Tag: News

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is happy to welcome all attendees to the Health Ministries Association (HMA) 2015 Annual Meeting as the sponsor of the conference's welcome dinner reception. The conference will be held August 31 through September 2 in New Orleans' historic French quarter at the La Méridien Hotel. The meeting draws health ministry and faith community nursing professionals from across the country to this premier opportunity for education, collaboration and networking. MHM is proud to support the intersection of faith and health at this year's event titled "Journey to Wholeness."

MHM's Wesley Nurse program will present their findings during a special poster presentation at the HMA meeting. The posters Domestic violence hurts: how to engage a community to help and Creating measurable goals for faith community nurses will be shared during this interactive session. MHM's team will share special insights with conference attendees and host a question and session.

MHM looks forward to the opportunity to engage with colleagues. Sharing ideas with others interested in faith community nursing provides a great opportunity for collaboration and learning. The team is excited to participate.

The Wesley Nurse program is MHM's largest geographic outreach program. A key component of the work Wesley Nurses undertake in their communities is providing health education, health promotion and facilitation of resources. We assist individuals and communities in achieving improved health and wellness through self-empowerment and access to health care resource information. To learn more, visit MHM.org.

San Antonio, TX – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM), the largest private, faith-based funding source for healthcare services in South Texas, today announced the expansion of healthcare providers participating in the Sí Texas Project: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas initiative. Nuestra Clinica del Valle and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's Salud y Vida 2.0 program will work alongside seven other South Texas providers taking part in the multi-million dollar effort designed to improve health outcomes in communities with high rates of poverty, depression, diabetes, obesity and associated risk factors.

The Sí Texas Project took shape after Methodist Healthcare Ministries announced it was the first-ever, faith-based organization to receive a federal grant from the Social Innovation Fund(SIF), a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The overarching goal of the Project is to improve rates of depression and diabetes over five years and build the capacity of organizations working in this arena while leveraging both public and private partnerships to attract additional investments in South Texas.

Sub-grants ranging from $100,000 to $2 million were awarded to organizations that successfully completed an open, competitive application process. The first cohort of organizations selected to receive funding were announced at a public ceremony in McAllen, Texas in May. The addition of Nuestra Clinica del Valle and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston rounds out the network which together represents a $13 million dollar investment in South Texas.

"The SIF is proud to propel the innovative work of the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Sí Texas Project to new heights," said Damian Thorman, Director of the Social Innovation Fund. "With an initial $10 million grant over two years and the addition of these two service providers, Methodist Healthcare Ministries will be able to expand its innovative model to significantly improve both the physical and behavioral health outcomes for individuals in low-income communities across South Texas."

The nine South Texas organizations selected as sub-grantees for the Sí Texas Project, and the counties they serve, include:

Rio Grande Valley

• Nuestra Clinica del Valle, Hidalgo and Starr Counties
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron
• Counties
• Lower Rio Grande Valley Community Health Management Corp, Inc. (El Milagro Clinic),
• Hidalgo County
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), Hidalgo
• County
• Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, Cameron County
• Community Hope Projects, Inc. (Hope Family Health Center), Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, and
• Cameron Counties

Laredo

• Mercy Ministries of Laredo, Webb County
• Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), Webb County

Coastal Bend

• Rural Economic Assistance League (REAL), Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, and Kleberg Counties

"These organizations represent an unparalleled effort to test and find a solution to a health crisis that is not isolated to South Texas. This project has the potential to shine a bright light on strategies that work—not in theory, but tested and evaluated—to improve health outcomes for those dealing with diabetes and depression in this region, but that can be replicated nationally," stated Kevin C. Moriarty, president and chief executive officer at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "We are grateful to the Social Innovation Fund for their partnership and investment in this work and to the local community that has taken shape to support and sustain it."

In 2008, an article published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine reported the depression rate in South Texas among Hispanic patients with Type 2 diabetes was at 39 percent. The Si Texas Project, through its sub-grantees, will attempt to build an intricate network of cross-sector partnerships that will lead region-wide improvements in those conditions.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is a private, faith-based not-for profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes MHM's 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 mhm.org.

About The Corporation for National and Community Service

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service and champions community solutions through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

New coalition of community groups launches a local campaign to show families how much sugar they're drinking, and to encourage them to consider healthier alternatives

Do you know how much sugar you — or your kids — consume each day, just in the form of sweetened drinks like soda, sweet tea, energy drinks and fruit-flavored beverages?

Most people don't. It turns out that a single sugary drink can contain the equivalent of 10, 16 or even 22 packets of sugar. And that's a concern, since a growing number of experts say that people should limit sugar and sugary drinks to prevent weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and other health risks.

A new campaign by a broad-based coalition of groups called the Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition aims to make it easier for local families to find out — and to pick healthier alternatives.

The campaign, titled "Is Your Drink Sugar-Packed?" launched June 9 with videos, posters and educational materials in both English and Spanish. They can be found online at a new website, www.sugar-packed.com. Additional materials will be added in the weeks to come.

The website also includes an easy-to-use sugar calculator that can tell you how much sugar is in commonly-consumed sugary beverages, and how much you're consuming over time.

"The purpose of this campaign is not to regulate what people consume, but to inform the public so they can make better decisions for themselves and their families," County Judge Nelson Wolff said. "When you have all of the facts related to the health effects of sugar-sweetened beverages, it can be pretty alarming."

Bexar County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in February supporting a campaign to educate local residents about how much sugar they're consuming in beverages, given the concerns about obesity and diabetes in South Texas.

A federal nutrition advisory group recommends that added sugar should make up no more than 10 percent of daily calories — or about 12 teaspoons a day for the average adult. A single 16-ounce sugary drink can contain that much or more. Other groups, including the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association, recommend even less added sugar per day.

"We need to work with the community so that area residents can make informed beverage choices and better understand the impact of sugary beverages on their health," said Elizabeth Lutz, executive director of The Health Collaborative. "Obesity and diabetes are priority areas of greatest concern for our community as identified by the 2013 Bexar County Community Health Assessment, a comprehensive report of local health compiled by The Health Collaborative. Through a countywide Community Health Improvement Plan process, reducing the consumption of sugary beverages was identified as a key strategy in addressing the prevalence of obesity and diabetes."

Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer of University Health System, recommends that people consider sugary drinks as if they were liquid candy bars — a high-calorie treat that should be consumed sparingly.

"Sugar-sweetened drinks are a contributor to the rise in obesity and are associated with adverse health conditions, both in our community and around the world," Dr. Alsip said. "Sugar itself is a also major factor in tooth decay and gum disease, especially in children. "If you're thirsty, drink water. Water quenches our thirst better, is abundantly available, and is what our bodies need for hydration. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks is a simple way to eliminate unnecessary calories from your diet and to improve your health."

"Just as parents, school leaders, coaches and church leaders should encourage healthy drink choices for those they're responsible for, employers can take steps to make sure that when people are thirsty, the easiest choice is either water or another healthy alternative," said Julie Tatum, president of the San Antonio Business Group on Health.

Partners in the Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition include the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Bexar County, Bexar County Medical Society, Bexar County School Board Coalition, The Health Collaborative, Interlex Communications, San Antonio Business Group on Health, San Antonio Independent School District, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Southside Independent School District, South Texas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, Tiny Roar Creative, University Health System, University of Texas Institute for Health Promotion Research, Witte Museum and YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

The need for infrastructure improvements, including health care facilities, in the Eagle Ford region remains a growing priority. Currently, access to emergency care in some South Texas areas can take hours compared to minutes in more developed cities. Learn more in the recent San Antonio Express News article A slowdown in oil, but Eagle Ford towns still play catch-up.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is excited to be a table sponsor of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ) Scholarship & Awards Gala. This annual event, now in its 17th year, will be held at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio on Friday, July 10.

This year, SAAHJ will honor Michael Quintanilla of the San Antonio Express-News for excellence in journalism, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the national non-profit civil rights organization formed in 1968 in San Antonio to protect the rights of Latinos with SAAHJ's community service award, and Grammy award winner Vikki Carr for her extensive contributions to the Hispanic community, among other outstanding personalities with the second-ever Corazón de Oro award.

The gala promotes recognition of excellence and provides an opportunity for helping tomorrow's leaders succeed. Talented students will receive $40,000 – a record amount – in scholarships with the funds raised at the event.

"MHM couldn't be more proud to support the SAAHJ Awards Gala. This is not only an enjoyable event to attend, but the funds raised also help support San Antonio's brightest future leaders. It is fun with a purpose," shared Jessica Muñoz, director of communications at MHM.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the SAAHJ event page.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is pleased to welcome Ms. Yanas, as its new Director of Governmental Affairs. Ms. Yanas is a dynamic professional with over ten years of health care and hospital public policy experience and brings with her a proven record of delivering results and influencing change. Her career includes a recent role as vice president of operations and advocacy at Teaching Hospitals of Texas in Austin. As Director of Governmental Affairs, Chris is responsible for the organization's policy and legislative agenda.

Chris is a poised and thoughtful leader with impressive professional successes, which makes her an ideal fit at MHM–a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

Chris earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin, cum laude, with a double major in English and government.

Born and raised in rural South Texas, Chris resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is proud to be a keynote sponsor of ClarityCon2015. This third annual conference on children's mental health is hosted by Clarity Child Guidance Center, one of Antonio's leading children's mental health non-profit agencies.

The conference will take place June 18-19 at the Norris Conference Center in San Antonio. In addition to nationally known keynote speakers, over 20 other notable children's mental health professionals are expected to deliver workshops and presentations. Session topics include autism, child abuse, ethics, narrative therapy and much more. Conference attendees are expected to include psychologists, therapists, nurses, school counselors, social workers, teachers and caseworkers from across the state.

"The event marks a unique opportunity to show MHM's continued commitment for mental health research and care, especially among our youngest Texans," explained Kathryn Jones, Director of Behavioral Health Services at MHM. "When practitioners learn from each other and share experiences, the impact of such a conference will go far beyond this event and positively affect the lives of those with the greatest need when we return home."

For more information about ClarityCon2015, visit www.claritycgc.org.

The 100 Black Men of San Antonio, Inc. will host their inaugural awards ceremony Fatherhood Jubilee on Tuesday, June 16 at St. Phillips College Bowden Alumni Center. A select group of honorees from San Antonio and the surrounding area will be recognized for their dedication, leadership and resilience during fatherhood. The highly anticipated event is sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). The Fatherhood Jubilee seeks to strengthen fatherhood in the community at large, especially African American fathers.

"A loving and capable father is very important during early childhood. Support from a strong father figure can positively impact a child's life. We are happy to see fathers in MHM's Parenting Programs learn new skills and then share them within their family unit," shared Shannon Pointon, Parenting Programs manager at MHM. 100 Black Men of San Antonio, Inc. and MHM share the same commitment to supporting fathers so they have the skills and resources needed to lead healthy families. We believe strong fathers improve the quality of life in our communities and it begins with educational and economic opportunities for all men.

The 100 Black Men of San Antonio, Inc. is a chapter of the 100 Black Men of America. For more information about the Fatherhood Jubilee, visit MHM's event calendar.