Tag: News

San Antonio (Dec. 13, 2019)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.– a private, faith-based not-for-profit dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured – partnered with Methodist Healthcare System for the seventh consecutive year to donate about 200 decorated Christmas trees and holiday wreaths to several underserved families in San Antonio. As part of their annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan participate in a tree decorating or wreath decorating contest. Following the competition, the trees and wreaths were donated to Methodist Healthcare Ministries to give to a family in need. (View footage from the 2018 event.)

This year, staff at Methodist Healthcare Ministries also participated in their own decorating contest to add even more trees to the event.“This annual tradition truly brings our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” to life and it is one of our team members’ favorite events. It is such a blessing to see the joy and holiday cheer on the faces of the children and the families we serve,” said Jaime Weslolowski, President & CEO at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are grateful for the Methodist Healthcare System for putting so much of their time and energy into decorating these trees with love and helping us spread some holiday cheer.”

The people receiving the trees were identified from existing patients and clients of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ clinics and parenting programs. This population generally makes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, lacks health insurance and often cannot affort the holiday gifts and niceties many people take for granted.

The Christmas trees decorated by employees from Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital were donated to families at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Guests were invited to enjoy some holiday treats and entertainment before selecting their own tree. Trained staff from Methodist Hospital were also on hand to install donated car seats for families who were also in need of a safe car seat to protect their child.

“We are so excited to give these trees to the Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the community we support”, commented Dan Miller, CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital. “The community gives a lot back to us: they give us purpose, they give us a reason to be here and a reason to come to work every day. In this season of giving, I think it’s most important for the gift we give every day, which is the opportunity to make a difference in our community. When I think about all of the Christmas trees we have here, my hope is that we’re able to put a tree where there wasn’t a tree. These trees are not only a symbol of our mission to serve humanity to honor God but they’re also a symbol of love and Christmas spirit. We’re excited for families to find a tree that means a lot to them and gets to have a special place in their home.”

This year, for the first time, a similar event was planned at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center. Christmas trees and wreaths were decoarated and donated by the employees of Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

“It’s a special and memorable way for our employees to give back to the families and the community we care for every day. It’s one more example of how we are committed to supporting resilient families and building a thriving community in our own backyard,” concluded Wesolowski.

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About Methodist HealthcareMinistries 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. 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 TexasConference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest health care 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 Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare System – San Antonio is the largest provider of health care in South and Central Texas with 30 facilities, including ten hospitals and four free-standing emergency departments, serving over 608,000 inpatients and outpatients annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 11,000, making Methodist Healthcare the second largest private employer in San Antonio. The Texas Quality Foundation selected Methodist Healthcare to receive the 2014 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. Methodist Healthcare is the first and only health care system in South Texas to receive this award, which requires an organization to demonstrate its commitment to the highest quality standards. With more than 2,700 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. Visit www.SAHealth.comto learn more.

San Antonio, TX (Dec. 12, 2019)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Parents as Teachers program has earned a prestigious endorsement from the Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the PATNC’s international network. The official designation was made on Oct. 1, 2019.

Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.

“To earn the Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Shannon Pointon, L.M.S.W., Parenting Program Manager at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering the highest quality services to the children and families we serve.”

Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes, according to Pointon. It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed. Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ accountability and credibility to the community and the partner organizations with which they work.

“All of us at Methodist Healthcare Ministres are incredibly proud of the work our Parenting program puts into helping us build reslilient families and thriving communities in the places we serve” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Parents as Teacher program provides bimonthly personal home visits to families and monthly group connection events focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being. The program supports parents throughout pregnancy until their children enter school full-time providing health, hearing, vision and developmental screenings for eligible children using approved screening tools and methods. The program also connects families to resources and help them overcome any barriers to accessing those resources. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org/services/parenting-programs

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About Methodist HealthcareMinistries 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 Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers (PAT) builds strong communities, thriving families and children that are healthy, safe and ready to learn. The internationally-recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by 35 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. PAT currently serves nearly 200,000 families in all 50 U.S. states, 115 Tribal organizations, six other countries and one U.S. territory. Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc., is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Parents as Teachers affiliates operate in various settings, including health departments, hospitals and schools, faith-based and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit parentsasteachers.org or Twitter @NatlPAT.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. celebrated National Night Out at its Wesley Health & Wellness Center on Tuesday, Oct. 1 . Nearly 400 community members gathered together with Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ staff and members of local law enforcement for a night of camaraderie, fun festivities, education and information on locally available resources that promote community awareness and crime prevention.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to once again host a National Night Out event at our Wesley Health & Wellness Center for the friends and neighbors we serve in the community. We believe in reaching people directly where they live, work, play, and pray and this event helps us celebrate all that we can do to make our Southside Community a safer, better place to live,” said Oanh Maroney-Omitade, vice president of clinical operations for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are excited to host a free, fun event for the whole family, including games, fitness classes, informational booths, music and more." 

The Wesley Health & Wellness Center offers a variety of health and wellness programs and services such as medical, dental, counseling, exercise, classes, parenting programs, and nutrition and health education to San Antonio’s Southside and the surrounding community.

San Antonio, Texas, May 21, 2019– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., partnered with Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District and H-E-B Pharmacy to conduct an immunization drive at Laura Ingalls Wilder Intermediate School to provide sixth-grade students with an opportunity to receive the required and recommended immunizations needed before entering the seventh grade.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is committed to increasing access to care for the least served and this opportunity to give back to the community aligns directly with our mission and vision as an organization,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Immunizations are critically important to safeguard our community against harmful diseases and we are proud to partner with H-E-B Pharmacy and the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City I.S.D. to offer these students and families a chance to be protected.

The vaccines were administered by Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ School Based Health Center and H-E-B Pharmacy personnel. The following immunizations were made available: Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis), MCV4 (Meningococcal) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus). The Tdap and MCV4 are required immunizations for all students and the HPV Vaccine is recommended to protect against HPV cancers.

45 students received vaccinations during the immunizations drive and nearly 87 percent received the HPV Vaccine. The HPV vaccination protects against the Human Papillomavirus and the cancers it can cause. More than 33,000 men and women get HPV cancers in the United States each year and the vaccine prevents up to 90 percent of HPV cancers. Wesolowski added, “The HPV vaccines are an important tool in our toolkit to help prevent the spread of cancer and, as a survivor of an HPV cancer myself, I know the dangers posed by this disease. The time to act is now.”

These immunizations were provided at no cost and were available whether or not the student had health insurance coverage. Methodist Healthcare Ministries offered to pay any costs not covered by a student’s insurance plan and for any children who do not have health insurance coverage.

"We are thankful for this longstanding partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD,” said Dr. Greg Gibson, superintendent of SCUC ISD. “This collaboration allows us to help our students fulfill their lifelong potential, including their health and social-emotional well-being."

“We are proud to partner with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to provide this vital service as part of our commitment to health and wellness in the communities we serve,” said Craig Norman, senior vice president, H-E-B Pharmacy.

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San Antonio, Texas, April 9, 2019 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. has appointed Xochy Hurtado to the role of chief operating officer (COO). Hurtado is a native Texan and seasoned healthcare executive, having served in leadership roles at hospitals in San Antonio, the Upper Gulf Coast and across South Texas. As COO, Hurtado will lead the organization’s operations in San Antonio and across its 74-county service area in South Texas.

“We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries have an important mission of serving humanity to honor God, and each of us takes our role in advancing that mission to heart. We knew we needed an individual who would have both the business acumen and experience working in community to fill this important role but more essentially, would also have a heart for our mission,” said president & CEO, Jaime Wesolowski. “Xochy is a passionate and experienced healthcare leader with an established record of success. More importantly, she has embodied our values through her service at Methodist Healthcare institutions, which share our mission. And, being a native Texan, Xochy has a deep understanding of the unmet healthcare needs our patients and clients are challenged by. We are delighted she will be joining our team.”

Hurtado will begin in her new role May 6. As COO, she will oversee Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ clinical and regional operations, and report to the CEO. The clinical operations include two primary care clinics in San Antonio and two School Based Health Centers in Schertz and Marion. Regional operations include Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Nurse Program, Community Counseling Services and family wellness programs in the Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend, Laredo and the U.S./Mexico southern border, the Concho Valley and Texas Hill Country. Her portfolio will also include community engagement efforts to identify health issues and design collaborative, community-driven solutions which champion and empower the community voice.

"What an amazing honor and answer to prayer, to be chosen for this role with Methodist Healthcare Ministries,” said Hurtado. “As a Hispanic female, I understand the cultural and socioeconomic challenges many of these communities face, as my own family has faced similar challenges. Having recently served a community where access to care is limited, I bring a unique passion to this role that aligns with scripture and my own personal values. Matthew 25:34-40 instructs us to ‘serve the least of these’ and Methodist Healthcare Ministries has made it their mission, which I proudly support, to do just that. I pray that I may continue to glorify God with the work I do through Methodist Healthcare Ministries and I give thanks to God and the board of directors for this incredible opportunity to serve.”

Hurtado is the former chief executive officer at Val Verde Regional Medical Center, in Del Rio, Texas, a 93-bed, nonprofit acute care, rural hospital formally managed by Methodist Healthcare System. Hurtado was responsible for operational efficiency and quality improvement, while leading the culture of the hospital to be patient-centered and mission focused.

While in Del Rio, Xochy has been actively engaged in several community initiatives to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for area residents. She led an unprecedented cooperative effort with the City of Del Rio, Val Verde County, the San Felipe School District and the Val Verde County Hospital District to provide expense coverage in full payment, or at a Medicare discounted rate, for residents of Val Verde County who utilize the Air Life/Air Evac Helicopter. Similarly, her leadership supported a community outreach collaboration with the San Felipe ISD to reduce teen pregnancy and address childhood obesity and diabetes.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Hurtado earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, and her Master of Science with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

(San Antonio) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of DeAnna Bokinsky as the new vice president for strategic planning and growth. Bokinsky joins Methodist Healthcare Ministries after spending more than 25 years of her career successfully leading other organizations toward excellence. She officially started with the organization on February 18, 2019.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Bokinsky will leverage her experience and background in healthcare management, business, performance improvement and network development — including provider recruitment and retention, to enable Methodist Healthcare Ministries in further developing effective strategy to guide the organization into the next decade.

Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, stated “we are thrilled to have her on our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization, which will undoubtedly enhance the work we do for the least served in our communities. Her expertise in strategic planning will provide each one of us with the support we need to continue impacting the lives of those we serve.”

Before joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Bokinsky served as president and CEO of Vision Point Partners, in Dallas-Fort Worth. Bokinsky was also a founding partner of Surge Advisors, LLC, in Dallas-Fort Worth. She served as vice president of Strategic Planning and chief of staff to the CEO at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas. Before Parkland, she worked at Children’s Medical Center, as their director of Planning & Health Care Economics, also in Dallas. Before that, DeAnna was director of Planning and Business Development at University of Missouri Health Care, in Columbia, Missouri, for 16 years. DeAnna is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also serves on the National Board of Examiners for Malcolm Baldridge and is a certified executive coach.

Bokinsky earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University, and her master’s degree in Health Administration, from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

"I'm extremely excited to be part of an organization that is dedicated to improving the health of the least served in our community," said DeAnna Bokinsky. "It's an honor to be here and to be able to impact lives."

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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 (Feb. 8, 2019) – Twenty-two students from East Central Independent School District (ECISD) were recognized for completing a four-month Clinical Medical Assistant’s (CMA) rotation program at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center. Students gained valuable hands-on experience in the world of healthcare from the experts at Methodist Healthcare Ministries.​

These students live near the Dixon Health & Wellness Center, where they invested four months of their time to learning about the different medical services available to patients served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Their goal was to get real-world work experience that will help prepare them for the CMA exam this summer. Each student rotated through various departments including dental, pharmacy, social work, medicine, physical therapy, lab, behavioral health, patient registration, and administration.

Many of the students were also exposed to the high quality of care provided to the least served in the community by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Students were also inspired by the organization’s mission: “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”

“It was an eye-opener for me. I had no idea there was care like this for people who do not have access to healthcare. It’s great to see the care these patients receive,” said Anastacia Martinez, a senior at East Central ISD. “I was also able to get a better picture of what I’m learning in my school books. Reading about it is one thing but to actually experience it, makes it real.”

This was the school district’s inaugural year for the CMA training program, in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

“We’re glad they approached us to be part of this course because it’s the perfect match,” said Oanh Maroney-Omitade, vice president of Clinical Operations at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “It’s great to be able to give these students a closer look at healthcare in action and to expose them to a caring and compassionate profession.”

Dolapo Sokunbi, a clinical administrator at Methodist Heatlhcare Ministries, said having the students rotate through the different departments has helped guide them in choosing their profession.

“The students got to interact with our patients and learned how to meet their medical needs which include physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual,” said Sokunbi. And, our team members were able to share their knowledge and experience as well.”

“This program really helped me improve my confidence level. I gained confidence in my own abiltites to learn about healthcare,” said Marcus Zamora, a senior at East Central ISD. “It’s been a great experience for me.”

“Our goal is to provide the students with the tools they need to move forward in their future careers,” said said Brit Peek, manager of Human Resources at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are so proud of these students for demonstrating a true passion for those in need of medical care in our community. We wish them the best as they continue their education.”

Maroney-Omitade said Methodist Healthcare Ministries hopes to continue equipping youths who are exploring a career in healthcare through the CMA training program at East Cenral ISD. But most importantly, she hopes each student takes what they learned and applies it, no matter where they decide to 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. 

(San Antonio) – The Bee Gees smash hit “Stayin’ Alive” has been a dance favorite for years, but now, with the help of shows like The Office, the song is known for much more. Administering CPR to someone in need to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” can save their life. And now, thanks to a Hands-Only CPR Kiosk sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., visitors to the Witte Museum can learn how to save a life during their visit.​

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this morning at the H-E-B Body Adventure Powered by University Health System in front of the newly installed CPR Kiosk. Marise McDermott, President and CEO of the Witte Museum was joined by Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Alice H. Gannon, Chair of the Methodist Healthcare Ministries board of directors, Maria Garcia, Chair of the American Heart Association board of directors and CPR Survivor Kaeyel Moore to celebrate the new addition to the four-floor interactive building focused on Health IQ, Empowerment and Wellness.

“The positive impact the H-E-B Body Adventure has held in the community is recognized on a national level, and the Witte is honored that the American Heart Association recognize this vision,” said Marise McDermott, President and CEO of the Witte Museum. “The hands-only CPR Kiosk sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a welcome addition to the Witte Museum.”

“'For Methodist Healthcare Ministries, this partnership helps to fulfill our mission to serve humanity to Honor God as it will empower people in the community to act and respond in the case of an emergency,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “By teaching visitors how to best render assistance in the case of a cardiac emergency, we can help them save lives. We are thankful for this partnership with the Witte Museum and the American Heart Association and look forward to seeing the positive impact this new tool has on the community."

The interactive touch screen kiosk features a brief “how-to” video, followed by a practice session and a 30-second CPR test. Visitors will be able to practice on a rubber torso of a manikin, giving the feel of a human body. The experience gives feedback about the depth and rate of compressions and proper hand placement – factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR.

“The kiosk will make it possible for users to gain skills that could potentially save the lives of someone they know and love. We also hope that these skills will reduce the number of deaths that occur as a result of trepidation to intervene and perform bystander CPR. This opportunity wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our two partners in this life-saving venture, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and The Witte Museum. We are grateful that these two community leaders recognize the benefits of the kiosk and appreciate their roles in possibly saving lives in the weeks, months and years to come,” said Stacy Hicks Herr, Executive Director, American Heart Association San Antonio.

Funded in partnership with H-E-B, University Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and other community partners, the H-E-B Body Adventure is endorsed by the San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council. Along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2018 “Culture of Health” Award, the H-E-B Body Adventure is the recipient of the Inaugural Texas Association of Museum’s Media Innovation and Excellence Award and special recognition from the American Alliance of Museums and the University of Texas Health at San Antonio’s Institute for the Integration of Medicine and Science.

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About the Witte Museum

Founded in 1926, the Witte Museum is where Nature, Science and Culture Meet, through the lens of Texas Deep Time, and the themes of Land, Water, Sky. Located on the banks of the San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park, the Witte Museum is San Antonio’s premier museum promoting lifelong learning through innovative exhibitions, programs and collections in natural history, science and South Texas heritage.

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 the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us locally @ahasanantonio.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. celebrated National Night Out at its Wesley Health & Wellness Center on Tuesday, Oct. 2 . Over 150 community members gathered together with Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ staff and members of local law enforcement for a night of camaraderie, fun festivities, education and information on locally available resources that promote community awareness and crime prevention.

“We typically try to reach people directly where they live, work, play, and pray and this event helps us celebrate all that we can do for our Southside Community. We have proudly organized this event for many years as it provides our neighbors with another chance to get to know one another so that together as a community we can make our neighborhood a safer, better place to live,” said Oanh Maroney-Omitade, vice president of clinical operations for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “It is free fun for the whole family, including games, fitness classes, informational booths, and more with performances by Los Mariachitos de Wesley, Folklorico dancers, Capoeira, and line dancers!“

The Wesley Health & Wellness Center offers a variety of health and wellness programs and services such as medical, dental, counseling, exercise, classes, parenting programs, and nutrition and health education to San Antonio’s Southside and the surrounding community.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a not-for-profit dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured, celebrated the grand opening and dedication of the Dixon Health & Wellness Center on San Antonio’s Southeast Side. The Ceremony began at 10 a.m. Monday, October 1, 2018, at the Center’s new location at 4212 E. Southcross St. and was attended by community and civic leaders, members of the faith and healthcare community, and the area’s city and county elected officials.

The Center is named after Bishop Ernest Thomas Dixon, Jr., who was born and raised in East San Antonio and was the first African-American elected Bishop by the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. “Bishop Dixon is remembered as a champion for social justice and envisioned a community where quality care was available to all, regardless of ability to pay. In recognition of his lifetime of service to the community and as a testament to his legacy, the Center has become a trusted source for quality, compassionate care for the underserved in San Antonio,” reflected Bishop Robert Schnase, Resident Bishop of Rio Texas, Conference of The United Methodist Church

The ceremony also marked the first public event for Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ new Chief Executive Officer, Jaime Wesolowski, who began his tenure at the organization on the same day. Wesolowski stated, “I can’t think of a better way to mark what this day means to me personally, as I transition into my new role as CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries than to celebrate the legacy of compassion and service Bishop Dixon left for us. Bishop Dixon left an indelible mark on the history of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.”

First opened in 1998 as the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic, the center has provided quality primary care, health education programs, behavioral health and case management services for 20 years at its former location at 1954 E. Houston Street. Relocation and expansion plans were made in 2017 after an independent study identified Southeast San Antonio as an area of high need coupled with a lack of health care options for low-income, uninsured families. Over $3M was invested to purchase the former Southeast Baptist Hospital and construction efforts commenced with the purpose of transforming the 20-acre property into a health center serving low-income, uninsured patients. Renovations were completed in 2018 and the clinic was renamed the Dixon Health & Wellness Center to reflect the holistic care now available to the community.

The Center now includes: a state-of-the-art dental suite offering 24 dental chairs and oral surgery; physical therapy offered in partnership with The University of the Incarnate Word School of Physical Therapy; a beautiful courtyard with a walking trail and benches, providing community members and clinic staff alike a safe place to exercise and relax; and a chapel where people can find a quiet place to meditate and pray. Integral to the new Dixon Health & Wellness Center design is a floorplan that facilitates the delivery of services through an integrated care model — meaning patients will be assisted by a team of health care providers (doctors, counselors, dentists, etc.,) to ensure that patients receive holistic care – mind, body and spirit.

Alice Gannon, Board Chair at Methodist Healthcare Ministries added, “We are quite pleased that our neighbors have begun to enjoy the walking paths and the beautiful garden in front of this facility. We hope to add more amenities to the property going forward that the community can continue to enjoy for many years to come, making the new Dixon Health and Wellness Center a true reflection of the legacy Bishop Dixon left us and a place for compassionate care, healing, and wellness.”

The Dixon Health & Wellness Center is strategically located to meet the needs of a population that has been traditionally underserved. The majority of patients have complex medical needs as 49 percent of patients serviced in 2017 suffer from at least one chronic illness, such as diabetes and hypertension and 40 percent suffer from more than one. 82 percent of the patients identify as Hispanic or Latino, 65 percent are women, and 48 percent had income at or below the federal poverty level.

Wesolowski added, “Our mission is the promise that we make, and the standard we set for the care provided to our patients and clients here and across South Texas. The Dixon Health and Wellness Center represents the culmination of years’ work to deliver on that promise for a community on the Eastside that has been often underserved and overlooked by others. We look forward to building on our long-term commitment to this community.”

The Dixon Health & Wellness Center furthers Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by creating access to health care opportunities to the underserved.

The kickoff to Fiesta is right around the corner! In honor of the celebration, we are proud to announce our 2018 Fiesta medal.

As an organization headquartered in San Antonio, Fiesta is a grand celebration that is important to us, and so is the longstanding tradition of Fiesta medals.

Our 2018 medal features our logo, surrounded by a wreath of newly blossomed flowers. Much more than a common symbol of Fiesta, these flowers represent the blossoming growth of our organization. We consider each of our team members a seed that has been planted within our organization to grow and prosper in their ministries. This year, we also have quite a few budding things to celebrate: a relocated clinic, expanded access to care, and of course, new team members! Each of these “flowers” has been planted thoughtfully and watered with our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”

As the custom, the medal was given as a gift to employees and community partners – making its way through the 74 South Texas counties that Methodist Healthcare Ministries operates programs.

While the medal is not up for sale, keep an eye out on our Facebook page next week for a chance to win a medal to add to your collection!

Methodist Healthcare Ministries wishes everyone a happy 2018 Fiesta season!

The board of directors of Methodist Healthcare Ministries has established a $1 million scholarship endowment fund at Texas Lutheran University in honor of the organization’s first president & CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty, who is retiring in 2018 after 22 years of faithful service.

The “Methodist Healthcare Ministries/Kevin C. Moriarty Scholarship Fund” will award scholarships to full-time students enrolled in the nursing program who demonstrate financial need and academic merit. Preference will be given to students who plan to practice the nursing profession in Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area in South Texas.

“Kevin has been a fierce and steadfast advocate for the least served his entire career,” expressed George N. Ricks, chair of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors. “Kevin has devoted himself to ensuring our community – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and neighbors who don’t have health insurance – have access to quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay. We could not think of a better way to celebrate the mark he has left than to grow and nurture the professionals who will deliver the care he has fought so hard to uphold in South Texas.”

The scholarship fund was announced publicly at a farewell reception for Moriarty April 3. Surprising Moriarty with the news, Ricks presented a ceremonial check to Texas Lutheran University President Dr. Stuart Dorsey, and the university’s nursing director, vice president for academic affairs, and interim vice president for development and alumni relations.

“We are grateful to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for selecting Texas Lutheran University Nursing to honor Kevin Moriarty and proud to be associated with Kevin’s exemplary career. His dedication to improving access to quality health care for the underserved in South Texas closely aligns with the mission of our nursing program,” said Dr. Stuart Dorsey, president of TLU.

For over 40 years, Moriarty has been a central figure in San Antonio’s health care and human services sector. His tenure led Methodist Healthcare Ministries to become one of the largest private funding sources for community health in South Texas. Before joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Moriarty served as a public official with the city of San Antonio for over 20 years. Moriarty announced his plans to retire Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ last June (read more). The board of directors has since been engaged in a nationwide executive search to succeed Moriarty (read press release).