DW Admin – Page 3 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

San Antonio Express-News Names Methodist Healthcare Ministries a Winner of the San Antonio Metro Area Top Workplaces 2023 Award

DW Admin on October 23, 2023

(San Antonio, TX October 23, 2023) – For the third consecutive year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by San Antonio Express-News Top Workplaces. This is the third consecutive year MHM has received this recognition and the fourth time in the past decade.

The selection is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution and connection, just to name a few.

“To receive this special recognition for a third consecutive year is truly a testament to the remarkable team we have at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, who embody our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ in everything they do” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are thankful to our mission-driven board of directors for ensuring our team has the resources and tools they require to work with exceptional skill, humility and passion to pursue health equity across South Texas; making every day at Methodist Healthcare Ministries rewarding—and truly an extraordinary place to work.”

MHM employs 500 employees across San Antonio and throughout Texas, including at its corporate headquarters located in the San Antonio Medical Center, two community clinics (the Wesley Health & Wellness Center and the Dixon Health & Wellness Center), two George Ricks School-Based Health Centers at Krueger Elementary and Schertz Elementary, and over 100 additional staff positions located within local churches and community centers in 74 counties across South Texas. MHM offers employees a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, the opportunity to invest in a matching 401(k) savings plan, a vibrant health & wellness incentive program, education reimbursement opportunities and more.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Energage Making the world a better place to work together.^TM

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 17 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

Early Voting Begins in Texas

DW Admin on October 23, 2023

Early voting in Texas begins today, October 23, for fourteen amendments to the Texas constitution. Each one is the result of legislation passed during the 88th Texas Legislature earlier this year.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries advocated for several of the propositions on the ballot. They positively impact nonmedical drivers of health, improving the health of Texans and the patients we serve.

Proposition 2 – Childcare facilities

This amendment allows cities and counties to provide a property tax exemption for childcare providers if a minimum of 20% of their students receive subsidized childcare services. The exemption must be at least 50% of the property’s appraised value and does not apply to school district taxes or home-based childcare providers who have already received a homestead exemption.

Proposition 4 – Property taxes / school funding

This amendment lowers school district property taxes. Specifically, the amendment:

Increases the amount of homestead exemptions from $40,000 to $100,000.
Releases an additional $7.1 billion appropriated to school districts during the 88thTexas Legislature to lower property tax rates.
Imposes a temporary 20% cap on increases in the taxable value of appraisals for commercial, mineral and residential properties that do not receive a homestead exemption and are worth less than $5 million. The cap expires in 2026.
Expands the pool of business that do not pay the state franchise tax.
Allows voters to elect three members to the local appraisal district board of directors. (The members are currently appointed).

Proposition 6 – Texas Water Fund

The 88th Texas Legislature created the Texas Water Development Board to oversee projects throughout the state recognizing clean water is essential for healthy communities. This amendment creates a fund within the state treasury, endowed with $1 billion to begin to address the state’s significant water issues.

A minimum of 25% of the fund is dedicated to the New Water Supply Fund for Texas, supporting projects to increase the state’s water supply from nontraditional sources such as saltwater desalination.
The remaining 75% is for the Texas Water Fund which aids in infrastructure repairs, obtaining new water sources, mitigating water loss at existing facilities and ensuring future water availability.

Proposition 8 – Broadband infrastructure fund

The Texas Broadband Development Office estimates 3 million Texas households do not have broadband internet connections and an additional 5 million households have unreliable connections. Most live in rural areas. The amendment provides $1.5 billion to develop and finance broadband, telecommunication and 911 services as well as provide matching funds for federal grants from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program.

Proposition 10 – Medical and biomedical products

This amendment exempts biomedical equipment and inventory when calculating a facility’s appraised value for property tax purposes. All taxing entities are included (city, county, school districts and special taxing districts) in the exemption. The rationale for giving the exemption is more manufacturers will choose to locate their business in Texas with a more favorable tax situation.

For more information about any amendments on the ballot, including arguments for and against each amendment, visit the nonpartisan voter guides published by The Texas Tribune or the League of Women Voters.

Everyone is encouraged to exercise their right to vote. Early voting runs through Friday, November 3. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. To find your polling location and hours, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

Funded Partner Spotlight: Community Council of South-Central Texas, Inc.

DW Admin on October 5, 2023

Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. has provided over $1 billion to improve the well-being of the least served through its clinics, programs, and strategic partnerships. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to partner with organizations that share similar missions and organizational objectives of increasing access to care for uninsured and economically disadvantaged individuals and families across South Texas.

In the months following November 1963, just after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson carried on Kennedy’s plans to alleviate the burdens of Americans living in poverty. Later the next year, Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act, which established and funded Community Action Agencies and Programs. By 1968, there were over 1,600 agencies across America serving the country at a local level.

One of these Community Action Agencies, the Community Council of Comal County was established in 1965. In 1981, the change in funding from the federal government to state Block Grant funding led the organization to be renamed the Community Council of South-Central Texas (CCSCT).

Almost 60 years later, CCSCT has expanded to serve 31 counties across South, Central and West Texas with the objective of promoting and delivering much needed services to low-income families in their service area. Case by case, CCSCT uses their network of over 1,000 partner nonprofits and programming to help families on their journey to becoming fully self-sufficient.

In 2023, Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) provided $100,000 in grant funding to CCSCT to fund their housing support programs across their service area. The grant also supported the renovation of a new public outreach facility in Karnes County, where unhoused individuals can come for connections to resources, as well as use printing and computer services.

“It (the grant funding) has been instrumental in providing assistance to low-income families when funding is low or when we are unable to serve that population,” Carol Delgado, program officer at CCSCT, commented. “MHM funding has allowed us to provide assistance that we normally wouldn’t be able to provide.”

The grant provided by MHM will also, in part, go towards the building of a new outreach facility in Karnes County with the hopes of providing basic resources such as a computer lab, breaking down transportation barriers, as well as directing clients to much-needed programs offered by CCSCT.

“A homeless person or unhoused person is not going to be able to travel to our Seguin office or our Jourdanton office so they can go through the front door [at our Karnes office],” Kenneth Loy, Program Manager and Veteran’s Resource Coordinator, commented. “It allows people down there to have a local place to help address an unhoused issue.”

One of the programs CCSCT provides is home and rental assistance in the form of the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program (TBRA) which offers security and utility deposits as well as rental subsidies for up to 24 months while the household engages in a self-sufficiency program. Securing safe and secure shelter as well as food and water is key to facilitating access to healthcare and other needs for unhoused populations.

CCSCT also provides support for eligible former members of the military through their Veteran’s Financial Assistance program. The program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veteran’s Commission Fund for Veteran’s Assistance and provides short-term services such as one-time utility payments and one-time rent or mortgage payments.

The ERA2 program is an initiative set forth by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to assist eligible families with financial assistance and housing stability. It’s through this program that CCSCT has been able to receive funding to help transition families and individuals out of homelessness and into permanent living spaces. CCSCT has seen a 40% success rate with transitioning eligible households from temporary and semi-permanent living areas and into permanent housing.

“The two basic needs that people look for are food and shelter,” Loy said. “And so, when you address food and shelter, you allow a person the freedom to do other things like pursue healthcare.”

If you or a loved one would like to contact the Community Council of South-Central Texas, visit their website and find a location near you to get in contact with a representative today.

CCSCT Website: https://www.ccsct.org/

Methodist Healthcare Ministries receives prestigious NCQA Certification as Patient Centered Medical Home

DW Admin on October 1, 2023

San Antonio, TX (October 1, 2023) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announces that it has received the Patient Centered Medical Home certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA accredits and certifies health care organizations that have made a commitment to a patient-centered approach to care and continuous quality improvement.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is committed to delivering high quality, affordable care that is centered around each patient, providing support to make the best choices for their own health and well-being,” said Jaime Wesolwoski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We recognize that patients come to us seeking relief not only from physical conditions, but also healing from emotional and spiritual trauma. Using evidence-based practices, we listen carefully to each patient and offer integrated medical, behavioral and oral health care that is coordinated alongside parenting and wellness classes so that each patient has the opportunity to thrive.”

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others. It was developed to assess whether clinician practices are functioning as medical homes and then recognize them for these efforts. The NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.

“The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Methodist Healthcare Ministries has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

Wesolowski added, “We’re honored to receive this certification from the NCQA that recognizes our work putting our patients and clients at the center of our efforts while continuously building better relationships with our community.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

About National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. In recognition for its leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, NCQA has won the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org or Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.

Clarity Child Guidance Center Breaks Ground on Vital Renovations to Increase Capacity and Improve Care

DW Admin on September 25, 2023

San Antonio, Texas (September 26, 2023) – Clarity Child Guidance Center broke ground during a special ceremony on Wednesday, September 20 on renovations being made possible through its “HEROES: The Campaign for Clarity.” Through the campaign, Clarity is ensuring that every child and family who needs behavioral health services can receive them.

At the ceremony on Clarity’s 8-acre campus in San Antonio, which was attended by nearly 100 guests, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board chair Lavonne Garrison announced that MHM is contributing to Clarity’s capital campaign with a gift of $1 million, furthering their mission of healing young minds and hearts. “Supporting adult and youth mental health has been a long-time priority for MHM and we have been proud to provide community grants to partners across South Texas, like Clarity, who are providing services to the families in their communities, as well as providing services to the patients we serve across our service area,” said Garrison.

Through the Heroes campaign, Clarity will:

Renovate Building 5 into an 8-bed Pediatric Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PPICU) that will provide trauma-informed mental health services to an additional 700 children each year.
Establish a flexible living unit in Building 3 for any age or gender.
Update the kitchen to create an environmentally friendly space to accommodate 125 kids and staff.
Finish out third floor of Outpatient Building to allow for 4,500 more outpatient appointments annually.
Expand the Crisis Services Department to assess an additional 60 kids in crisis per month.
Expand the Next Step Center to increase space and accessibility for families and children who need extended services.

Clarity is the only nonprofit in South Texas providing a continuum of mental health services to children ages 3-17 and their families to manage mental health conditions. With the region’s largest concentration of child and adolescent psychiatrists, it provides inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, emergency room crisis services, care coordination, education and more annually to over 8,000 children in need of care, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

“Clarity Child Guidance Center has seen a dramatic increase in the need for children’s mental health services post pandemic,” said Jessica Knudson, , LCSW, FACHE, CEO and President of Clarity Child Guidance Center. “We are so appreciative to all of our supporters that have helped us kick off our campaign. The $1 million gift from Methodist Healthcare Ministries was pivotal in moving forward with this much needed expansion.“

The U.S. Surgeon General’s recent advisory warned that mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people, with up to 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. having a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder. In Texas, more than 67% of children who need treatment never receive it—even though 25% have onset by age 7—due to three barriers: a lack of service providers where they live; stigma around mental health; and the ability to pay for services.

60 percent of the children served by Clarity are uninsured, underinsured, or low-income, making the organization even more a valuable resource for the community given the barriers that exist in accessing care. The barriers to care compound a troubling trend among area youth. The San Antonio Teen Mental Health Survey conducted in the spring 2022, found that 37% of youth expressed an inability to perform day to day tasks and 49% stated feeling helpless, hopeless, numb, or like nothing matters.

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and San Antonio City Councilman Manny Pelaez (D8) were on hand to speak to the importance of addressing children’s mental health for the betterment of our community. Judge Sakai stated “I’m well aware of the escalating needs in the community and I think the community recognizes that COVID was a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, and it continues. It (the impact of COVID) has been devastating, which means we have to double down and add more resources for mental health to care for those especially those in need.”

Councilman Pelaez added, “I thank God every single day that there are people like the folks who work at Clarity who come to work to make the difference for these kids. I can tell you that there is no doubt in my mind that for the first time ever, you have a city council who, in unison, now speak the language of mental health, trauma-informed care, and making sure that we don’t just deliver streets & sidewalks & parks & drainage facilities and an airport, but also that we’re delivering an ecosystem where everybody has that right to live work and play. And that those who are most brittle and vulnerable can also reclaim that right to live work and play.”

Clarity supports all Bexar County children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are experiencing mental and behavioral disturbances, their families, and their communities. Last year, Clarity experienced a dramatic demand for services, including a 65% increase in inpatient admissions with no previous treatment history, a 27% increase in inpatient hospitalizations and a 159% increase in the use of the Crisis Services Department.

Tony LoBasso, Chief Operating Officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Board Chair for Clarity Child Guidance Center added, “Our kids are our future, and we have to make sure that they have access to care to put the stigma of behavioral health behind and make sure there is a caring environment that they feel they and their family can come to and be served.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Clarity Child Guidance Center:

Founded in 1886, Clarity Child Guidance Center is the only nonprofit in South Texas providing a continuum of mental health services for children ages 3-17 and their families to manage mental health conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder and/or schizophrenia. In keeping with its vision to ensure that every child and family that needs its services receives its services, Clarity maintains a stand-alone mental health hospital on an eight-acre kid-friendly, open campus, with 66-bed, four-unit inpatient hospital with a six-bed Crisis Services unit offering specialized treatment for children. It serves more than 8,000 children annually in need of care, regardless of their family’s ability to pay; the majority of patients are disproportionately low-income. It offers the region’s largest concentration of child and adolescent psychiatrists through onsite affiliations with Southwest Psychiatric Physicians and UT Health San Antonio; it is also a teaching hospital for the esteemed nursing schools of UT Health San Antonio and University of Incarnate Word.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces $500,000 Gift to Harlandale Independent School District for After School Programming

DW Admin on September 19, 2023

San Antonio, TX (September 18, 2023) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced that it is making a $500,000 gift to the Harlandale Independent School District (HISD) during the Special Recognitions Program prior to the HISD School Board meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023. The announcement addresses the school district’s request for support to continue after school care programs for five schools in the district: Schulze Elementary School, Harlandale Middle School, Kingsborough Middle School, S.T.E.M. Early College High School, and Frank Tejeda Academy.

“Partnerships like this are important because we know that health is more than just what happens at a doctor’s visit at one of our clinics. It’s a lifelong journey fueled by supportive relationships, caring communities, and more fair and just opportunities for every person to be the healthiest version of themselves,” said Xochy Hurtado, Chief Operating Officer for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Through this gift, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Harlandale will build a healthier, thriving community by strengthening families, improving health and safety for students and giving parents the peace of mind they need to work and lead happy, healthy families.“

The HISD, like many other school districts across Texas, previously received funding from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). With that funding source depleted, HISD was facing a funding shortage that would lead to 50 percent of its after school programs being cut for the current 2023-2024 school year. These five schools and hundreds of kids would find themselves without access to critical after school care programs and activities that are critical to helping them reach their fullest potential for life.

“This funding is a beacon of hope for our after-school programs, allowing us to provide invaluable support and opportunities to our students,” said Gerardo Soto, Superintendent of Schools at Harlandale Independent School District. “We are deeply appreciative of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ commitment to our community’s education and well-being.”

MHM’s Wesley Health & Wellness Center (WHWC) is located near the HISD and students from the five impacted schools often participate in programming offered at the WHWC. Through this effort, MHM will continue to broaden the definition of healthcare by partnering with HISD, strengthening families, improving the health and safety for the children and giving parents the peace of mind.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Harlandale Independent School District:The Harlandale Independent School District serves about 12,000 students with two traditional high schools, the STEM Early College High School, Frank Tejeda Academy, four middle schools, nine elementary schools, and one alternate campus.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces Three-Year Partnership with VelocityTX

DW Admin on August 10, 2023

SAN ANTONIO (August 9) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced today a three-year partnership with San Antonio-based bioscience innovation center VelocityTX to advance awareness, research, and innovation related to the social determinants of health (SDH).

Speaking at an event organized by Healthcare Think Tank, MHM President & CEO Jaime Wesolowski made the announcement following a keynote address that emphasized the need for greater focus on the role societal factors play in shaping health outcomes. Among the areas discussed were education, socioeconomic status, living conditions, access to care, and environmental factors.

In his address, Wesolowski called for a collaborative effort between healthcare institutions, research organizations, and private industry to tackle the root causes of health disparities, noting the potential of innovative technologies in addressing these critical—but often overlooked—factors that contribute to health and well-being.

Following the presentation, Wesolowski announced the partnership with VelocityTX, a subsidiary of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation. “We are excited for this partnership, which will propel innovation and sustainable solutions at the intersection of business and community impact. MHM and VelocityTX intend to create a hub of innovation that launches improvement in the social determinants of health across communities for years to come.”

A key component of the partnership will be the development of a specialized accelerator tailored to startups that are working to address social determinants of health. Launching in 2024, the program will leverage VelocityTX’s bioscience expertise to source leading innovators from across the country, offering cohort participants access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, personalized pitch coaching, and comprehensive business training.

“Societal factors have a major impact on personal wellbeing, particularly in under-resourced communities,” followed TRTF President and COO Rene Dominguez. “MHM’s vision to improve wellness of the least served makes this partnership particularly mission aligned, and we are excited to see what happens when we focus the lens of innovation toward this critical area of study.”

Operating out of a state-of-the-art Innovation Center located within one of San Antonio’s historically underserved communities, VelocityTX will also oversee ten education sessions designed to highlight the role social determinants of health play in shaping community health. Hosted at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, these sessions aim to raise awareness of SDH among students, healthcare professionals, and the general population. The first session will be held on Tuesday, September 26.

“With a dual focus on education and innovation, this partnership will help translate leading-edge science into positive health outcomes in communities all across South Texas,” Wesolowski stated.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About VelocityTX
VelocityTX is a nonprofit organization established in 2017 as a subsidiary of the Texas Research & Technology Foundation to help early-stage bioscience companies launch innovative breakthroughs that can significantly change and save lives at a global level. The VelocityTX innovation model – connect, support, fund – is designed to accelerate the path to commercialization for companies focused on medical devices, biotech, and healthcare IT. Learn more at VelocityTX.org.

MHM Donates $1.6 Million to Bolster Food Security Across Texas

DW Admin on August 7, 2023

San Antonio, TX (August 7, 2023) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced that it is donating $1,600,000 in emergency funding to bolster food security efforts by the seven food banks serving its 74-county service area across Texas. The funding is a response to the increased demand seen by local food banks because of the reduction in SNAP benefits, ongoing food supply issues, and inflation.

13% of Texas households—1 in 8 Texans—experience food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers food assistance to low-income individuals and in Texas, 79% of SNAP participants are families with children and more than 27% are families with elderly or disabled members. In March, due to the end of pandemic related relief, 3.7 million Texans saw a reduction in SNAP benefits, leading to every single SNAP recipient or household seeing their Lone Star card reduced by at least $95 each month. The average household saw a reduction of $212.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries understands that health is more than what happens in a doctor’s office, but includes the actions necessary to ensure people have access to daily necessities they need to reach their fullest potential for health and life,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Our health equity commitment guides us to partner with families on their journey to become more food secure; and to improve access to healthy and affordable foods through identifying, investing in, and supporting approaches that improve food security in neighborhoods and communities.”

The seven food banks receiving funds serve counties with the highest rates of unemployment as of September 2020. They include: Starr County (18.5% unemployment), Zavala County (17%), Maverick County (16.5%), Jim Wells County (14.7%) and Duval County (14.3%). These counties are home to a large number of families that are food insecure, making the additional support very timely. The funding is unrestricted, allowing each food bank to use in addressing their most urgent needs, including food costs, equipment and refrigeration.

Below is a summary of the funding allocations:

Food Bank	Amount
Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)	$300,000
Coastal Bend Food Bank (Corpus Christi)	$150,000
Concho Valley Regional Food Bank (San Angelo)	$100,000
Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)	$150,000
Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley	$300,000
San Antonio Food Bank	$300,000
South Texas Food Bank (Laredo)	$300,000

Total: $1,600,000

“Thank you, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, for hearing the call and responding! Truly a testament of serving humanity to honor God,” said Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. “The San Antonio Food Bank is proud to partner with MHM on a regional strategy to address food insecurity. Delivering equitable access to nutritious foods not only addresses food insecurity but improves health outcomes for chronic diseases in South Texas. Together we are fighting hunger and feeding hope!”

This funding is a part of the $149.9 million community investment MHM announced in June 2023. Six of the food banks receiving funds are existing MHM Funded Partners, with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent being the newest recipient.

The action follows the organizations’ new strategic plan that includes a commitment to systemic change by supporting approaches and initiatives that disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. These approaches may include convening cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, impacting public policy and state legislative efforts, creating opportunities, eliminating barriers, and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Apart from this funding, MHM’s efforts to advance food security include its advocacy work in Austin. This past legislative session, the MHM Policy & Advocacy team, in partnership with the 60 organizations that make up the Texas Food Policy Network, were successful in advocating and securing new funding for Texas residents experiencing food insecurity. Key wins the group achieved through legislation and budget appropriations include 1) Updating the SNAP Vehicle Asset Test, 2) Increasing funding for available produce; and 3) Eliminating key taxes and fees for Food Banks. These efforts will increase food distribution and remove unnecessary barriers for many Texas households struggling to feed their families.

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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.

Celebrating our 2023 SA Worx Summer Interns

DW Admin on July 27, 2023

For some recent high school graduates, the summer before starting college is filled with days at the pool, spending time with friends, and maybe preparing for their first time living away from home. For Bobbie Campos, oral health intern, summer is an opportunity to learn, grow, and serve her community. Campos is currently completing her second internship with the oral health team at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center as part of the 2023 SA Worx program, where she and other interns are developing lifelong transferrable skills that they can take to any career.

The SA Worx program connects students across San Antonio to internship opportunities with organizations working in their areas of interest. It is an industry-led program that provides educators with student resources to pass along while also creating a reliable source of strong talent across multiple industries here in San Antonio.

MHM has participated in the SA Worx program for over 7 years and continues to be the program’s largest partner with over 28 interns housed in facilities across San Antonio for the 2023 program. Interns at MHM can select an area of interest such as oral health, behavioral health or recreation and work on-site with MHM team members serving our patients and clients.

Interns are also encouraged to attend several workshops that further enhance their experience at MHM while providing professional development opportunities for the students. Workshops covered topics such as Gallup Strengths, where interns learn more about their strongest qualities and how to use them for professional growth.

“It has made me look at my strengths in our strength finders’ workshop, we learn different strategies that help you realize everything that you want to be and everything you’re already good at,” Savanna Rodriguez said. “So that way, you can grow in that area.”

Rodriguez is currently completing her second internship at MHM as a Behavioral Health Intern, an opportunity that has allowed her to grow personally and professionally over the years.

“I have anxiety going in crowds and just sparking up a conversation. But here I’ve learned that you don’t have to be scared because everybody is very welcoming here specifically.” Rodriguez said. “But even if they’re not, I’ve learned that you can be that welcoming person and you can spark up the conversation when somebody else feels nervous.”

MHM’s Talent Management team, consisting of Brittani Dmitriev and Diane Rodriguez, have facilitated the partnership with SA Worx and the internship program. Together, they manage the interns by department and facilitate learning opportunities throughout the duration of the program.

“Seeing the interns that returned from last year to this year, you can definitely see the difference,” Dmitriev said. “They’re very confident in themselves and in the work that they’re doing. It’s giving them experience and it’s also helping them personally just grow, from teenager to young adult.”

The interns are now completing their final week in the internship program as schools preparing to reopen for the upcoming school year. While most of the interns will be returning to complete high school, Bobbie Campos will be starting her first semester at Palo Alto College’s dental program.

“It has inspired me to go into this occupation. I knew I wanted to be in the dental field, but I didn’t know which part.” Bobbie said. “So just getting the experience in the different areas made my mind so set on being a dental hygienist.”

Are you or someone you know interested in the SA Worx program and interning at MHM? Visit the link below to learn more about the SA Worx program and how you can apply for the next cohort:

https://greatersatx.com/sa-worx/programs/internships/

Men’s Health Awareness Month – One Patient’s Access to Care Journey

DW Admin on June 30, 2023

June is recognized as Men’s Health Month across the nation and it’s a time to encourage men everywhere to take a proactive approach to their health and wellbeing. With over 13.2% men over the age of 18 considered to be in poor health, according to the CDC, it’s important to create a space to share stories and resources that emphasize the holistic wellbeing of the men in the communities we serve.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we have a variety of programs and resources to help men along their health journeys. One story from our Wesley Nurse program is a great example of how men can utilize these resources to get access to care for unique issues they face.

On Wednesday nights, Marlene Anders, our Wesley Nurse in Travis County goes to the Lakeway Food Bank where she works with community members to provide food for low-income individuals in her area. As the MHM Wesley Nurse in that area for over nine years, she’s built a network that provides help to each other when needed.

“It’s a system that I just find remarkable because I collaborate with them and sometimes people will come in and say that if you can help them with this, they’ll help you with that,” Marlene said. “It’s a very give and take relationship and it works very well.”

Although Lakeway City is a higher income area with an average household earning around $143,000 per year, according to the U.S. Census (2017-2021), there are still what Marlene calls “pockets of poverty” where people live without access to clean water, plumbing or even showers. These communities are around HWY 62 and Apache Shores where inhabitants are often unseen and sometimes unwanted.

Marlene met one of these community members through working with the Food Bank and happened into a conversation she was not expecting. The man had been a client of the food bank for several years, but she had not had the chance to meet with him yet.

“My badge said I was an RN so he started up this conversation and I could tell he was anxious. I could tell he was in some kind of pain and so he just kind of blurted out his problem,” Marlene said. “And it took me back a little bit because that’s one issue I haven’t come up against and it had me going through all of my knowledge from school.”

The patient noted a strange pain in his groin and trouble urinating which after diagnosing as a testicular hydrocele, Marlene recommended that the patient immediately go to an emergency room.

The patient, who did not have insurance, worked with Marlene to apply to the Travis County Medical Access Program or MAP. Through this process, Marlene also found out that the patient lived in a small lean-to shed in Apache Shores where he did not have access to toilet or shower facilities. The patient also had no access to transportation, making access to care much more difficult. After this process, she met with the patient at Seton Emergency Room after arranging transportation and prior paperwork.

“They ended up calling the security guard on him because they thought he was a homeless person,” Marlene explained. “This is what he’s up against.”

From there, Marlene worked with the patient to undergo an operation that would temporarily relieve the pain and other symptoms by negotiating with the clinic staff to bring down the out-of-pocket costs for the procedure to $84 which she paid using Wesley Nurse special funds. While the procedure was only temporary, she’s still working with the patient to acquire personal transportation and access to a more permanent solution to his health issue.

“It’s an ongoing process,” Marlene said. “Not anything that happens overnight, because they didn’t get into their situation overnight either.”

Marlene, who has been with MHM for ~~over~~ 26 years since she started in 1997, has worked with many patients who face extreme poverty and the biases that come with it. There are over 3.7 million people in Texas living at or below the poverty line and over 5 million individuals without health insurance according to data from Every Texan, formerly the Center of Public Policy Priorities.

“We’ve been talking a lot about health equity and the state where everybody can attain their full potential of health no matter what their circumstances.” Marlene said, reflecting on the experience with the patient. “But we’ve always been doing it. I think that what I do now is the same as what I did back in 1997.”

At MHM, we approach health from a holistic perspective that considers the entire wellbeing of our patients and communities. For more information on men’s health and resources to share, view the links below.

Additional Resources:

Center for Disease Control Men’s Health Fast Stats: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm
My HealthFinder: https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/regular-checkups/men-take-charge-your-health#the-basics-tab

MHM & MHS Announce $1 million fundraising goal for 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s

DW Admin on June 26, 2023

San Antonio (Jun. 26, 2023) – The Alzheimer’s Association of San Antonio and South Texas proudly announced that Jamie Wesolowski and Dan Miller will serve as co-chairs for the 2023 San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®. The annual event will take place at Fiesta Texas, Saturday, October 21, 2023. The two organizations have set a goal of raising $1 million dollars for this year’s Walk. Currently the San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s is in the Top 30 out of over 620 Walks nationwide. This year’s goal is to be in the Top 10.

In addition to the fundraising goal, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Methodist Healthcare Ministries have jointly agreed to be the Walk’s Presenting sponsor and donating $150,000, which is the largest sponsorship in the Walk’s history nationwide.

“Together with Methodist Healthcare, we are proud to have jointly sponsored this event and the Alzheimer’s Association – San Antonio for many years and it’s a great way to combine our efforts for such a worthy cause,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “The inspiration and strength our team members receive from their family, friends and colleagues who have been touched by this disease, really powers us forward.”

“Methodist Healthcare System is committed to not only raising money to find a cure for this devastating disease, but also working together with our doctors and staff to educate our community about the signs and symptoms and resources the Alzheimer’s Association has to offer,” added Dan Miller, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare System. “No one should fight this disease alone.”

Two special guests, Sean Elliott and Claudia Zapata-Elliott, MS, RD, who have served as community brand ambassadors for Methodist Healthcare since 2018, were on hand to speak about their personal connection to this disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The San Antonio Walk has over 5,000 attendees annually and it brings together all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias throughout Bexar County and the surrounding community.

“We are honored and beyond thrilled to have not one but two incredible leaders in these key roles for the San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Gregory Sciuto, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association San Antonio and South Texas Chapter. “Methodist Healthcare and Methodist Healthcare Ministries have been key partners for over 5 years and their unmistakable commitment is evident being a presenting Sponsor, having system wide Walk Teams and most importantly working with us to educate their staff and patients about Alzheimer’s and all Dementias and making sure they can access our resources.”

On Walk Day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease.

Currently the San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s is in the Top 30 out of over 640 Walks nationwide. This year’s goal is to be in the Top 10. More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Texas alone, more than 400,000 Texans are living with the disease and over 1,000,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare is a 50-50 co-ownership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., South Texas’ largest non-public funding source of community health care for uninsured patients; and HCA Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services. This creates a unique partnership that ensures Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to benefit the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. Methodist Healthcare invested $756 million in charity and indigent care to the community in 2020 alone. With 30 facilities, including nine hospitals and eight freestanding emergency departments, over 685,000 inpatients and outpatients are served annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 12,500, making the system the second largest private employer in San Antonio. With more than 3,400 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. And with 25 surgical robots, Methodist Healthcare is a national leader in robotic surgery, as well as home to the nation’s largest Live Donor Kidney Transplant program. Visit SAHealth.com to learn more.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’sis the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association^®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

MHM invests nearly $150 million to advance health equity across South Texas

DW Admin on June 14, 2023

San Antonio, TX June 14, 2023) – In 2023, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is investing $149.9 million to advance health equity and strengthen communities across its 74-county service area. That amount includes direct services, community investments, the development of community partnerships and advocacy initiatives that create a more level playing field for individuals to thrive. The organization’s 2023 commitment represents an increase of 25% from its 2022 investment.

That $149.9 million propels a strategic focus on advancing health equity, the framework of thought and action guiding the organization’s efforts to address systemic inequities and socio-economic barriers that keep people from living their healthiest lives.

“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are broadening the definition of health care through invaluable partnerships with vital community-focused agencies across Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ shines more brightly when reflected through the bold vision, leadership and hard work of our board of directors, 475+ team members and partners caring for our communities in ways are uniquely positioned to do to advance health equity in our 74-county service area.”

MHM’s mission also includes its one-half ownership of Methodist Healthcare—the largest healthcare system in South Texas. The ownership structure ensures Methodist Healthcare continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all, and earnings to MHM to care for the uninsured and economically disadvantaged throughout South Texas.

To ensure the organization delivers on its mission, vision, and strategy; its $149.9M is allocated across several key areas of investment at MHM: Grants, Strategic Operating Initiatives, Direct Services and administrative costs that support these initiatives. To ensure its investment carries the highest level of community impact, MHM has consistently kept its administrative expenses under 15%—required to receive the highest possible points from Charity Navigator for analysis.

Grants:

MHM has allocated $43.8 million in community grants to over 130 nonprofit agencies across its 74-county service area. The grants are rooted in partnerships that support access to care, integrated delivery systems and patient-centered models. MHM’s goal is to create measurable impact at the community and regional levels to further establish health care networks.

MHM aims to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting organizations that address the community conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and pray. Grant recipients in 2023 address one of the following priority areas: access to care – mental and behavioral health; access to care – general; digital inclusion and broadband infrastructure; food security; housing; education and workforce development.

MHM allocated funding to over 138 grant programs to deepen collaborative efforts, incentivize quality health outcomes, leverage and strengthen health care delivery systems and promote sustainable systems change. Click here to see our 2023 funded partners.

Of the more than 130 community investment grant recipients in 2023, 40% were first-time recipients for MHM, meaning the process was successful in creating new opportunities for organizations in need of support. Fourteen percent are focused on addressing issues that are upstream, meaning MHM is intentionally addressing conditions and circumstances that affect the health and well-being of patients and clients before they might reach out to MHM, or its partners, for assistance. Sixteen percent of grant recipients represent rural communities, furthering efforts to support organizations outside of urban areas.

An example of how MHM supports its funded partners is Community Health Development, Inc. (CHDI) in Uvalde, TX which will receive $1,380,527 to construct a new facility in Real County to expand its current services and provide additional support staff and medical, dental, and behavioral health providers. CHDI’s “Expanding Access to Comprehensive Care in Uvalde and Real Counties” project focuses on efforts to increase its capacity. For over 39 years, CHDI has been committed to providing the highest level of quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to those in greatest need in Uvalde. However, barriers, such as the recruitment and retention of qualified staff at all levels and disciplines in Uvalde, as well as facility limitations in Real County, have kept the agency from serving more people in need. Through this community investment, CHDI will be able to address its two most significant challenges and advance health equity in the communities they serve.

“CHDI is honored to have had MHM as a partner supporting our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve since 2009,” said Mayela Castañon, CEO of Community Health Development, Inc. “MHM’s partnership over the years has enabled CHDI to increase access to dental services in Uvalde, and with this investment, CHDI will build a new 8,000 square foot state-of-the-art primary care center in Leakey to expand access to medical and dental care, ensuring that thousands have access to affordable dental care. CHDI is extremely grateful to have MHM as a community partner that demonstrates a significant commitment to improving community health, especially in rural areas!!”

Strategic Operating Initiatives:

In addition to the annual grants to partners, MHM has allocated nearly $21 million toward strategic initiatives that amplify its overall strategic goals and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. MHM is investing in approaches that address the root causes of poverty and health inequities, such as cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, policy/legislative action eliminating barriers and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families and communities. Examples of the types of initiatives MHM is investing in include: economic mobility, access to clean water, community-led collaboration initiatives and efforts to close the digital divide.

Direct Services

Creating access to care through the provision of clinical services has always been key to the organization’s mission. MHM operates two San Antonio-based primary health care clinics: Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and two school-based health centers: George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary. The clinics address the needs of low-income families and the uninsured by providing services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale. The health care services MHM provides are a cornerstone of its charitable purpose of creating access to care. Additionally, MHM offers health care services and programs throughout its 74-county service area including community counseling services, Community Health Worker program, Get FIT prevention program, parenting support groups and Wesley Nurse program.

Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.5 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

About Energage Making the world a better place to work together.TM

Proposition 2 – Childcare facilities

Proposition 4 – Property taxes / school funding

Proposition 6 – Texas Water Fund

Proposition 8 – Broadband infrastructure fund

Proposition 10 – Medical and biomedical products

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

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