Blog – Page 17 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

T’was the Day before Christmas at Wesley Health & Wellness Center Dental Clinic

DW Admin on December 21, 2012

By Michele Bishop, DDS

T’was the day before Christmas and all through the clinic
The headpieces were whirling and the suctions were gurgling.

The patients in the waiting room were seated 4 rows deep
In hopes that someone would say it was time for their appointment to keep.

The assistants were huddled with Tina and Jess
As they were given dental awards like who was best dressed.

And Kathi in her office (HAHA) and I in my hat
And Dr. Brown who had just settled in for his lunch time nap.

When out on the old court there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my nicely heated office to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore down the “Por favor no abri” sign
And threw up the sash.

The glare on the beams of the half erected structure
Made me wince and curse this construction were under.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old dentist so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be Dr. Nick.

More rapid than Lemke pulling 3^rd molars they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now Rembrandt and Pepsident, Now Biotene and Aquafresh,
On Arm and Hammer, On Colgate and Crest.

To the top of the stairs to the top of the wall
Now floss those teeth, floss those teeth,
Floss those teeth all!

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I lowered the blind and was turning around
Up the long dental stairs Dr. Nick came with a bound.

He was dressed in a lab coat, gloves and a mask.
His loupes light was shining through the entry way glass.

A bundle of dentures and crowns he had flung on his back
And he looked like Dr. Brown but nobody asked.

He spoke not a word but went straight to work
And filled all the teeth and then turned with a jerk.

And tossing his gloves and isolite aside
He tore off his mask and strode outside.

He sprang to his sled, to his team gave a whistle
And away they flew like the down of a thistle

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
Merry Christmas Wesley Dental – May you all have Pearly Whites!!

The Meaning of the Candy Cane

DW Admin on December 13, 2012

submitted by: Roxanne Avendano, Executive Assistant

Recently I received an invite to the Annual Wesley Auxiliary Luncheon and it reminded me of last year’s luncheon. I had never heard of the Wesley Auxiliary in my time at MHM and I definitely didn’t know what to expect when I arrived. Upon entrance into the gymnasium I was handed a candy cane with a card attached to it. I briefly glanced at the title of the card before sticking it in my purse. When I returned to the MHM Corporate Office after the luncheon I pulled the card out and was touched by its contents:

“The Meaning of the Candy Cane”

Many years ago a candy maker wanted to make a candy that would symbolize the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus.
The hard candy was shaped like a “J” to represent that Jesus is our rock of all ages.
The candy was made of white to stand for the pureness of Jesus.
The red represents the blood that Jesus shed to save us from our sins.
So the next time you see a candy cane take a minute to remember the real meaning of Christmas.

I wanted to share this with as many people as I could for two reasons. First, I will never be able to buy another flavored candy cane since the red and white ones hold so much meaning to me now. Second, for all that visit the 3rd floor Christmas tree at the MHM Corporate Office during December and see our Christmas Tree adorn with candy canes hanging like J's you will understand why.

Congratulations to our 4th Quarter Champions for Excellence

DW Admin on December 6, 2012

Congratulations to our 4rd Quarter Champions for Excellence

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.

Please join us in celebrating their achievement!

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.

Theresa Standage accepts the ‘You Make a Difference’ Award

DW Admin on November 30, 2012

2012-11-28 08-13-07 9694 It came as a complete surprise when the Rotary Club of D’Hanis/Hondo presented Theresa Standage, RN, Wesley Nurse at Hondo United Methodist Church, with the ‘You Make a Difference’ Award at their October 11th meeting. “The recognition itself was greatly appreciated, however when I discovered the Rotarian motto is ‘commitment to service above self’ this recognition captured a special place in my heart,” explains Theresa.

Community members are nominated for their practice of ethical standards in their profession, and for conducting meaningful community service projects. Additionally, to receive this recognition you must pass the Rotary’s Four-Way Test established as a moral code for personal and business relationships:

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Theresa continues, “It was a huge honor to receive the award, especially since it was given to me by the community I serve. I tell everyone that this is not just my award. I share it with MHM for creating this position, I share it with all Wesley Nurses because their service to their respective communities continues to inspire me, and with my congregation and community who support me as a Wesley Nurse. I will always thank God for putting me where I can best serve.”

Compassion at Work: A Wesley Nurse Encounter

DW Admin on November 16, 2012

submitted by: Kathy Frels, RN
Wesley Nurse, First United Methodist Church, Victoria, Texas

Recently, I had a first time client come to me as a referral from the new Victoria Community Clinic for prescription assistance. While I was performing intake for the Prescription Assistance Program I asked where she resided in order to complete the physical address requirement of the paperwork. It was then I discovered she and her daughter had been living in the parking lot of a local Wal-Mart store for over 16 months. I was shaken to discover this could be happening in our small, seemly quiet community.

She was very kind and considerate as she shared with me all that she had been through. She had been laid off in 2011 due to diabetes complications with neuropathy. In fact, her health had deteriorated to the point of being unable to wear shoes as they caused severe swelling. She also described the difficulty she encountered when applying for public assistance. Due to the overly complicated system she was forced to navigate, and lacking a basic understanding of assistance programs, she and her daughter found themselves homeless and often going days without food.

Having provided similar assistance to a number of clients through my service as a Wesley Nurse with the Wesley Nurse Health Ministries program, I quickly jumped at the chance of connecting this individual with the appropriate support services.

The first order of business was to use the partnerships and resources within our community I have used in the past to help clients in similar situations to advocate for mother and daughter.

The message that greeted me the next morning was the reward we as Wesley Nurses are so blessed to witness through our ministries: “Mrs. Frels, I love you! I want to thank you for your support and compassion yesterday. I received Food Stamps to help my daughter and me…” she exclaimed. I immediately returned her phone call to share in her joy of finally having a door open for her and her daughter.

As I was speaking with her, I couldn’t help to think of the word she repeated throughout the course of our conversation: – compassion. I began to reflect on ‘compassion’ more deeply. As a Wesley Nurse, and employee at Methodist Healthcare Ministries compassion is among the core values I and my colleagues strive to demonstrate, but how it this illustrated? How do you describe compassion in action?

Just as this client felt she was guided to First United Methodist Church in Victoria for a reason that stretched further than prescription assistance, I believe I was placed as a Wesley Nurse in Victoria for a purpose larger than myself. This experience reminded me of my oath to act compassionately in service to MHM’s mission.

I remember the words I shared with this particular client when first learning of her despair, “the Lord will intervene and provide.”

Today she is filled with comfort knowing the Lord provides. Likewise, I am overfilled with joy knowing I am a witness to this. Though the Wesley Nurse Health Ministries program I am able to play a part in administering to the health of those in need. Let us not forget why we are called to this job as Wesley Nurses, and as agents of our mission of, “Serving Humanity to Honor God.” We can rejoice knowing we are working for the Lord through all that we do each day.

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done.” Proverbs 19:17

Arthur Nagel Community Clinic: The Caring Clinic

DW Admin on November 15, 2012

Guest Blogger: K. Irene Stone
Executive Director, Arthur Nagel Community Clinic

The man turned to our staff and volunteers as the EMS technicians loaded his injured wife onto the stretcher, and said, “You’re the clinic who cares.” He had come into our small medical facility in a panic, fearful for his wife who was suffering head trauma from an accident at home. They weren’t patients, they were just visiting their vacation home in the area, and this was the only place he knew to go. We got his wife into an exam room, started first aid treatment, and called EMS.

“The clinic who cares.” Perhaps not grammatical, but the words were heartfelt and crystal-clear. Those words still echo down the clinic hallway, the same hallway where I braved claustrophobia two years ago to walk down as the new Executive Director of the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic. I came because I believed this was the clinic that cared. I had no office, at least not one I could call my own, and as I walked through the narrow hallways, it became very clear that in order to keep caring we (1.) needed more room, and (2.) needed it now. That was then when we were only averaging 13 patients a day. We average 21 patients a day now, and that number continues to grow. There are 7,000 people in Bandera County who qualify for our services. They have no health insurance and little or no income. They may work, but they cannot get ahead or they are part of the recent unemployed because of the recession. We currently see a fraction of those who qualify, but if only a third of them suddenly descend on our little clinic, what will we do? Where will we put them? Who will treat them?

Last year we provided medical services to the Bandera community valued at $1.14 million. Over $500,000 of that was a free medication from our Prescription Assistance Program. With more patients come more supplies, prescriptions, paperwork, medical waste, and more healthcare professionals. The list grows as the numbers increase. But where do we put everything and everybody? We need more storage space, more offices, and more exam rooms. And we need safer work areas and better privacy for our patients. We have healthcare professionals who are willing to donate their services or write grants to cover their costs, but where can we put them? I have people eager to donate medical equipment and supplies, but I have no room to store their in-kind donations. I cannot fit all the volunteers who want to help in the current building so I made a waiting list. Foundation officers come for a visit, and we have to meet in the kitchen where we interrupt the staff’s normal routine. The list goes on and on.

I’ve adjusted to the tight space, and I converted an exam room for temporary office space, so I don’t feel claustrophobic anymore, but the underlying need to expand keeps intensifying. If we are to continue as “the clinic who cares,” we must complete the funding for the clinic’s expansion as soon as possible. To date we have received $237,000 toward the expansion and remodeling of the clinic, and are working hard to secure the remainder of funds needed to support this project.

In the long run, the clinic’s expansion will benefit your friends, neighbors, church members, and maybe even loved ones. To learn more about the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic in Bandera, Texas, visit www.nagelclinic.org.

Since inception, MHM has provided nearly $500 million in healthcare services through our clinics and programs, as well as through our partnerships. MHM is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission and organizational objective of delivering healthcare and social services to the least served in the South Texas region. By strengthening other organizations’ capacity to provide services, we achieve our overarching goal of increasing access to care.

The Arthur Nagel Community Clinic joined MHM’s family of funded partners in 2009. The Clinic provides free primary, preventive, mental, and dental healthcare services to the underserved residents of Bandera County. To date, MHM has provided over $266,000 in in funding to support the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic.

MHM Challengers, Step Out to Stop Diabetes

DW Admin on November 7, 2012

Submitted by Juan Martinez, Health Education Program Manager

As Health Education Program Manager, I oversee health-related educational offerings and healthy eating initiatives at MHM. MHM's health education program ranges from information on how to handle diseases like diabetes, issues like weight management, to asthma and heart health. An especially critical focus of health education at MHM is addressing concerns related to diabetes. In fact, MHM's Diabetes Self-Management Education was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

With this knowledge base, I know all too well the impact diabetes has on the individual, their loved ones and the community at large. That is why when MHM agreed to become a Team Red Sponsor for the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes in San Antonio I was estactic! Naturally, I have a strong connection with the cause. I quickly envisioned the power of people. If we could formulate a team of like-minded walkers and supporters to champion the Stop Diabetes cause, our limits would be boundless. As an added motivation, MHM graciously offered to match all team contributions.

And so, the journey began. In July, I was officially named team captain for the MHM Challengers. The game plan was easy:

Join. With MHM's support, the MHM Challengers officially joined the 2012 Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes both as an official Team Red Sponsor and as a corporate team.
Register. Through various onsite events and special promotions we were able to recruit and register over 110 team members making the MHM Challengers one of the largest San Antonio Step Out teams.
Fundraise. With much help from representatives with local ADA representatives, David Whitt and Jose A. Macias, we were able to offer fundraising tips and training to the MHM Challengers team. Their online tools and helpful ideas really guided team members in achieving their personal fundraising goals. In fact, within three short months we had raised over $900 in donations.
Stop Diabetes. On Saturday, November 3rd, the MHM Challengers stepped out with confidence knowing that every dollar raised by the team provided funds for critical diabetes education and research. And although a cure has not yet been determined, we know we are that much closer to stopping diabetes.

To date, the team has raised over $2,200 in support of the ADA Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.

The MHM Challengers are still accepting donations. To donate, visit: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/mhmchallengers. The deadline to submit your contribution to the team is Monday, December 3, 2012.

Congratulations to Covita Moroney for earning CFRE distinction

DW Admin on November 1, 2012

Covita Moroney, Grants & Research Specialist at MHM, recently earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The CRFE credential demonstrates an individual’s mastery of the standards set for core knowledge and skills required of fundraising executives after five years of experience.

The CFRE designation is held by only about 10% of all AFP members worldwide. To earn the CFRE, one must document extensive experience and achievement, and must pass an intense, comprehensive examination on all aspects of fundraising including ethical standards. The CFRE is considered as significant a professional achievement for a fundraiser as a CPA is for an accountant.

“This affirms Covita’s commitment to the fundraising profession. With her years of experience and the qualities she brings to her work, we knew she had the skills, but it’s nice to see it recognized,” exclaims Covita’s director, Anne Connor.

Covita has been with MHM since August 2011.

Happy Feet Line Dancing Group Day, One Year Anniversary

DW Admin on October 31, 2012

There was music, merriment and the patter of many feet as El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church’s line dancing group celebrated Happy Feet Line Dancing Group Day on October 4, 2012 in San Marcos, Texas.

One year ago, Mayor Daniel Guerrero of San Marcos proclaimed this date as a day of recognition for Happy Feet’s successes and contributions to the community.

In 2009, the congregation of El Buen Pastor UMC asked their Wesley Nurse, Cindy Ybarra, to start a line dancing class. Cindy, who had never line danced in her life, learned just enough from YouTube to get the class started. Today, the class is still alive and kicking thanks to YouTube and to recruits from other line dancing groups who generously shared their dancing expertise.

Happy Feet Group

Happy Feet, as the group is now called, meets twice weekly and averages 10 participants at each session. Happy Feet specializes in out-of-the-ordinary line dances from many musical and cultural backgrounds. Included in their repertoire are the familiar country/western line dances, but the group especially enjoys dances with Latin, Cajun, Rock n’ Roll and ballroom influences. Sometimes they even throw in a little Scottish and Irish traditional for a change.

Happy Feet is notable for its success as a holistic ministry. It is without a doubt a wholesome, healthy form of exercise, but it is also mentally challenging and socially rewarding.

A typical Happy Feet participant memorizes no less than 25 different dances, and the troupe certainly knows how to have fun! One participant noted that most of the group’s time together is spent in laughter and celebration. “We celebrate our dancing successes, our life events such as birthdays, retirements, comings and goings, and our time together as a group of very diverse but very compatible friends,” explains Cindy Ybarra.

The line dancing classes are free, open to the public.

Congratulations to our 3rd Quarter Champions for Excellence

DW Admin on October 25, 2012

Congratulations to our 3rd Quarter Champions for Excellence

Please join us in celebrating their achievement!

Photography exhibit has a lasting impact on Llano teens

DW Admin on October 22, 2012

Last month the Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church opened its doors for Michael Nye’s ‘Children of Children: Portraits and Stories of Teenage Parents’ exhibit. This free, multimedia exhibit is a collection of stunning black and white portraits accompanied by audio stories, as told by the individuals featured in the portraits, about how teen pregnancy affected their lives.

Vicki Krcha, Wesley Nurse at the Lutie Watkins Memorial UMC, applied for a transportation scholarship to arrange for the exhibit to be brought to Llano. “Teen pregnancy has a deep-rooted impact on not only the mother and child, but is felt community-wide,” explains Krcha.

To facilitate the showing, Vicki recruited volunteers to assist, placed advertisements in local newspapers and church periodicals, and met with school officials to promote.

An estimated 100 attendees visited the exhibit during the course of its weeklong showing. Among its visitors was Deidre Henderson’s Child Development Class from Llano High School. As a class exercise, Vicki made poster paper available for youth to share their thoughts and feelings after the viewing. These posters were later taken to the classroom to encourage further discussion.

“Visitors to the exhibit were struck by the beautiful photographs and touched by the sentiments shared through the audio recordings. Many people expressed their gratitude for having such an exhibit come to Llano,” exclaims Krcha.

The exhibit was also used as a kick-off for a new Parents Helping Parents (PHP) support group which meets on Wednesdays from 5:30p.m. to 7:00p.m. at the Lutie Watkins Memorial UMC. For more information about the PHP support group, contact Vicki at (325) 247-4009.

For more information about the ‘Children of Children’ exhibit, call (877) 790-0192 or email info@mhm.org.

Hispanic Religious Partnership for Community Health, Inc.: Helping Bexar County residents meet their basic needs since 1997

DW Admin on October 19, 2012

An MHM funded partner since 1997, the Hispanic Religious Partnership for Community Health, Inc. (HRPCH) works to make a difference in Bexar County by engaging in the lives of the disadvantaged, underserved, and those requesting assistance to meet their basic needs.

Founded in 1997 by ten local Hispanic United Methodist Churches in San Antonio, Texas, the HRPCH has a deep-rooted connection with addressing the health and human service needs of families in the community. The founding churches, located in some of the city’s most underserved communities, witnessed firsthand the despair that is brought about from poverty. Lacking the resources to be able to provide the much-needed help as individual congregations, these churches came together to form a partnership to more adequately address this need.

Today, HRPCH operates four distinct programs:

Diaper Bank. Started in 2011, the Diaper Bank assists low-income families by providing access to a reserve of diapers, baby wipes, baby food and formula. This Bank also serves as a distribution center for products that supplement MHM’s Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™ My Healthy Child health education program and the HRPCH Baby Boutiques located St. John’s UMC and Bethel UMC.
Help Program. The Help Program provides emergency food and household utilities assistance, vision enrollment, federal benefits referrals, and job placement assistance along with other vital services. This program is designed to function as safety net for families in need.
Hunger Relief. The Hunger Relief program organizes various food pantries and special outreach events year round. Its goal is to provide nourishment to hungry families throughout Bexar County.
Senior Wellness. The Senior Wellness program is focused on providing healthy alternatives to ensure low-income seniors stay healthy both mentally and physical by participating in an assortment of exercise and nutrition opportunities.

At its core, HRPCH believes individuals and families must have their basic needs satisfied before they can work towards setting and achieving long-term economic and educational goals. HRPCH programs are designed to meet these needs.

In 2011, HRPCH served 7,422 families. This year to date, 9,562 families have been served through HRPCH programs.

To date, MHM has provided over $2.1 million in funding to support HRPCH.

To learn more about the Hispanic Religious Partnership for Community Health, visit http://www.hrpch.org. Join HRPCH on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HRPCH.