Author: DW Admin

San Antonio (May 31, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced the addition of five new members to its board of directors. New board members will begin their three-year term in June, guiding the nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving the well-being of the least served since 1995.  

“Serving on this board has been and continues to be one of the most incredible blessings and opportunities of my life,” said Dr. Michael Lane, current Chair of the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are excited to welcome these outstanding and gifted individuals to our board. They are joining at a critical time and their insights will be instrumental to implementing our strategy which is focused on advancing health equity.” 

The five new board members include: 

• Michael Bacon, CFRE, a senior-level development and external relations executive for Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. 
• Erika Prosper Nirenberg, the senior Director of Customer Insights at H-E-B 
• Jacqueline Pugh, MD, Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at South Texas Veterans Health Care System and a faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Medical School 
• Erica T. Sosa, PhD., an Associate Professor in Public Health and the Associate Dean for Research in UTSA’s College for Health Community and Policy 
• Pendleton B. Wickersham, MD, a physician and partner in the San Antonio-based Arthritis Associates 

Dr. Wickersham is returning to serve on the board of Methodist Healthcare Ministries after previously serving from 2012 to 2021. The other four members are new to the board, but have longstanding relationships with the organization and the scope of work it does across South Texas.  

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Board plays an important role in setting the direction and goals for the organization to advance a more level playing field for health in 74 counties across Texas. Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.4 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. As 50-50 co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, MHM board members play an important oversight role in the governance of the healthcare system ensuring it provides quality care to all regardless of ability to pay. The earnings from the co-ownership of the health system allows Methodist Healthcare Ministries to fund efforts that strengthen communities and families, provide clinical care to the uninsured and the economically disadvantaged, and promotes a more level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come. 

Board members serve three-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms. In addition to serving on the general board, they also serve on one standing committee, such as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Mission Committee and Operations Committee. The board currently has 25 members and can have no more than 27 board members at a given time. The board bylaws also dictate that at least 60 percent of the Regular Directors be members of The United Methodist Church. 

“As we continue our efforts to advance health equity throughout the communities we serve, we will be better informed and inspired by the leadership these new board members bring to our organization,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Their unique talents and the breadth of their expertise will be critical for us in the coming years as we strive to improve the lives of the least served so all have an opportunity to thrive.” 

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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. 

San Antonio (May 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced that it is providing the Housing First Community Coalition (HFCC) $250,000 in funding to support the Towne Twin Village project on San Antonio’s east side. Once completed, Towne Twin Village will be the first single-site Permanent Supportive Housing provider in the San Antonio community for individuals experiencing homelessness.  

“The Housing First Community Coalition is doing an incredible job bringing individuals and organizations together to address homelessness in our community and Methodist Healthcare Ministries stands ready to join the movement,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “This funding embodies our commitment to health equity by supporting initiatives that help to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life.” 

In June of 2019, HFCC targeted a 17.3-acre vacant parcel of land at 4711 Dietrich Rd. Within 5 months, HFCC raised $1.2 million to acquire and rezone the property. Since then, HFCC has worked diligently to raise funds for Phase 1 development of the project, totaling over $12.3 million from government and philanthropic support. Towne Twin Village will be the first single-site Permanent Supportive Housing provider in the San Antonio community for homeless individuals. The Village will provide 205 units of safe and comfortable affordable housing combined with intensive support services tailored to the specific needs and desires of each resident. 

“The homelessness situation is a can we have been kicking down the road for far too long,” said Mark Wittig, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Health First Community Coalition. “With this gift from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are creating a model that can serve the homeless with dignity and make a statement that something good can be done.”

Housing is an important determinant of health. Research has shown that housing stability, quality, and affordability influence health outcomes just as much as the physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods and communities.  

“We know that health is more than what happens in a clinic,” added Wesolowski. “It’s determined by where people work, play, pray, and age—all of which is heavily influenced by where people live. This project is a critical piece to ensuring we expand the ways we impact healthcare to include supporting the social determinants of health and the vital community conditions that so often determine long-term well-being.” 

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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.

McAllen, Texas (April 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced a new partnership with Texas A&M University School of Public Health to conduct a two-year study of arsenic and other toxic contaminants that occur in residential drinking water within border colonia communities in the Rio Grande Valley. The event highlighted the importance of a new partnership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University as they work together to address and potentially reduce health disparities, as exposure to toxic contaminants disproportionately affects underserved and low-resourced populations in Texas border communities that depend on unsafe drinking water sources. 

The projects aim to test and capture measurements of existing health risks of exposure to water contaminants, develop solutions for how to reduce the risk of exposure for communities near where contaminated water is found, collect important data for the community that can be used to implement the necessary solutions and train the next generation of citizen scientists and cultivate a love of learning science for students in South Texas.

“According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, in just six Texas counties along the Texas-Mexico border, 38,000 colonia residents do not have access to clean drinking water,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Clean and safe water is an essential component to good health. We are proud that through this partnership with Texas A&M, we will be helping these vital communities safeguard their water and health, ensuring they all have an opportunity to thrive.”

“Through this partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are helping Texas take a big step forward ensuring everyone in South Texas has access to a fundamental need for good health: clean and reliable drinking water,” said Greg Hartman, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Texas A&M University.

The Arsenic Surveillance in Border Communities’ Drinking Water project is a study conducting arsenic surveillance in border communities’ drinking water. The main themes are how to increase public awareness of arsenic exposure in local communities; how to identify individuals at risk for arsenic-induced cancers; and providing a prevention intervention to reduce arsenic exposure in border communities. The primary objectives include 1) evaluating the burden of arsenic exposure in drinking water, 2) evaluating the nutritional status and biomarkers to predict health impacts of chronic arsenic exposure; and 3) assessing the impact of an intervention to reduce arsenic exposure in households using tabletop pitchers. The communities being studied will include households within four colonias and the findings will be compared to those from non-colonia areas, with priority focus being based in Hidalgo County.

“Arsenic exposure from contaminated drinking water increases the risks of diverse cancers and non-cancer diseases,” said Taehyun Roh, PhD, assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Public Health. “Underserved and low-resourced populations relying on unsafe drinking water sources in Texas border communities are disproportionately affected by this. We expect our study will contribute to reducing health disparities in these communities.”

The second Citizen Science focused project will examine the role of community characteristics, knowledge and a locally engaged and trained resident population on water security and common resilience in Texas border communities. The primary objectives are to 1) develop/test adapted Citizen Science training materials, 2) create a field team to conduct the work in the community, 3) conduct focus group meetings to identify community-based water policy steps; and 4) pilot dissemination of citizen science activities to a second border community to help inform future projects. The primary community being studied is the San Carlos area colonias in Hidalgo County due to strong existing relationships that are vital to developing the project’s proof of concept. A second border community will be selected in consultation with Methodist Healthcare Ministries and other key stakeholders to pilot test information dissemination to other border communities.

“This project seeks to instill a love of science and learning with high school students and community members and provide an in-depth assessment of local needs centered on water quality and public health matters,” said Garett Sansom, DrPH, research assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. “We are thrilled to be co-learning with our partners to seek long-term solutions to these complex issues.”

Once the projects are completed in 2024, the findings will be used to create and advocate for public policy solutions aimed at improving the quality of water in some of the most underdeveloped areas in South Texas. The project is a vital first step in creating a proof-of-concept that will then be applied throughout the Texas-Mexico border to improve the lives of these often overlooked communities.

The projects are great examples of how important the long-standing relationship between Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University has been as they continue to work together to address and reduce health disparities. These initiatives seek to create a foundation for safer, stronger communities that have the resources they need to thrive. The two organizations have previously collaborated on several different programs including a Colonia Program Training Academy, a Community Health Worker Resiliency Program and Diabetes Prevention Program. 

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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 Texas A&M University Health Science Center:

Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) comprises five colleges (dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health) and several centers and institutes with a shared mission of advancing health care for all. We serve the state and beyond with campuses and locations in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Learn more at health.tamu.edu or follow @TAMUHealth on Twitter.

If you live in San Antonio, then you know Fiesta is right around the corner – it kicks off March 31 through April 10. This means, it’s time to unveil another beautiful Methodist Healthcare Ministries Fiesta medal.

Our 2022 Fiesta medal design highlights our commitment to supporting resilient families and thriving communities by advancing health equity across South Texas. As you turn the dial on your Fiesta medal, you’ll see through a heart-shaped window which beautifully illustrates our passion for serving our communities. Inside the heart-shaped window, you’ll see different icons symbolizing our services and programs, including:

• The Stethoscope: Providing high-quality clinical care services for patients
• The Community: Contributing to overall health and well-being of communities through long-term collaboration
• The Church: Building relationships with churches and faith communities of all denominations to advance health and well-being
• The Handshake: Partnering with others to lead efforts to improve community health and well-being
• The Plant: Strengthening underserved communities through strategic grant-making
• The Family: Supporting resilient individuals and families

Giveaway Alert

As a special treat, we are giving one of medals away to a lucky follower through a social media giveaway!

The rules to enter are:

• Like our posts on Facebook and Instagram
• Follow @MHMSTX on Facebook and Instagram
• Tag a fiesta-loving friend (each tag is one entry)

The giveaway will end on Friday, April 1 at 11:59 PM. We will announce the winner on Monday, April 4 via the comments section on the post on Facebook and Instagram! 

We’re excited to celebrate Fiesta 2022! Stay safe, everyone!

¡Viva Fiesta!

March 15, 2022 (San Antonio, TX): Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas , Inc. and the Rio Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church announces the appointment of Rev. Dr. Aaron A.  Gonzalez to the role of director of church connections and spiritual care at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The appointment comes after the current director Rev. Mickey McCandless—who served in the position for over a decade—announced his plans to retire later this June.

“We celebrate Rev. McCandless for the faithful service he has provided to both the Rio Texas Conference and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. His leadership within both institutions has been instrumental,” said Bishop Robert Schnase. “Rev. McCandless has paved a solid foundation for Rev. Gonzalez to embark upon as he steps into this new role. We look forward to continuing the good works Mickey was so pivotal in shaping with the Rio Texas Conference with Aaron.”

Rev. Gonzalez currently serves as Pastor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. He joined the organization in 2015 under Rev. McCandless’ leadership. In his current role, Rev. Gonzalez provides pastoral care and counseling for all team members and to patients and clients served at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ primary care clinics. As Director, Rev. Gonzalez will serve as a member of the organization’s executive team and primary liaison to Rio Texas Conference. Prior to joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Rev. Gonzalez served as Pastor at Resurrection United Methodist Church and Shepherd’s Gate Community Church in San Antonio.

“We at MHM have been incredibly blessed to have had Rev. McCandless’ counsel and fellowship for the last ten years,” stated Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ CEO Jaime Wesolowski. “The work he has done to strengthen our organizational culture and the connections we have to the faith community across all denominations in South Texas has been invaluable, and we feel incredibly fortunate that Rev. Gonzalez will step into this role and continue building up our ministries in all the communities we serve.”

According to Wesolowski, the director of church connections & spiritual care position is distinct within the organization as it is appointed by the Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference.

“The collaboration with the Bishop is exceptional and underscores the importance of our connection to the church,” stated Wesolowski.

For 27 years Methodist Healthcare Ministries has created access to care for the underserved in South Texas through direct services, public policy analysis and research, strategic grantmaking and community partnerships. Its history goes back much further to 1955 when the former Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church established a charter creating the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital—that hospital would eventually become Methodist Hospital. Later in 1995 the Methodist Hospital’s Board of Trustees formed a 50-50 partnership between HCA Healthcare which created the Methodist Healthcare System. The hospital’s board of trustees also transformed into the Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors which continues to operate under the first charter issued by the former Southwest Texas Conference [now known as the Rio Texas Conference], as amended.

Bishop Schnase underscored the importance of the relationship. “The ministries which have been made possible for the least served in communities across South Texas through the pastors and churches within the Rio Texas Conference that work alongside Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a tribute to the promise John Wesley asked us as faithful followers of Christ to make. Truly through our shared history and connection, we are doing all the good we can in all the ways we can. I know Rev. Gonzalez has a servant leader’s heart and through his leadership within the Conference—and certainly in his new role at Methodist Healthcare Ministries—will be marked by grace and love for Christ at the center of his work.”

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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.

UPDATED February 3, 2022 at 4:00 pm (San Antonio, Texas):  Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries operations will close at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3.

All San Antonio clinic operations and programming will delay opening until 10:00 a.m on Friday, February 4 for uninterrupted service to our patients. The corporate office building will be closed but team members will continue operations virtually observing routine business operating hours.  Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow their local school districts to determine needed operational adjustments or closures. Community members are instructed to call their local Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ contact regarding guidance on programs and services via our social media channels and website.

We will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions. If road closures or conditions become unsafe for travel we will send additional guidance on operational adjustments.  The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates. 

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February 3, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas):  Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries San Antonio area locations will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary, Wesley Nurse sites and our Corporate Office. 

Clinic operations on Friday, February 4 will resume as normal, but we will monitor local weather for changes. 

Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services. 

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates. 

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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.

January 25, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas):  Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. was proud to host a virtual panel discussion on the future of health in San Antonio, hosted by DreamWeek / DreamVoice on Monday, January 24, 2022.  The conversation with community leaders about the future of healthcare in San Antonio. Topics included moving from a downstream approach to addressing community conditions, how technology is changing the delivery of care and what is needed to ensure the digital divide does not hinder access to tele-health, and how the mindset, perspective and practice of current and future healthcare providers will be foundational to establishing a healthcare environment that is reflective of the diverse communities they serve. 

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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.

January 19, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas):  Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries San Antonio area locations will close early at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary, Wesley Nurse sites and our Corporate Office. 

Patients who had existing appointments after 2 p.m. will be rescheduled. 

Clinic operations on Friday, January 21 will resume virtually. Patients will be contacted with information regarding their telehealth appointment. 

Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services. 

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates. 

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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.

December 15, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): All Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, December 23 and Friday, December 24. Operations will resume on Monday, December 27.

Our offices and facilities will also be closed on Friday, December 31. Operations will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Have a safe Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

SAN ANTONIO, November 24, 2021 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. provided 192 low-income families with ready-made Thanksgiving meals by distributed by a drive-thru at the organization’s Wesley Health & Wellness Center on the South side of San Antonio. The food was distributed throughout the week from Monday, November 22 through Wednesday, November 25.

"At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are blessed beyond measure and honored to continue this annual tradition that brings so much joy to our patients, clients and team members,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “During a year of such challenge and change, we are especially grateful to all our team and board members, partners, patients and clients whose remarkable resilience and sacrifices to give above and beyond themselves have strengthened thriving communities across South Texas.”

Recipients were selected based on need and identified by the organization’s medical, dental, behavioral health, parenting program and recreation & enrichment teams. Each was scheduled for a specific pick-up date & time. The food boxes contained a fully cooked, and deboned turkey, family-sized portions of mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn bread, rolls, a gallon of iced tea and pie for dessert, as well as re-heating instructions.

This year’s food distribution replaced the organization’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for the community, which was cancelled for the second year in a row in an effort to continue practicing social distancing and minimize the spread of COVID-19. The annual tradition began in 2009 and is a further testament to the organization’s commitment to providing a service and meeting a need for the community it serves.