Tag: Blog

Students perform better when they show up for class healthy and ready to learn. The School-Based Health Alliance also reports adolescents who received counseling services in a school-based health center significantly decreased their absenteeism and tardiness.

The School-Based Health Alliance named the month of February National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month. MHM joined the national celebration by hosting an Open House Event at our Schertz Elementary School Based Health Center (SBHC) location.

“SBHCs lead the way in providing preventive healthcare services for children and adolescents. In communities such as Schertz and Marion these centers are imperative to the health of our youth. The lack of healthcare centers in this rural area is troubling. Our hope, with our two SBHCs, is to fill that void,” explains Marilyn Stanton-White, Director of Clinics and Behavioral Health Services at MHM.

On February 20^th, the SBHC at Schertz Elementary opened its doors for an Open House. The Open House provided a chance for SBHC team members to come together to celebrate National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month while meeting with community members to discuss the services provided through the two MHM owned and operated SBHCs. 

Danna Dyess, RN
Wesley Nurse, First United Methodist Church
Seguin, Texas

Did you know, according to the American Diabetes Association^®, every seventeen seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes? United States Hispanics are almost two times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic Whites. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently projected that one in three adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. 

I believe education is fundamental in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in our communities. Knowledge about preventive health measures and how to manage individual needs is an important component to a person’s overall wellbeing. This is why I’m excited to continue my partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Guadalupe County through an upcoming educational series. Along with the Institute for Public Health and Education Research, we will offer Schertz area residents a free five-week class called 'Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes'. 

The educational sessions are open to anyone living with Type 2 diabetes or caring for some who has diabetes. Attendees will learn how to better manage their Type 2 diabetes and how to reduce possible complications. Classes will cover many pertinent topics, including: nutrition; diabetes and exercise; managing glucose; and medications.

Classes will be held at the Schertz United Methodist Church on Mondays starting on March 3, 2014 and will continue until March 31, 2014.

My hope is that participants leave with a better understanding of the disease and, in turn, pass that knowledge on into the community.

Learn more at http://guadalupe.agrilife.org/guadalupe-county-do-well-be-well-with-diabetes/.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million people, or 8.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. More startling, San Antonio’s diabetic population stands at 14 percent!

Beyond MHM’s direct healthcare services, MHM has taken an active role in supporting the American Diabetes Association®’s goal of ending the devastating toll diabetes takes on the lives of the millions of individuals and families across our nation.

Step Out Walk to STOP Diabetes was launched by the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) in 1991 and is the Association’s largest signature fundraising event.

MHM has been a proud sponsor of the event since 2008, including participating in the walk alongside clients of MHM’s health education program. Last year, Juan Gonzalez, clinic manager, led the team—dubbed “MHM Challengers”—which is comprised of MHM staff, clients and community members. On Saturday, November 2, 2013, the MHM Challengers took to the track at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas in support of the stopping diabetes. Collectively, the 116-member team raised $1,498.50. This paired with MHM’s promise to match all funds raised by the team, brought the MHM Challengers fundraising total to $2,997.00.

“MHM’s sponsorship of the ADA Step Out Walk to STOP Diabetes signifies our commitment to improving the overall health of the communities we serve,” explains Jessica Muñoz-Sherfey, Director of Communications at MHM. 

MHM is proud to be a bronze sponsor of the American Lung Association (ALA) Fight For Air 5K Run/Walk being held at SeaWorld in San Antonio on Saturday, April 26, 2014. 

The ALA saves lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Asthma is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult for millions of people, children and adults alike. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed and treated. According to the ALA, in 2011 it was estimated that 25.9 million Americans had asthma, including 7.1 million children under the age of 18. What’s more, San Antonio has twice the national average for teens that start smoking!

MHM’s team, Bulldogs for Better Breathing, will be participating in the Fight For Air 5K Run/Walk for the fifth consecutive year. In 2013, the 56-member team won the award for top fundraising school with over $1,000 collected. The Bulldogs are eager to meet the challenge again with a fundraising goal of $1,200 for 2014. “The event provides an opportunity for the families of MHM’s School Based Health Centers, serving the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, to gather for a time of fellowship while giving back to their community,” explains team captain Wanda Thiele.

Participants may run or walk 3.1 miles throughout the SeaWorld park grounds during the event. In addition, a health fair will be available to provide additional information about the ALA and asthma on the day of the event.

The ALA believes healthy lungs and healthy air are worth fighting for—so do we! Will you join us in the Fight For Air? To register for the team or to donate to the Bulldogs, click here.

For more information about the ALA, visit: www.lung.org.

Sandi McKinney, RN
Wesley Nurse, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
San Antonio, Texas

As an MHM Wesley nurse, I develop and lead programs designed to make lasting change in the lives of the people I serve at St. Paul United Methodist Church in San Antonio. I frequently create programs for parents and children to help improve their physical and mental health. Recently, I conducted a special class about fire safety.

I enjoy giving the children in my programs a takeaway when they complete the safety class, but I didn’t have any educational items to facilitate this particular class. As I spoke with my downstairs neighbor Carmen De Luna-Jones, the director of the Alamo Colleges GED program, about this dilemma, an interesting thing happened – fate stepped in. Carmen had a friend, Jody Orozco, who founded, Rudy’s Angels, an organization in memory of Rudy Alejos, a six-year old boy who died in a 2011 San Antonio apartment fire. Jody was looking for a group of children that could benefit from the hope and love of Rudy’s Angels. The Holy Spirit has a way of making these connections, especially when we least expect them.

With the generous support of Rudy’s Angels, 60 children were surprised to receive bike safety helmets after completing the safety program. The generosity didn’t end there. A survey of the group was done to determine which children owned a bike of their own. Then, Rudy’s Angels blessed the children again by purchasing 23 bicycles for those in need. The bicycle giveaway occurred at St. Paul’s and was attended by Jody Orozco, Carmen De Luna-Jones and MHM Community Health Worker, Rosa Ovalle. The team was thrilled to see the joy of the children; a mission accomplished.

“Miss, miss, I’ve never had a bicycle,” one girl excitedly told me as she received her new bike. I recall another five-year old boy was overwhelmed with tears upon receipt of a brand new bicycle. The bicycle giveaway was one of the best things that I’ve been a part of here at MHM. We are blessed to teach, reach and embrace so many wonderful people. The children and adults were humbled by the gifts, left in memory of a small boy named Rudy.

About Rudy’s Angels:

The memory of six-year old Rudy Alejos lives on through Rudy’s Angels, an organization designed to honor the child who died in a 2011 San Antonio apartment fire that displaced more than 70 residents. The group brings hope and love to other local children through donations and special events. 

In coordination with Methodist Healthcare, MHM hosted a HeartCheck® Health Fair at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Methodist Healthcare provided free screenings to include a complete lipid profile, blood pressure check, glucose check, body mass index (BMI) assessment, diabetes and nutrition education, and an ‘Ask a Registered Nurse’ booth.

Members of MHM’s Family Wellness Programs provided a hands-on demonstration of exercise classes available at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center while other team members hosted resource tables to inform fair-goers of programs and services available through MHM.

A total of 70 participants were screened as part of the two-hour health fair. Of those 70, over half were shown to have a cholesterol reading higher than 200, a BMI above the recommend 18.5-25 and a blood pressure reading above the recommended 120/80.

“The results of the day clearly illustrate how important these fairs are to residents of the community. Once community members have a better understanding of their current health condition they are better able to take control of their individual health and that of their family. It is our goal at MHM to offer our clients and the communities in which we serve, opportunities to improve their health and create access to care when needed,” explains Jessica Muñoz-Sherfey, Director of Communications at MHM.

All event staff volunteered their time to take part in the HealthCheck® Health Fair at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center.

Group goes to Peter Piper Pizza and the San Antonio Children's Museum

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a component of MHM's Parenting Programs, and is designed to help parents with children under the age of three recognize their children's development milestones in order to prepare them for school and to support their overall health and well-being. PAT is based on the belief that the early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life, and that parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. 

In addition to their regularly scheduled home visits, PAT hosts annual family field trips as a benefit to program participants. 

"Since PAT is a home visitation program, this field trip affords parents the opportunity to meet with other parents in the program. It's a great experience for all involved. The parents are able to forge connections with other care givers in the community, children get to explore the educational amenities San Antonio has to offer, and MHM team members are able to witness, first-hand the impacts of their work; it's an important time for all of us," explains Ericka J. Lima, Parenting Programs Coordinator. 

In September, PAT participants along with two Meld Growing Families groups took part in a family field trip to the San Antonio Children's Museum and Peter Piper Pizza. PAT parents and children, and MHM team members came together to celebrate the successes of the program and strengthen their bonds as parents and guardians. In the end, a total of approximately 50 families attended the field trip.  

Join in on the fun by viewing photos from the Meld Family Field Trip on Facebook. For more information on the Parenting Programs at MHM, contact info@mhm.org. 

Congratulations to our 2013 Spirit of Excellence Winners

Congratulations to these team members for being selected as the 2013 Spirit of Excellence Award recipients. These individuals were selected from among the winners of the Excellence Achiever of the Quarter awards for 2013. Their demonstration of the MHM core values and upholding of excellence in all they do on behalf of MHM has earned them this recognition.

• Top (left to right): Amada Perez, Parenting Programs (Community Programs); Vanessa Adame, Information Technology & Services (Administration)
• Bottom (left to right): Jacqueline Mercado, Behavioral Health Services (Behavioral Health/Nutrition); Christopher Cruz, Medical Services (Clinic Operations); Catalina-Schultz-Kraft, Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™

All winners will be featured on the organization’s website and social media networks, and will receive a crystal desktop clock. In addition, these winners will receive a voucher for one full-day off to use at their discretion , with supervisor/manager approval.

Congratulations to our 4th Quarter Excellence Rock Stars

These individuals were nominated by their peers, and selected by the MHM Board of Directors for their demonstration of the MHM core values, and for being pillars of excellence in all they do on behalf of MHM.

These winners will receive a desktop award and a certificate signed by MHM's President & CEO and the Board's Personnel Committee Chair; winners will also be featured on the organization's website and social media networks.

All winners will also receive a certificate for leave of one-half day (4 hours) to be used at the choosing of the award winner, approved by the supervisor or manager. Finally, all Excellence Achiever of the Quarter winners will be eligible to win the annual MHM 'Spirit of Excellence' award to be presented at the December team member Christmas party.

Please join us in celebrating their achievement!

4th Quarter Excellence Rock Stars:

• Vanessa Adame, Support Technician/Help Desk (Administration)
• Catalina Schultz-Kraft, Staff Development Specialist (Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™)
• Christopher Cruz, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Coordinator (Clinic Operations)
• Rosalee Guzman, Administrative Assistant(Community Programs)

Congratulations to our 3rd Quarter Excellence Rock Stars

These individuals were nominated by their peers, and selected by the MHM Board of Directors for their demonstration of the MHM core values, and for being pillars of excellence in all they do on behalf of MHM.

These winners will receive a desktop award and a certificate signed by MHM’s President & CEO and the Board’s Personnel Committee Chair; winners will also be featured on the organization’s website and social media networks.

All winners will also receive a certificate for leave of one-half day (4 hours) to be used at the choosing of the award winner, approved by the supervisor or manager. Finally, all Excellence Achiever of the Quarter winners will be eligible to win the annual MHM ‘Spirit of Excellence’ award to be presented at the December team member Christmas party.

Please join us in celebrating their achievement!

3rd Quarter Excellence Rock Stars:

• Wanda Thiele, Registered Nurse (Clinic Operations)
• Nereida Valdez, Behavioral Health & Social Work Supervisor (Behavioral Health Services)
• Amanda Perez, Parenting Programs Coordinator (Community Programs)
• Lilly Cardenas, Executive Assistant (Administration)

Beth Ann Scarth, RN
Wesley Nurse, First United Methodist Church
Mason, Texas

Children are near and dear to the hearts of so many. The prospect of harm or injury to a child can transform a seemingly tame parent into a ferocious lion. Upholding the safety and protection of children is the driving force for Kristy Powell, County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences of Mason County, and me.

For the second time this year, Kristy and I partnered to bring a Texans in Motion Car Seat Safety Inspection event to Mason, Texas. Part of Scott & White Healthcare, Texans in Motion Seat Safety program provides certified technicians to offer consumer and public education initiatives.

On Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, Leslie Stark, CPSTI, Project Coordinator with Texans in Motion, and Sherri Cabrera educated parents, grandparents and guardians on child passenger safety. Car seats were inspected for proper installation as well as general wear and tear. Car seats that were found to be outdated or not meeting the child safety seat standards were replaced. Parents and caregivers attended the event with their children so all could actively participate in the installation of the car seats or booster seats and learn of the perils of improper use. 

In all, 32 participants received instruction and a total of 18 child safety seats were provided by Texans in Motion Car Seat Safety program.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 9,000 children and adolescents, from birth to 19, died from unintentional injuries in the United States in 2009 with motor vehicle crashes listed as the number one preventable child injury. Car seats were noted to be either installed incorrectly or used incorrectly or not at all. One of my hopes serving as part of MHM’s Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™ program is to play a small, but significant part in the safety and protection of our children.