Tag: Blog

Having a child changes everything doesn’t it? It changes your body and lifestyle, and it can change how you view the world. If you’re a young mom or dad, it can change your future. For a grandmother raising a grandchild, it can plunge you back into a role you had not anticipated reviving. And, if you’re a parent to a special needs child it changes everything.

But for all those changes, there is comfort in knowing there is a place that can help to guide you through it—that’s Meld.

Meld is a two-year program offered by the Parenting Programs of Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM). It brings together groups of parents who have similar parenting needs, and offers them a curriculum and tools that will help them to become more confident leaders within their own families.

Upon completion of the two-year curriculum, participants will have developed practical parenting techniques and gained the support to help them pursue the goals they set for their families. As families prepare to transition beyond the Meld program, their parenting coordinator will work with them to identify areas where they need ongoing support, and will ensure that they get connected to the resources that they need in the community. Parents may find that there are other programs and services offered by MHM that may provide the additional support they need; they may also be introduced to new resources in the community. Whatever the case, the Meld staff will work with each family to ensure that they are aware of resources and opportunities beyond the scope of what the Meld program offers, and to assist them with getting connected, as needed.

There are four Meld programs, each geared towards the particular needs of the parents within the group. There is a Meld for Young Moms group for young mothers ages 13 to 25; a Meld for Young Dads group; Meld for Growing Families for mothers ages 26 and older, and for grandparents raising grandchildren; and a Meld Special group, designed specifically for parents raising children living with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities.

There are no income requirements to participate in any of the groups, and enrollment is simple. A light meal or snack is provided at each group meeting, and volunteers provide free childcare during each session. Active participants in the program are also eligible to participate in a free annual field trip.

We invite you to learn about Meld, and all the Parenting Programs MHM offers by visiting mhmbridgeofblessings.org or contacting us at info@mhm.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.

With a dedication to providing health-related human services to the underserved, MHM welcomed El Milagro Clinic as a funded partner in 2002 in an effort to address the concern for access to care among the uninsured and underinsured population. Located in McAllen, Texas, El Milagro provides Rio Grande Valley residents with comprehensive medical services, with a focus on education and preventative measures. El Milagro’s service area is one of severe poverty and high unemployment with incomes at or below the Federal Poverty Level. The typical patient at El Milagro is monolingual Spanish speaking further complicating the ability to receive quality healthcare services. The demand for access to affordable healthcare services in this area is of crucial importance.

Due to limited access to care, many clients do not have an established physician or thorough medical records. As a result, clients seek treatment to routine illness by way of expensive emergency room visits or by jumping from doctor to doctor for fear of inability to pay balances from previous visits. Consequently, continuity of care and case management is difficult. Conscious of the detriment of this trend, El Milagro works to establish the clinic as a “medical home” for patients to access primary care and address preventive measures. Licensed physicians and personnel see approximately 75 patients a day for routine primary care with additional services spanning from screenings and education to onsite ancillary services such as laboratory testing, and prescription assistance. This all-in-one model has proven powerful as patients express anxiety over being referred out to other health providers in the community to complete their medical needs — especially given the rising cost of gas.

El Milagro offers onsite comprehensive primary health care and mental health counseling along with health education. El Milagro’s professional team embodies a holistic approach to health and wellness where the patient is viewed as an integral part of the team of caregivers. El Milagro’s combined Wellness Center offers exercise and nutrition classes, and programs like music therapy, journaling and creative writing – as illustrated in 'Vidas Cruzadas,' a collection of poetry and essays by women impacted by the program — which compliments the Center's mental health services.

The impact of these services is best depicted by the powerful testimonials of the program's participants — people like Maria Martinez. "This program helps us a lot. We learned to know ourselves more. I began to dig into my mind and remember things that I had forgotten. They show us pictures and [I] learned that everyone sees things differently…our minds are so powerful that we hardly stop and meditate.”

MHM has provided funding to assist El Milagro with the delivery of primary care services and the continuation of their Wellness Center in excess of $2.8 million providing for about 77,000 encounters from 2008-2011, with an anticipated 24,000 more in 2012.

To learn more about El Milagro Clinic, visit their website at http://www.elmilagroclinic.org.

Established in 1994, the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) Hall of Honor was created to honor those who, by example or direct involvement, help enrich the lives of the district’s children. The 2011-2012 Commitment to Excellence Awards and Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony took place last Monday, May 8, at the Schertz Civic Center Ballroom.

This year’s group of inductees included MHM’s very own, Jeannette (Jae) Kight. Jae was inducted into the SCUCISD Hall of Honor as a Distinguished Community Member for her work with the MHM School Based Health Center program.

Jae joined the MHM team in 2001 as a Nurse Practitioner with the MHM School Based Health Center program. The District Health Services Nurses stated, “ Jae is awesome and couldn’t think of another person that deserves it more.” Jae is active in the community, and works very closely with school nurses throughout the district.

Congratulations Jae, on this special recognition! You are truly a great community member and exemplify MHM’s mission of, “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”

• Maggie Vasquez (Human Resources) – Best Fiesta Hat
• Linda Lopez (Administration) – Best Fiesta Medal Collection
• Marilyn Stanton-White (Clinic and Behavioral Health Services) – Most Fiesta Spirit

To close out the month of March, the Nutrition & Health Education department hosted the 2nd annual Team Member Appreciation Luncheon. The luncheon, held at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center and the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr. Clinic, was organized as a way to show thanks to the MHM team for their individual contributions to our mission of, "Serving Humanity to Honor God."

National Nutrition Month was also observed as part of the celebration. "Get Your Plate in Shape," the 2012 National Nutrition Month theme, was integrated into all facets of the luncheon as way to promote awareness of the My Plate principles. My Plate promotes calorie balance through portion control and physical activity, increased intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and low-fat dairy, and a decreased intake of fat, sugar and sodium. These principles were echoed throughout the luncheon with the use of My Plate table placemats and t-shirts provided by the Nutrition & Health Education department. As an added treat, luncheon attendees were served by members of the MHM Executive Staff – sporting chef hats and all! 

Attendees reveled at the life-sized shrimp tree display prepared by Chef Joe, along with the assortment of Latin-inspired menu items. Chef Joe's mango salsa, Mahi Mahi Vera Cruz and bread pudding received top accolades. "Since the luncheon was held on a Friday during lent, the biggest challenge for the Nutrition & Health Education team was deciding on menu items that would satisfy the masses," explains Kalli Lindsey, RD, Health Educator. Ultimately, the team decided on a Latin-inspired theme to build interest and selected many of the recipes from Cocinando para Latinos con Diabetes, written by Olga V. Fuste, MS, RD, and published by the American Diabetes Association.

The luncheon concluded with the distribution of door to prizes to four lucky winners. The winners walked away with an edible fresh fruit bouquet served in an Easter basket. National Nutrition Month tote bags, notebooks, and fruit and vegetable-shaped pens were awarded as prizes to six children enrolled in the Wesley Health & Wellness Center afterschool program for their My Plate-themed art contest entries.

A big thank you goes out to the Nutrition & Health Education department for putting so much thought into the planning and organization of the luncheon, and a special thank you to members of the MHM Executive Staff for volunteering as servers. All in attendance enjoyed the time and efforts put into the event, and look forward to next year's celebration!

Team MH vs. MS stepped out on Saturday, March 3, 2012 to join in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS) at the 2012 Walk MS. The annual walk is the signature fundraising event for the National MS Society.

Money raised as part of the Walk MS event will aid the National MS Society's global efforts in MS research and treatment with a focus on stopping the progression of the disease and restoring the function that has been lost all, in an effort to ending the disease.

With Maria Hernandez serving as team captain, team MH vs. MS completed the walk held at the AT&T Center. Team MH vs. MS recruited 48 members and raised nearly $500 for the cause. MHM proudly sponsors the walk annually as a way to support the National MS Society, and matches every dollar raised by the team.

The walk may be over, but the fight isn't! There is still time to contribute to the team total. To make a donation to team MH vs. MS, click here.* The deadline to submit donations is Monday, April 2, 2012.

To learn more about the Walk MS, visit: nationalmssociety.org.

To view our team photos on the MHM Facebook page, click here.

*MHM will automatically match the total amount raised by the team; there is no need to fill out the Matching Gifts portion of the Donation Form.