that will remain firm for years. Thank you for loving God so much and sharing His love in all you do for humanity. You are our champion, historian, connector, servant-leader, friend, and sister-in-Christ.

We will miss you. We love you!

—Your Methodist Healthcare Ministries family

Legislative Update, December 26

DW Admin on December 26, 2019

In this issue:

Federal Updates

Appeals Court Rules ACA Mandates Unconstitutional
House Passes Healthcare Provisions in Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act
House Passes Legislation to Lower Drug Pricing
House Energy & Commerce Committee Pushes to Extend Coverage for Moms

State Updates

Texas House and Senate Release Interim Charges
House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs
HHS Releases Blueprint for a Healthy Texas
New Report Shows High Poverty Rates for Children in Webb County
RGV Equal Voice Network Hosts Access to Specialty Care Summit

Upcoming Hearings

Upcoming Events

View our 2019 Legislative Outcomes & Analyses

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

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Federal Updates

Appeals Court Rules ACA Mandates Unconstitutional

Since its inception in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has sought to address gaps in the health coverage system by making it more accessible to low-income individuals and adding key provisions that keep children covered longer and guarantee coverage for those with preexisting conditions, just to name a few. On Dec. 18, a federal appeals court in New Orleans struck down a major part of the Affordable Care Act, a decision that could jeopardize health insurance for millions of Americans. The court, in a 2-to-1 decision, ruled that the ACA’s individual mandate provision is unconstitutional, but punted on deciding whether the rest of the landmark healthcare law should be tossed out. Rather than strike down the entire law, the appeals court sent the case back to district court for additional analysis on whether the individual mandate can be severed from the rest of the statute. For now, it’s important that consumers know they are not affected by the court’s ruling this past week.

The case is expected to progress to the Supreme Court, which previously upheld the ACA in a narrowly divided 2012 ruling. The requirement for coverage, often referred to as an individual mandate, was inserted into the law to provide insurers a wide pool of customers since they were now required to cover people with chronic medical conditions. The impact of this healthcare repeal lawsuit could be devastating to many Texans. If courts move to strike down the ACA, roughly 1.7 millionTexans would stand to lose their healthcare coverage.

House Passes Healthcare Provisions in Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act

On Dec. 17, House lawmakers voted 297-120 in favor of H.R.1865 “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020,” that appropriates $540.4 billion in discretionary funds to federal agencies and programs. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Senate must approve the legislation before the Dec. 20 funding deadline to prevent a government shutdown.

This governmentwide spending package is covered by eight appropriation bills for fiscal year 2020 and would include increasing funding for numerous programs and agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and medication-assisted treatment programs. The largest healthcare appropriation made under H.R. 1865 was $828.3 billion for CMS and $475.6 million for opioid overdose prevention and surveillance at the CDC. The bill continues to support critical research initiatives including Alzheimer’s disease research, suicide prevention, and increasing funding to improve maternal and child health.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to demonstrate their commitment to advocate for public policy that ensures the longevity and ability for agencies and programs to provide access to healthcare services to Texans most in need.

House Passes Legislation to Lower Drug Pricing

The rising costs in prescription drugs, according to Health Affairs, can be blamed primarily on price increases, not from expensive improvements to existing drugs or new therapies as pharmaceutical companies often claim. On Dec. 12, House Democrats passed H.R. 3, the “Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Act,” that would restrain the cost of prescriptions by allowing the government for the first time to negotiate the price of drugs. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, however, quickly declared the bill dead in the Senate saying the bill would result in dozens of fewer therapies coming to market. With a House version passed, it is now up to the Senate to pass its own drug pricing reform alternative.

The House vote on the bill passed 230 to 192, with two republicans breaking rank in support. H.R. 3 reinvests in improving Medicare for seniors and people with disabilities by placing out-of-pocket limits for prescription drugs, requiring manufacturers to adjust prices based on inflation, and allowing the government to negotiate prices for 50 to 250 drugs using an international price index. The price determined by the negotiation process would then be available to the commercial market, not just Medicare beneficiaries, ensuring out-of-pocket costs for all Americans are contained. In addition, the House bill would expand Medicare benefits to include dental, vision and hearing aid coverage. Projected cost savings would appropriate the additional funding to the National Institute of Health Innovation Projects, the FDA, and the Opioid Epidemic Response Fund. The bill would improve the overall health and well-being of millions of working families by removing the barrier of having to decide between lifesaving treatment and paying their bills.

House Energy & Commerce Committee Pushes to Extend Coverage for Moms

An estimated 700 women in the United States annually die from pregnancy-related complications within the first year after giving birth, despite 60 percent of these deaths being preventable with appropriate care. On Nov. 20, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation by voice vote, H.R. 4996 , “Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act” (Helping MOMS Act). In an effort to prevent maternal mortality, the bill incentivizes states to extend Medicaid or CHIP coverage for up to one year for low-income mothers by offering a 5 percent federal match in the first year.

Last year, Texas’ health department and the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee found that almost 400 Texas mothers died between 2012 and 2015. The committee created by the Governor and the Texas Legislature concluded that extending Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year would help more Texas mothers’ gain access to primary, specialty and behavioral care during a critical window of time following the birth of their baby. In support of the continuation of funding and strengthening of current programs to achieve healthy outcomes for women and children, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has co-signed a letter of support in collaboration with our funded partner, Texans Care for Children, advocating to increase coverage for low-income mothers and encouraging the House to include the Helping MOMS Act in its end of year bill package.

State Updates

Texas House and Senate Release Interim Charges

Following the conclusion of the 86^th legislative session earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen have published their respective Senate and House interim committee charges. Over the course of the next year, the Texas House of Representatives and Senate committees will meet to discuss and hear from stakeholders on key issues in preparation for the next legislative session. Their findings will affect actions taken during the 87^th Texas Legislative Session which begins Jan. 12, 2021.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted topics for consideration to the state delegation related to improving access to healthcare services for Texas families. To deliver care for our uninsured and underserved families, we will continue to monitor charges and legislation during the interim that affects our four priority areas: access to care, behavioral health, healthcare workforce and women in children. A key priority for Methodist Health Care Ministries is addressing the rising cost of healthcare. We will be monitoring charges related to increasing access to affordable and quality healthcare, access to mental health care services through telehealth and the progression of the San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) Phase II committee work, expanding Texas’ current and future workforce pipeline to closing skill gaps, as well as providing recommendations to developing a postpartum care package for new mothers to develop strategies to ensure continuity of care.

House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs

House Speaker Bonnen also moved to create and appoint Texas House members to the House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs . The committee is comprised of 11 members that will examine the primary drivers of increased health care costs in Texas, study opportunities to better coordinate how public dollars are spent on healthcare, as well as identify emerging and proven delivery system improvements and sustainable financing models that could reduce the cost of healthcare. The committee is required to submit a final report on their findings before the start of the 2021 legislative session.

HHS Releases Blueprint for a Healthy Texas

The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled its inaugural business plan in November 2019, Blueprint of a Healthy Texas, which provides measurable initiatives to improve the lives of more than 7 million Texans who rely on the services provided by the agency. The business plan includes 12 initiatives and 72 goals focused on providing a transparent framework for how HHS will move forward and improve services to Texans.

It is estimated that one in five Texans have mental health needs, with more than 1 million suffering from a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Meeting the mental healthcare needs of Texans requires critical policy analyses to ensure coordinated systems of support and services are effective and appropriate. The HHS business plan hopes to address the gaps in behavioral health and meet a person’s need in the most integrated settings.

The inaugural business plan works to improve health outcomes for women, mothers, and children by enhancing access to long-acting reversible contraception, increasing prenatal and well-child visits, and addressing disparities in breastfeeding and breast cancer. Additionally, FY 2020 initiatives also focus on improving accountability and sustainability of supplemental and directed payment programs to achieve positive outcomes.

New Report Shows High Poverty Rates for Children in Webb County

In a new report commissioned by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and produced by the Center for Public Policy Priorities, data findings conclude children in Webb County are not faring as well as Texas children overall, lacking access to health care at greater rates and scoring poorer on many indicators of health, education and financial security.

The 2019 State of Texas Children in Webb County report highlights that although Webb County is a vibrant binational landscape and has one of the best employment rates across the state, nearly 70 percent of children live in high poverty neighborhoods (compared to 17 percent in Texas overall). As a result, children are less likely to have access to doctors, quality schools and groceries. Additionally, children living in Webb County were three times as likely to be undercounted in the census as in Texas overall. An undercount of children in the upcoming 2020 census could mean fewer federal dollars flowing into the county for education, Head Start, SNAP and Medicaid/CHIP programs.

The report noted Webb County can capitalize on its strengths and invest in child-well-being by ensuring workers receive family-sustaining wages, expanding access to comprehensive health insurance, improving access to family planning, and promoting an accurate 2020 census. Working with local officials and state lawmakers to support equity-focused policies will ensure all children have access to the basic building blocks to reach their full potential. On Nov. 21, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and CPPP shared the report's findings with the Laredo Health Coalition, City of Laredo Health Department, Webb County Commissioner Rosaura Tijerina and other elected officials.

RGV Equal Voice Network Hosts Access to Specialty Care Summit

Rio Grande Valley residents continue to face challenges in accessing health care due to serious economic barriers, a shortage of providers, and a lack of health insurance coverage. Many low-income working families rely on the local safety net clinics to receive low-cost primary care. However, when patients are referred to specialists for more serious ailments, such as cancer, surgery or dental care, nearly two out of five residents said they could not access the specialty care they needed.  On Dec. 12, the RGV Equal Voice Network Health Working Group held a summit in Weslaco, Texas, where they laid out 18 recommendations to help address the lack of access to specialty care in the RGV. Over 150 healthcare administrators, community organizers and regional leaders were in attendance, including State Representative Armando Martinez, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, and Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres.

Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez delivers keynote address at EVN’s Access to Specialty Care Summit.

During the summit, the EVN Health Working Group identified the economic and environmental barriers limiting access to specialty health care services. The data gathered from over 600 individual surveys and 12 focus groups found that most individuals needed referrals to obstetrics/gynecology, dental and optometry/ophthalmology. They also found that three-fourths of households stated cost as the primary barrier to seeing a specialist. Proposed solutions included increasing collaboration between safety net clinics and the UTRGV School of Medicine, increasing residency training slots, increasing transportation options for patients living in rural areas and studying the feasibility of establishing a public hospital district in the RGV. Details on these recommendations will be shared in a white paper scheduled to be released this coming spring.

This project, funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Marguerite Casey Foundation, will help elected officials and community organizations develop robust public health agendas with concrete goals and actions aimed at reducing inequities and increasing access to care for vulnerable individuals living in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley region.

Upcoming Hearings

Posted Agendas for House Committees
Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

Upcoming Events

Jan. 26-27: Texas Impact – United Methodist Women Legislative Event (Austin)

Jan. 29: The Texas Tribune – Future of Health Care: A Daylong Exploration of Health Care in Texas (Edinburg)

Feb. 3-6: San Antonio Chamber of Commerce – 2020 SA to DC (Washington, D.C.)

Feb. 13-14: Texas Hospital Association – Annual Conference and Expo (San Antonio)

Feb. 16-18: Texas Impact – Texas Interfaith Advocacy Day Conference (Austin)

Mar. 2: Texas Association of City & County Health Officials – 2020 Premier Public Health Conference (Houston)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

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Statement on Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Decision Regarding the Affordable Care Act

DW Admin on December 23, 2019

On Dec. 18, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in the Texas v. United States case concerning the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law, passed in 2010, provides millions of Americans, including more than one million Texans, with access to health care coverage. The court ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and sent the case back to a court in Texas to determine how to move forward.

While the legal case runs its course through the judicial system, it is important that consumers who have recently secured their insurance through the healthcare exchange understand they still have coverage. Methodist Healthcare Ministries will remain committed and engaged in our proactive efforts to increase access to care for the least served across Texas. We are called to do, in the words of John Wesley, all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times, to all the people we can, for as long as we can. Whether it is through the direct services provided through our clinical and regional operations, the resources provided to our funded partners in South Texas or the policies and best practices our advocacy agenda supports – Methodist Healthcare Ministries will continue our efforts to ensure we are supporting resilient families and thriving communities.

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Grief in the Midst of the Holiday Season: Staying healthy while coping with loss

DW Admin on December 17, 2019

The holidays are a joyful time of the year for many, but it can be a difficult one for others, especially after experiencing loss. Grief can be overwhelming for some people, which not only impacts your emotional health, but it can also impact you physically, according to Dr. Parachur Nivedita, a physician with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Celina Gonzalez, behavioral health counselor and Dr. Parachur Nivedita, physician, of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Dr. Nivedita said it’s very important to pay close attention to your body during the grieving process. Grief can impact the immune system by weakening it, which can lead to illnesses and infections like colds and the flu, as well as angina (severe chest pain). Those going through grief who are managing chronic illnesses like diabetes or a heart condition, tend to sometimes neglect their health.

“People who are managing an ailment and then faced with a loss can become very ill when they stop taking their medications and seeing their doctor. A person can become so overwhelmed with grief that it can sometimes lead to serious complications, which can be life-threatening if not addressed,” said Dr. Nivedita.

Celina Gonzalez, a behavioral health counselor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center, said grief is often caused by a great loss, which can include the death of a loved-one, close friend, animal companion or losing a job, ending a close relationship, divorce and the health deterioration of a family member or your own.

“When depression kicks-in that feeling of helplessness and hopelessness happens. There’s a stress hormone called cortisol and it’s released by the adrenal glands. When cortisol levels go up, your energy decreases which causes tiredness, as well as changes in diet and sleep,” explained Gonzalez. “The reason folks get sick as they grieve, is because they stop taking care of themselves.”

Dr. Nivedita said some people experience body aches, pain or other symptoms that are linked to grief. “When I learn that a patient has lost a loved-one, I will let them know about our grief support group that is available to help to help them cope, as well as counselors who can help them as they face the loss. It’s so important to take care of yourself during a life-changing event like the death of a loved-one.”

Gonzalez said people who are grieving sometimes become isolated. Their lives come to a halt during their season of grief. “They stop socializing with family, friends and co-workers. They stop eating healthy foods — weight loss or weight gain can occur. They sleep too much or not enough. These behavioral changes can impact, not only their emotional health but also their physical well-being.”

Dr. Nivedita said staying on track with your health is vital. “It’s important to keep taking your all of your medications and, if you have scheduled doctors’ appointments, you should keep them and not skip any of them.”

Coping with the Holiday Blues

The holiday season can include plenty of parties and gatherings, but Gonzalez said that it’s perfectly fine to skip them. “You can skip the parties or the invite to drive with friends to see Christmas lights downtown, but don’t stop caring for yourself. Keep track of your health and stay in touch with your circle of friends and family members.”

She said, “Grief can be overwhelming for some, especially when many traditions were created with loved ones who are no longer here. Traditions like making tamales, baking cookies, going shopping, watching favorite Christmas movies, attending plays and musicals — the list goes on. These reminders can sometimes trigger specific memories, causing deeper sadness for those grieving.”

Gonzalez said that it’s important to try and honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away, as part of the grieving and healing process. And, you can also decide what traditions you’d like to keep or create new ones in honor of your loved one.

“When you honor a loved one, it helps bring comfort. You can do this in many ways. You can make an ornament that reflects their personality, plant a tree, visit the cemetery with flowers, or prepare their favorite dish,” she said. “It’s about celebrating them in your own way. Give yourself permission to grieve because what you’re feeling is real. Also, there’s no timeframe for grieving. Everyone is different and should grieve for as long as needed but the key is to not neglect your health.”

If you or someone you know has recently experienced a loss, Gonzalez shares a few things you can do to help get through the season.

Draw from your faith in God to help you work through the healing.
Go for a walk, it’ll help clear your thoughts. And, don’t forget to breathe.
If you are currently taking medications, keep taking them, as directed by your doctor.
If you have scheduled doctor’s appointments, be sure to keep them.
Be patient with yourself by giving yourself permission to grieve.
Talk with someone who understands your loss. Perhaps make an appointment to see a grief counselor.
Join a grief support group. It’ll help connect you with others experiencing similar losses.
Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Gonzalez said it’s important to reach out to family, friends or a professional counselor, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with grief. But most of all, give yourself the gift of allowing yourself to work through the pain and grief, and construct a new connection with the deceased. And, above all, don’t stop taking care of yourself. Listen to your body. Keep taking your medications and seeing your doctor. And, take one day at a time.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is dedicated to creating access to healthcare for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships, and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," the organization’s vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.

Local Families Received Decorated Trees at Annual Christmas Tree Giveaway

DW Admin on December 14, 2019

San Antonio (Dec. 13, 2019)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.– a private, faith-based not-for-profit dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured – partnered with Methodist Healthcare System for the seventh consecutive year to donate about 200 decorated Christmas trees and holiday wreaths to several underserved families in San Antonio. As part of their annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan participate in a tree decorating or wreath decorating contest. Following the competition, the trees and wreaths were donated to Methodist Healthcare Ministries to give to a family in need. (View footage from the 2018 event.)

This year, staff at Methodist Healthcare Ministries also participated in their own decorating contest to add even more trees to the event.“This annual tradition truly brings our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” to life and it is one of our team members’ favorite events. It is such a blessing to see the joy and holiday cheer on the faces of the children and the families we serve,” said Jaime Weslolowski, President & CEO at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are grateful for the Methodist Healthcare System for putting so much of their time and energy into decorating these trees with love and helping us spread some holiday cheer.”

The people receiving the trees were identified from existing patients and clients of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ clinics and parenting programs. This population generally makes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, lacks health insurance and often cannot affort the holiday gifts and niceties many people take for granted.

The Christmas trees decorated by employees from Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital were donated to families at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Guests were invited to enjoy some holiday treats and entertainment before selecting their own tree. Trained staff from Methodist Hospital were also on hand to install donated car seats for families who were also in need of a safe car seat to protect their child.

“We are so excited to give these trees to the Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the community we support”, commented Dan Miller, CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital. “The community gives a lot back to us: they give us purpose, they give us a reason to be here and a reason to come to work every day. In this season of giving, I think it’s most important for the gift we give every day, which is the opportunity to make a difference in our community. When I think about all of the Christmas trees we have here, my hope is that we’re able to put a tree where there wasn’t a tree. These trees are not only a symbol of our mission to serve humanity to honor God but they’re also a symbol of love and Christmas spirit. We’re excited for families to find a tree that means a lot to them and gets to have a special place in their home.”

This year, for the first time, a similar event was planned at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center. Christmas trees and wreaths were decoarated and donated by the employees of Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

“It’s a special and memorable way for our employees to give back to the families and the community we care for every day. It’s one more example of how we are committed to supporting resilient families and building a thriving community in our own backyard,” concluded Wesolowski.

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About Methodist HealthcareMinistries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio TexasConference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest health care system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.

About Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare System – San Antonio is the largest provider of health care in South and Central Texas with 30 facilities, including ten hospitals and four free-standing emergency departments, serving over 608,000 inpatients and outpatients annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 11,000, making Methodist Healthcare the second largest private employer in San Antonio. The Texas Quality Foundation selected Methodist Healthcare to receive the 2014 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. Methodist Healthcare is the first and only health care system in South Texas to receive this award, which requires an organization to demonstrate its commitment to the highest quality standards. With more than 2,700 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. Visit www.SAHealth.comto learn more.

Treating physical and mental health together improves chronic conditions

DW Admin on December 12, 2019

San Antonio, TX (Dec. 12, 2019)– A new U.S. – Mexico border study shows that providing physical and mental health care together improves conditions like diabetes and depression in South Texas.

The study focused on improving wellness for low-income, uninsured Hispanic residents who face multiple barriers to accessing health care and are also more likely to have chronic health conditions, like diabetes. And almost 40 percent of Hispanic patients with Type 2 diabetes also have depression, making it even more critical to get the right mix of physical and mental health care.

That care is hard to find: Most counties in the Rio Grande Valley are federally designated as Medically Underserved Areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas. For every 100,000 residents, there are only 15.5 family physicians.

A five-year project called Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas, studied the effectiveness of integrating physical and mental health care in a single visit, which enables providers to more effectively coordinate care so that neither physical nor mental health care needs are neglected.

This approach, called Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH), is taking hold in many areas of the country, but until this project, had never been studied in low-income, uninsured, predominantly Hispanic populations.

Connecting communities to care

Sí Texas was developed by San Antonio-based Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. The health care non-profit has focused its services in South Texas for nearly 25 years. Communities near the border and along the coastal bend offered the ideal population and health care access conditions for the study, but an added challenge in that South Texas is often ignored when it comes to grant funding and philanthropy; organizations that might provide individual grants in the region aren’t large enough to fund a project of this scope, and 7 of the 12 counties in the project have no foundations that fund health initiatives.

“We know that physical, mental and spiritual health together are the key to wellness, but for many low-income South Texas residents, realities like lack of transportation, and other social or economic factors get in the way of access to health care, says Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Border communities and people living in rural areas are especially impacted. We work to improve health equity in the region, and we want the partners we work with to have the resources to be community health leaders in their own right. Sí Texas was an opportunity to deliver more effective care and to support sustainable operational growth for providers and clinics in South Texas.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries created a partnership between a federal agency that provides funding for community initiatives, and regional and local funders – together, the resources added up to $60 million to study the effectiveness of IBH in counties where income and access to health care are among the lowest in the nation and conditions like diabetes and depression are among the highest.

8 clinics, 12 counties in the study

The major funding came from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Harlingen-based Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation; several smaller, regional co-investors also contributed. Eight health care organizations in 12 counties were selected to implement IBH programs, study the effectiveness of the approach with patients who had diagnoses for conditions like diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, anxiety and obesity, and evaluate the results and the impact.

“Sí Texas addressed real barriers in South Texas, where working, poor residents face so many obstacles to accessing health care; there’s a tremendous need to find better ways to treat these common chronic conditions,” says Jennifer Knoulton, RN, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vice president of regional operations. “We’ve been working in South Texas communities for years and we’re familiar with the unique needs of low-income, uninsured people living in this region. Transforming the type of care people have access to can change lives over generations. This project was important to us from a care delivery standpoint, but also because we believe that the best health care treats the body, mind and spirit. Sí Texas was a way for us to introduce IBH and expand whole-person health care in South Texas.”

The eight clinics selected for the project were a diverse group of local mental health authorities, federally qualified health clinics, primary care charity clinics and academic institutions operating clinics in the communities targeted for the project. Each clinic designed its own IBH program for the unique needs of the people it cares for. Altogether, the project spanned 12 counties, chosen for their federal status on poverty rates, health outcomes and access to providers. During the study, Sí Texas provided IBH health care for 51,937 low-income, uninsured patients and clients.

IBH works in South Texas

The results confirm that IBH is effective in treating chronic health and mental health conditions in low-income, uninsured, predominantly Hispanic populations. The success of the study in South Texas has powerful implications for successful health care delivery outcomes in parts of the country facing similar conditions.

Depression and HbA1c (a key diabetes marker) improved for patients who received IBH care across the project, compared to a control group which received regular standard of care services. Also, the effect of Si Texas’ IBH care was stronger among participants with diabetes, depression, or a diagnosis of Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, and among females 49+ years of age.

“What we learned validates that integrating mental, physical and spiritual healthcare improves whole-person wellness,” added Wesolowski of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are grateful for the courage and perseverance of the patients, providers and organizations who braved this journey.”

For more information and resources, or to read the full Sí Texas Social Innovation for a Health South Texas report, visit mhm.org/sitexas/.

Si Texas facts

Almost 40 percent of Hispanic patients with Type 2 diabetes also have depression.[i]
In the Sí Texas project area, residents are at a higher rate of getting cancer, diabetes and heart disease than those who live in urban areas, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The Rio Grande Valley has a critical health care provider shortage; there are only 15.5 family physicians per 100,000 people.[ii]
Sí Texas was a $60 million health care delivery redesign project, with a unique matching fund structure through the Corporation for National and Community Service, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and other smaller community co-funders.
Sí Texas marked the first time the Corporation for National and Community Service – a federal agency – provided funds to a faith-based organization like Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
The eight participating clinics: Hope Family Health Center; Nuestra Clinica del Valle; Texas A&M International University; Tropical Texas Behavioral Health; University of Texas School of Public Health – Brownsville; University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; REAL, Inc.; Mercy Ministries of Laredo.
In communities near the U.S. – Mexico border, a health care delivery project of this scale – with an integrated behavioral health approach – had never been studied before.
The results show that IBH is effective in treating chronic health and mental health conditions in low-income, uninsured, predominantly Hispanic populations, with implications for successful outcomes in similar conditions.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.

[i]Mier, Nelda, et al. “Health-related quality of life among Mexican Americans living in colonias at the Texas–Mexico border” Social Science & Medicine Volume 8, Issue 66 (2008): Page 1760 – 1771.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027795360700665X

Parenting Program Receives National Recognition as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate

DW Admin on December 12, 2019

San Antonio, TX (Dec. 12, 2019)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Parents as Teachers program has earned a prestigious endorsement from the Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the PATNC’s international network. The official designation was made on Oct. 1, 2019.

Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.

“To earn the Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Shannon Pointon, L.M.S.W., Parenting Program Manager at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering the highest quality services to the children and families we serve.”

Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes, according to Pointon. It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed. Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ accountability and credibility to the community and the partner organizations with which they work.

“All of us at Methodist Healthcare Ministres are incredibly proud of the work our Parenting program puts into helping us build reslilient families and thriving communities in the places we serve” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Parents as Teacher program provides bimonthly personal home visits to families and monthly group connection events focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being. The program supports parents throughout pregnancy until their children enter school full-time providing health, hearing, vision and developmental screenings for eligible children using approved screening tools and methods. The program also connects families to resources and help them overcome any barriers to accessing those resources. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org/services/parenting-programs

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About Methodist HealthcareMinistries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.

About Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers (PAT) builds strong communities, thriving families and children that are healthy, safe and ready to learn. The internationally-recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by 35 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. PAT currently serves nearly 200,000 families in all 50 U.S. states, 115 Tribal organizations, six other countries and one U.S. territory. Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc., is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Parents as Teachers affiliates operate in various settings, including health departments, hospitals and schools, faith-based and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit parentsasteachers.org or Twitter @NatlPAT.

The BUILD Health Challenge

DW Admin on December 3, 2019

Maybe it all started with a love of Legos? Or maybe it was Lincoln Logs? Or creating an indoor tent and pillow fort with every clean sheet and pillowcase I could find in my house (sorry Mom!)? In short, the inclination to build things starts in childhood. As adults, we start building in other ways. Beyond construction, we develop systemic plans, and we see opportunities to build and work with intention to expand or increase something – make something bolder. Building something bolder–a perfect way to describe Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ new venture with the BUILD Health Challenge.

Launched in 2015, the BUILD Health Challenge is a visionary funding collaborative designed to support local community partnerships. Its goal is to improve the overall health of local residents experiencing significant obstacles to health and health disparities. BUILD is underwritten by several national funders such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation with investments by a select group of regional funders throughout the United States. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is one of those co-investors, bringing the BUILD Health Challenge to South Texas.

BUILD is an acronym for Bold, Upstream, Integrated,Local, and Data-Driven. BUILD focuses on the upstream factors – social, environmental, and economic – also known as the social determinants of health that have the greatest influences on the health of a community. The beauty of BUILD is its boldness; it’s a fundamental shift beyond short-term programmatic work to longer-term systems change such as creating policy that makes a community healthier. Imagine going from building one Lego house to creating an integrated Lego community of nonprofits, hospitals, local mental health authorities, schools, churches, community centers, businesses, and on and on. This is where the challenge portion of BUILD comes into play: how do you address upstream challenges and drive sustainable improvements in community health?

Earlier this year, the BUILD team released a call for applications seeking imaginative and resourceful collaboratives who could design a strategy that adhered to the BUILD principles (bold, upstream, integrated, local, and data-driven), offer novel approaches to improving population health, and work with a health equity lens in all aspects of the project.

[To read more about health equity, please see Tim Barr’s blog “An Introduction to Health Equity” here: : https://news.mhm.org/an-introduction-to-health-equity—part-1/]

After a rigorous two-stage application process, the Hope for Health Collaborative in Kerrville, Texas, was selected as the BUILD grantee for Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ service region. Over the next 2 ½ years (the grant project period) New Hope Counseling Center is leading a collaborative to revitalize the Doyle Community, an historically isolated and segregated African-American and Hispanic neighborhood in Kerrville. Beginning with local policy changes, the Hope for Health Collaborative project is about reconciliation and repairing a century of structural racism. The collaborative plans to address the revitalization of this forgotten neighborhood with a focus on social connection, navigation and resident participation to address their individual and community resources and healthcare needs. This is groundbreaking work that will have population health impact for a community.

As part of a U.S. cohort of designated BUILD projects, New Hope will be on the national stage to share their BUILD story. As a co-investor, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is excited to stand beside some of the country’s most influential foundations to help shape a national conversation about the importance of collaborative funding and what we can build together to improve the health of communities.

To read more about the BUILD Health Challenge, visit www.buildhealthchallenge.org.

Thanksgiving Luncheon 2019

DW Admin on November 27, 2019

On Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. hosted our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for the community around our Wesley Health & Wellness Center on the Southwest side of San Antonio. Each year, we provide a tasty and fresh Thanksgiving meal to nearly 500 clients and their families, our neighbors and staff. This annual tradition started back in 2009 and is a fun, festive event that embodies our mission to "Serving Humanity to Honor God."

"Having this opportunity to open our doors and see our patients and clients come in with their family and friends to share a meal together this Thanksgiving really warms our hearts as an organization and is a gratifying example of seeing our mission at work in our community", said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "As an organization, we are continuously blessed to have such passionate and dedicated team members who are called to do this work and the smile on the faces of the people we serve today, and every day, gives our work more purpose and meaning."

The event is a true team effort and begins weeks in advance with our kitchen staff ordering the food and supplies needed to prepare the feast, which takes days to prepare. Staff from across the organization, including our corporate officers, volunteer in different ways to greet our guests and serve them a warm meal that this year included turkey, ham, corn, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more.

It remains one of our team members' favorite traditions at Methodist Healthcare Ministries as it allows our patients and clients from all walks of life the opportunity to come together for a special day of thanks, grace and community. Seeing joy on the faces of the families we serve, particularly the children, reminds us of why we do the work we do and fills us all with gratitude.

In the spirit of the holiday, many blessings to you and your families. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

For a video with highlights from our 2018 luncheon, please click here.

The BUILD Health Challenge Announces 18 New, Cross-Sector Partnerships

DW Admin on November 19, 2019

San Antonio (Nov. 19, 2019)–Today, the BUILD Health Challenge^®welcomed its Third Cohort of awardees — including 18 new communities throughout the U.S. — that will receive a total of $8 million in funding and resources to transform health at the local level over the next two years. The Hope for Health Collaborative out of Kerrville, TX is among those 18 communities, representing the first BUILD Health Challenge community in the Texas Hill Country.

Launched in 2015, the BUILD Health Challenge addresses the intersectional factors that impact health and well-being at the community level. BUILD recognizes that direct medical care, while critical, is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to lifting up the standards of living for people in the U.S. and works across sectors with local community organizations to affect positive, sustainable improvements to community health.

“Expenditures in health account for nearly 18 percent of the American economy, and yet as a nation we still struggle with creating conditions that allow for everyone to have the opportunity to reach their greatest health potential,” said Emily Yu, Executive Director of the BUILD Health Challenge. “Changing this narrative means two things: approaching health as a holistic issue that involves social, economic and physical variables; and supporting those who know best how to care for their communities by supporting their work with the tools to drive change.”

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to support The BUILD Health Challenge and bring much needed attention and investment to Central Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “We congratulate the Hope for Health Collaborative and all the contributing partners in Kerrville for creating a strong program that helps the community thrive and strengthens families in the Doyle neighborhood of Kerrville and across the Texas Hill Country.”

The Hope For Health Collaborative was formed by New Hope Counseling Center, Peterson Health, the Texas Department of State Health Services-Region 8, Barnett Chapel and Glory Community Garden, Light on the Hill at Mt. Wesley, the City of Kerrville and The Doyle School Community Center in a joint application for the BUILD Health challenge. These organizations, as well as many others, committed to work together to address the revitalization of the Doyle neighborhood of Kerrville, with a focus on social connection, navigation and resident participation to address their individual and community resources and healthcare needs.

“The Hope for Health Collaborative is very proud to bring home this award for our Kerrville community!” Brenda Fudge, executive director of New Hope shares, “Blessed with abundant resources and the willingness of many to share their gifts and talents, this BUILD Health Challenge award is a wonderful opportunity to all work together, creating and laying the groundwork for sustainable improvements that will translate into overall well-being for the residents of the Doyle neighborhood.”

The BUILD Health Challenge is excited to fund dynamic collaboratives that are addressing critical issues such as food security, maternal and child health, transportation planning, and housing through a health equity lens. The $8 million in awards and resources will support community-driven partnerships in each of the 18 new communities aimed at addressing these issues. In addition, each collaborative includes a local hospital partner that is also contributing monetary and/or in-kind support to the project, collectively adding more than $5 million to the overall award total.

“Since our first cohort started four years ago, we’ve seen positive health outcomes in communities across the country through the collaboration of local organizations, residents and community leaders,” said Yu. “Now more than ever we are seeing that the future of health lies in supporting local collaborations that include cross-sector and community driven involvement. Together, these partners are rewriting the playbook for better health and finding new and sustainable ways to tackle our country’s most pressing health issues.”

The first two cohorts of BUILD Health Challenge, launched in 2015 and 2017, included 37 unique community partnerships across 24 states. To date, the awardees’ efforts have yielded promising policy changes and community health solutions such updating regulations that prevent people from having to live in substandard housing that jeopardizes their health; leveraging data to identify hidden health trends in neighborhoods; and reimagining food supply and distribution channels in communities to address food insecurity. The BUILD Health Challenge is proud to welcome 18 communities to our ever-growing network of health disruptors and champions.

The projects and communities selected are:

· Advancing Community Partnerships to Increase Food Access in Southern Dallas – Food distribution[Dallas, TX]

· BUILD Fourth Plain – Healthy housing[Vancouver, WA]

· BUILD Sherman Park – Healthy housing and safe communities[Milwaukee, WI]

· Caring About Reno’s Elderly (CARE) – Geriatric and elderly care[Reno, NV]

· Collaborative Cottage Grove – Healthy housing[Greensboro, NC]

· Crecer La Confianza, Crecer La Salud – Children’s health[Greenville, SC]

· Empowering a Self-Healing Community: Safety, Self-sufficiency and Well-being in North Omaha – Community revitalization[Omaha, NE]

· Healthy Babies, Empowered Moms, Flourishing Families – Maternal and child health[Sunflower County, MS]

· Health Havenscourt Collaborative – Healthy housing[Oakland, CA]

· Healthy Highland – Community revitalization[Gastonia, NC]

· Healthy Together Medical-Legal Partnership to Improve Health in DC by Enhancing Community Resilience – Children’s health[Washington, DC]

· Marion County CHFE (Creating Health Food Environments) Project – Food justice[Marion County, SC]

· Maternal and Child Health at Columbia Parc – Maternal and child health[New Orleans, LA]

· Maternal Upstream Management (MUM) – Maternal and child health[Houston, TX]

· New Brunswick Healthy Housing Collaborative – Healthy housing[New Brunswick, NJ]

· Roots to Prevention – Food justice[Camden, NJ]

· Strong Immigrant Communities Through Collective Action for Housing Affordability and Ownership – Community revitalization[Vallejo, CA]

· The Hope for Health Collaborative – Community revitalization[Kerrville, TX]

Partnerships in Oakland, Greensboro, Washington, and New Brunswick, return for the Third Cohort building on momentum from a past award they received from the BUILD Health Challenge.

The BUILD Health Challenge is also honored to have leading grantmaking organizations partnering in this effort. This collaboration blends national perspective with issue-specific and regional expertise, and aims to inspire similar teamwork among organizations at the local level that will help to uncover tomorrow’s best practices for community health. The Third Cohort is made possible with support from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, de Beaumont Foundation, Episcopal Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., New Jersey Health Initiatives, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Learn more about the BUILD Health Challenge communities at https://buildhealthchallenge.org/.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.

About The Build Health Challenge

The BUILD Health Challenge® is a national award that strengthens partnerships between local nonprofit organizations, hospitals and health systems, and local health departments to drive sustainable improvements in community health. Created by the de Beaumont Foundation, the Colorado Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2015, it has grown to now also include support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation; BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation; Blue Shield of California; Communities Foundation of Texas; Episcopal Health Foundation; Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.; New Jersey Health Initiatives; and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Congratulations to Dr. Phillip Brown, DDS

DW Admin on November 8, 2019

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Senior Vice President of Dental Services, Dr. Philip Brown, has been inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD). Dr. Brown was honored for his extraordinary service and leadership at the ICD’s 85^thAnnual Convocation, held in San Francisco, California, Sept. 6.

Dr. Brown was presented with a membership plaque, a gold lapel pin and gold key symbolic of the fellowship for conspicuous service rendered in the art and science of dentistry, during the convocation.

“I was nominated by a colleague to join the organization. I sent in my application and it was approved by the board and then I was inducted into the group,” said Dr. Brown. “It is an honor to receive this recognition and it is humbling. It was overwhelming and I felt like I was graduating from college, again. It is a big honor for me.”

Dr. Brown was among 350 other dentists from around the world to be inducted into the College this year. The College, with representative chapters in more than 123 countries, has over 11,000 members — including 6,500 in the United States.

The ICD members often participate in mission trips to various countries around the globe to provide critical dental care to the underserved.

“I felt like I really fit in to this organization because that’s what Methodist Healthcare Ministries does — we serve the underserved in our communities. It’s our mission field,” said Brown. “We are doing what medical teams on mission trips do — all day and every day,” he said.

His passion for “treating people, not teeth,” which is his mantra, is the driving force behind his commitment to providing the highest quality of care to the least served in our communities. Dr. Brown’s dedicated work and expertise is the epitome of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission, “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”

He said Methodist Healthcare Ministries is at the forefront of integrated healthcare which provides care to the whole person by utilizing a high degree of collaboration and communication across the organization. The goal is to make connections to systemic ailments including coronary artery disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, depression, and others, so that a patients’ health needs are better identified and addressed.

“We practice integrated healthcare at Methodist Healthcare Ministries because we invest a lot of our attention to the whole person so that we can provide the best in healthcare to our patients,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I felt connected to ICD. They too are passionate about bringing wellness to those in need.”

Dr. Brown plans on getting more involved with ICD and hopes to dedicate some of his time to volunteer work. One of his goals is to be part of a mission trip in the future. He said it’s a way for him to give back to others.

He and his brother are both dentists. His brother is in private practice. “We both enjoy working with our hands and we are both artistic,” he said.

When Dr. Brown isn’t leading his dental teams at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center, Wesley Health & Wellness Center and its two School-Based Health Centers, you can bet he’s somewhere taking photos of whatever captures his eye. His love for photography started in college.

“I take my camera everywhere I go. I like taking photos of my family, as well as places I’ve traveled to,” he said. “One of his most cherished photos is of his parents’ hands. “I was at church with my parents that day and I noticed their hands as they sat together so I decided to capture that image.”

The photo of his parents’ hands is displayed in his office, along with several other images including his travels and family. Aside from photography, he also enjoys scuba diving with his sons.

Dr. Brown and his wife, Elaine, have two sons — Jason, 34, an emergency room physician in Houston, Texas, and Kyle, 29, a firefighter with the San Antonio Fire Department. They also have two grandsons — Braxton and Joshua. His wife, Elaine, is a retired radiologist.

He’s served at Methodist Healthcare Ministries for 24 years. Dr. Brown said serving others and helping improve their lives is a great feeling. “It’s unexplainable. We are not just changing teeth; we are changing lives every day. And, ultimately, we are saving lives. To see a patient, look and feel better is an overwhelming feeling.”

The ICD is the pre-eminent honorary organization of the world’s outstanding dentists involved in “Serving Others.” It is dedicated to the recognition of outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and the continued progress in the profession of dentistry for the benefit of all humankind.

Improving Access to Water is Critical for the Health of All Texans

DW Admin on October 31, 2019

Having access to clean, potable water, indoor plumbing and a wastewater system is something many Texans take for granted. However, thousands of Texans, mostly living along the Texas-Mexico border in colonias lack these basic amenities. The State of Texas defines a colonia as “a residential area along the Texas–Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living necessities such as potable water, septic or sewer systems, electricity, paved roads or safe and sanitary housing.”

As President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., I have heard the stories of Texans living along the border who are struggling with access to basic needs, and I’ve witnessed first-hand how the lack of potable water, septic or sewer systems, electricity, paved roads or safe and sanitary housing create barriers to health.

One example is the community of La Presa, a colonia in Webb County near Laredo. La Presa is a community of approximately 300, surrounds a lake at the center of town that is hidden by trees. Most families in this colonia do not have access to potable water and often have to drive to Laredo to pump water for their washing machines, sinks, toilets and tubs. The water isn't clean enough to drink so families must buy water bottles.

It's a tragic situation that many Texans are trying to solve. Webb County is moving forward with a first-ever water dispensary for their community, which is targeted to launch the summer of 2020. And, thanks to a partnership between Texas A&M University’s Colonias Program and the U.S. Department of Defense, the flood-prone road that families in La Presa depend on to get to school and work will be improved. It’s a great step forward, but there are hundreds more communities like La Presa that need help.

According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, there are nearly 500,000 Texans living in nearly 2,300 colonias. 61.4 percent live at or near the federal poverty rate. 73.1 percent are U.S. citizens. In just six Texas counties along the Texas-Mexico border, 38,000 colonia residents do not have access to clean drinking water.

It bears repeating. Thousands of our fellow Texans are living without the most basic living necessities. No problems of this complexity have silver bullets, but there is a tangible way to stand beside our fellow Texans in pursuit of a solution simply by exercising your right to vote.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., our mission calls us to “Serve Humanity to Honor God.” We fulfill our mission in a number of ways, including through the direct services we provide through our clinical operations and the grant funding we award to nonprofit organizations across South Texas – all sharing our commitment to helping increase access to care for the least served. However, we also seek to play a leading role in shaping the state’s policy agenda through our advocacy efforts.

During the Texas Legislature’s 86^th Legislative Session, our organization, alongside other partners, supported the passage of Senate Bill 2452, which became known as Proposition 2 on the November ballot after being passed by both the Texas House & Senate.

Proposition 2 is a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution that will allow the Texas Water Development Board to issue general obligation bonds for the Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP). EDAP is a program created by the Texas Legislature to assist disadvantaged communities with critical infrastructure projects. The amount of the bonds allowed by Proposition 2 cannot exceed $200 million and would be used to develop water supply and sewer projects in economically depressed areas, such as colonias, of the state.

This is a bill that passed with bipartisan support. However, to become law, it requires approval of the majority of Texas voters this November 5.

What can you do to help? Exercise your right to vote at the ballot box. By voting “Yes” to Proposition 2, you are ensuring that distressed communities across Texas have access to funds that will improve access to clean water.

Early voting started Monday, October 21 and runs through Friday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.

In Texas, we take great pride in being there for one another. Be sure to lend a hand to your fellow Texans and vote “Yes” on proposition 2, so that all Texans can gain access to the clean, potable water we all need to live longer, healthier lives.

Jaime Wesolowski is President and CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries.