Tag: News

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has proudly been a longtime host of the Spurs Youth Basketball League. On March 1, nearly 50 league participants were surprised with a unique experience when San Antonio Spurs player, Bryn Forbes, and Spurs assistant coach, Becky Hammon, led a special basketball clinic at Wesley Health & Wellness Center.

After warm-ups, the evening kicked off with Spurs broadcaster Andrew Monaco who spoke to players about the importance of good sportsmanship and teamwork. He then revealed special guests 6x WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon and guard Byrn Forbes, and introduced the Spurs trainers helping at the clinic. The group of boys and girls split up into groups to rotate doing various 8-minute drills to improve their athletic skills while learning teamwork, cooperation and discipline.

“Giving back to our youth is huge. It’s important to help kids fall in love with the game,” said Forbes. “This means the world to me. It reminds me of when I was younger … seeing NBA players was such a big deal for me so it’s cool to be in this position now and it’s fun to interact with the kids.”

The Spurs Youth Basketball League encourages children to remain in school, act with integrity, say no to drugs, make positive choices, and respect one another. It teaches the importance of learning and understanding the fundamentals of basketball while also having fun in a safe environment.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries hosts the Spurs Youth Basketball League during the winter season. It is open to children at Wesley Health & Wellness Center’s academic hall, camps, and children from the local community ages 6-14. To learn more, contact our Recreation & Enrichment department at (210) 922-6922.
 

According to the American Heart Association, America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers are heart disease and stroke. To increase awareness of heart disease, Methodist Healthcare Ministries proudly sponsored several American Heart Association events, including two in February in celebration of American Heart Month.

More women die from heart disease than from all forms of cancer combined. On Feb. 8, Methodist Healthcare Ministries proudly sponsored the Go Red for Women Luncheon in San Antonio to inform attendees to catch the red flags and encourage women to know their heart health story. Mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends are all at risk of heart disease and stroke. Go Red For Women inspires women to make lifestyle changes, mobilize communities, and shape policies to save lives.

On Feb. 24, Methodist Healthcare Ministries also sponsored the Vestido Rojo Conference, an initiative to address the needs of Hispanic women in San Antonio. Because heart disease is the number one cause of death for Hispanic women, the Vestido Rojo conference empowered women with knowledge and tools so they could take positive action to protect their health. The event included blood pressure screenings, education sessions, exhibitors, and a luncheon packed with entertainment and heart health information.

Looking ahead on April 7, Methodist Healthcare Ministries will be a top-level sponsor at the Go Red for Women Luncheon in Corpus Christi, Texas. The luncheon, organized in part by local Wesley Nurses, will provide women of all generations tips and information on healthy eating, exercise, and risk factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management. For more information on the luncheon and to register, click here.

The American Heart Association movement continues to reach women, men, health care professionals, policy-makers, and even celebrities to embrace and elevate the cause of heart disease. For more information on the American Heart Association, and for helpful resources, visit www.heart.org.

Jan. 16, 10 p.m.: INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE — DELAYED START TIME: All Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ San Antonio area facilities will resume operations at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Patients and clients with appointments before 10 a.m. should call 210-922-6922 with questions and for updates on appointment times. Visit this webpage for additional updates.

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Jan. 15, 7 p.m.: Due to expected inclement weather, all of our San Antonio area locations will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic; School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary; and our corporate headquarters.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit this webpage for the latest updates. Please take note of your local news station for the latest weather updates to ensure you and your family stay safe.

Historical and current policies have created and maintained large disparities in children’s health, education and financial security, according to State of Texas Children 2017: Child Well-Being in the Rio Grande Valley, a new Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) report released today.

The Rio Grande Valley has a unique place in Texas history, but like many Texas regions, a history of discriminatory local practices denied equal access to opportunity for several generations through discrimination and segregation in schools, neighborhoods, places of employment, and the courts. Barriers to housing, employment, and education contribute to far too many children living in poverty and experiencing other troubling disparities.

"These policies and practices may be from the Rio Grande Valley’s past, but they still have a profound effect on the present," said report author Kristie Tingle, a research analyst with CPPP. "The effects of discriminatory policies can last generations, which we can see in the nearly half of children in Hidalgo and Cameron counties that live in poverty."

Graciela Camarena of Children's Defense Fund–Texas and Marsha Griffin from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley spoke as part of an Edinburg event and community discussion about child well-being in the Rio Grande Valley. McAllen Monitor Opinion Editor Sandra Sanchez moderated the conversation, which was sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Key report findings include:

• The majority of children in the Rio Grande Valley live in high-poverty areas (68 percent), while statewide 18 percent of children live in high-poverty areas. High-poverty areas tend to have fewer public and private resources, which means Rio Grande Valley children are more likely than other Texas children to experience under-resourced schools, an unequal opportunity for job-training programs, and more.
• Nearly one in two women in Hidalgo County between the ages of 15 and 44 lacks health insurance. In the rest of Texas, fewer than one in four women of childbearing age lack health insurance. Lack of coverage is related to delayed or inconsistent care should a woman become pregnant.
• An estimated 30 percent of children (or 123,200 children) in Hidalgo and Cameron counties are food-insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy diet. Statewide, 27 percent of children are food-insecure. Hungry children have a harder time focusing on school and are more likely to have social and behavioral problems.

Key policy recommendations:

• Create partnerships between schools, workforce development programs and businesses to promote pathways out of poverty and better support for families.
• Increase access to affordable health insurance for underserved families and women of reproductive age.
• Expand access to school-based child nutrition programs, such as Afterschool Meals, Summer Nutrition and School Breakfast.
• Preserve current health insurance coverage policies to help protect Texas children and families’ physical and financial health:
  • Do not block grant or cap Medicaid. It would lead to fewer Texans covered or coverage with limited benefits.
  • Renew funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – about 400,000 Texas children rely on CHIP to receive the health care they need.
  • Protect the federal subsidies for families who buy health insurance on their own. They are under attack in Congress. Without subsidies, family budgets would take an enormous hit, forcing many families to go without health insurance and not get preventive care or postpone necessary treatments for chronic conditions.

"As an area of the state with hard-working families and an important economy, the Rio Grande Valley can only thrive if we invest in the health, education and financial security of the region's children—across neighborhood and income," said Chris Yanas, Director of Governmental Affairs for Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Looking at the data, we find that too many children in the Rio Grande Valley today continue to face tremendous barriers to opportunities because of the legacy of discriminatory policies.”

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In 2015, Methodist Healthcare Ministries was awarded the Eugene Washington Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Engagement Award to implement the Advancing Health in South Texas Engagement Series. The award gave Methodist Healthcare Ministries the opportunity to develop a coordinated approach to patient-centered research and evaluation in the hopes to create a framework to guide patient participation. We understand the importance of trust in any relationship, but especially between patient and provider. The intention of the series, among others, was to increase patient trust and engagement.

The series was comprised of several engagement sessions, which included community focus groups ("What Matters to You?"); university systems and academic institutions ("Knowledge Sharing Champions"); managed care organizations ("Engaging Health Payers"); town halls with consumers, stakeholders, academic institutions, health groups, health care providers, and payers ("Engaging the Community Voice"); and small group discussions with the town hall stakeholder audience ("Building the Patient-Centered Partnership").

The series attempted to identify and adopt multi-sector strategies based on differentiated but aligned activities through a common research framework by identifying cross-cutting themes in each group. In total, more than 300 residents, stakeholders, and community partners participated.

The comprehensive report and executive summary will provide you with a full look at the series. Highlights include:

• Key findings for each stakeholder session;
• Top dissemination, communication, and collaboration strategy recommendations;
• A synthesis of cross cutting themes by geographic location; and
• A framework of suggested topics and indicator criteria for future community collaborations.

All reports can be found on our website at mhmbridgeofblessings.org/library/south-texas-engagement-series.

We appreciate every community member, partner, and agency that helped make this initiative a success, and ask you to continue to engage with us.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based not-for-profit dedicated to creating access to care for uninsured and low-income families with headquarters in Bexar County and programs in 74 South Texas counties – has selected Korn Ferry, a preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm, to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. The selection of Korn Ferry follows the current and first-ever CEO’s announcement in June of his plans to retire after more than two decades of service.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries, in partnership with HCA Healthcare – one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services, comprising 172 hospitals and 119 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and the United Kingdom – together own the San Antonio-based Methodist Healthcare System. As the local co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission is two-fold: “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” by improving the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church, and ensuring the Methodist Healthcare System continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. It’s co-ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System also provides revenue to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for its programs and services.

“Our partnership with HCA makes Methodist Healthcare Ministries a unique business model as does the programs and services we offer. In addition to operating primary care clinics, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is one of the largest, private funding sources for unfunded patients in South Texas, and is a respected state health policy thought-leader and advocate,” explained George Ricks, who serves as the chair of the Methodist Healthcare Ministries board of directors. “We know Korn Ferry, which is a proven industry leader on a global level, is up to the task of attracting the unique blend of vision, innovation, expertise and experience we need to ensure our continued growth and success in all we do.”

The Korn Ferry team in Texas, which includes offices in Dallas and Houston, will conduct the nationwide search.

“We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries feel confident that our organization, and community, will best be served by working with the Korn Ferry team,” expressed Ricks. “We look forward to welcoming the next generation of leadership to the organization.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based not-for-profit with headquarters in Bexar County and programs in 74 South Texas counties (including those severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey) – has donated $100,000 to the Rio Texas Conference's Disaster Response Fund. Beyond the donation to the Rio Texas Conference, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has also deployed health care staff, supplies and other resources to the effort.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries' 74-county service area mirrors the same geographical area of the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. The donation will assist the Rio Texas Conference's Disaster Response Committee, comprised of trained early response teams equipped to assist local communities after a disaster. Assistance includes expert advice to help communities with immediate needs or recovery plans; distribution of cleanup kits and health kits, volunteer recruitment, home repair, and spiritual and emotional care. The committee works closely with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

"The Rio Texas Conference has been a critical partner to us in serving the unmet health care needs of communities that were already in distress before the disaster," said Knoulton. "The Church has had, and will continue to have, an important role in healing the communities impacted by the devastation."

Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference, stated, "The Rio Texas Conference deeply appreciates the generosity and compassion of Methodist Healthcare Ministries as expressed in this donation. I look forward to our continued cooperation."

Methodist Healthcare Ministries also directed an additional sum of $11,000 to its Wesley Nurse program for hurricane relief efforts to 11 churches. The following United Methodist churches received $1,000 each: Victoria, Goliad, Flower Bluff, Sinton, Corpus Christi, Rockport, Karnes City, New Braunfels, Boerne, Del Rio, Uvalde.

Relief efforts in South Texas include:

• Medical, dental, behavioral and spiritual health care, as well as nursing and case management, at shelters in Bexar, Kerr, Uvalde, La Salle, Nueces, Val Verde, Travis, Kleberg, San Patricio, Aransas, Jim Wells, Goliad, Victoria, Jackson, Gonzales, Calhoun, Bastrop and Caldwell counties.
• Direct health care services by physicians, nurses and behavioral health staff from Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Health & Wellness Center, Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic and School Based Health Centers. Transportation to the clinics is also offered.
• Donations of durable medical equipment and health care supplies (walkers, canes, etc.)
• Connecting families, assessing patients and addressing health care needs through our Wesley Nurse program. Nearly 30 Methodist Healthcare Ministries' regional staff members, including Wesley Nurses and Community Counselors who work directly out of United Methodist churches, have been on the ground and will continue to support community recovery efforts in various South Texas counties.
• Medication assistance as needed.
• Working alongside the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church to understand where short- and long-term resources need to be focused.
• Working with relief organizations and case managers on-site at hurricane relief locations to determine how we can help to transition those needing ongoing care into our network, as appropriate.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries extends thoughts and prayers to all who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, especially patients and clients who may have been injured or whose homes may have been damaged during the storms. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is also grateful to staff members working hard to help those in need in affected areas, especially those helping others despite damage to their own homes.

For more information about Methodist Healthcare Ministries visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org. For more on the Rio Texas Conference and their disaster response, visit https://riotexas.org/harvey.

Sunday, Aug. 27 4:00 p.m. – All San Antonio and surrounding area operations will open for regular business hours tomorrow, Monday, August 28.

All appointments originally scheduled at Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic for Monday, Aug. 28 and Tuesday, Aug. 29 will be moved to Wesley Health & Wellness Center. For questions, please call Wesley Health & Wellness Center at (210) 922-6922.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted by the hurricane, especially patients/clients and team members whose families may have been injured or homes damaged during the storms.

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Friday, Aug. 25 2:00 p.m. – In preparation for heavy rains and possible flooding due to Hurricane Harvey, all of our San Antonio area locations (Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic; School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary and our corporate headquarters) will close at 3:00 p.m. Arrangements will be made to reschedule afternoon appointments.

All appointments originally scheduled at Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic for Monday, Aug. 28 and Tuesday, Aug. 29 will be moved to Wesley Health & Wellness Center. For questions, please call Wesley Health & Wellness Center at (210) 922-6922.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit this webpage for the latest updates. Please take note of your local news station for the latest weather updates to ensure you and your family stay safe.

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Thursday, Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. – The safety of our patients, clients, and team members – throughout all of our 74-county service area – is important to us. As Hurricane Harvey makes its way to South Texas, it is likely that San Antonio will also experience severe weather and flooding.

In anticipation of inclement weather, all appointments originally scheduled at Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic for Friday, Aug. 25 will be moved to Wesley Health & Wellness Center. For questions, call (800) 959-6673.

Please take note of your local news station for the latest weather updates to ensure you and your family stay safe.

Originally posted by the Valley Morning Star.
By RAUL GARCIA, staff writer

SANTA ROSA — The district's Get Fit summer camp has kicked off.

The program teaches children the importance of health and fitness.

Santa Rosa High School seniors are employed as camp helpers.

"We are very excited about the program and it is beneficial to the whole community," said Rebecca Corpus, Santa Rosa High School principal.

The Get Fit program is a wellness program funded by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

This is the second consecutive year the district has rolled out this program, Corpus said.

The key components of the camp teach the students the importance of nutrition, physical development and character building through the arts.

Corpus said the program helps the high school students earn extra money during the summer, and helps them get ready for college.

She said 25 seniors were hired to work with the students enrolled in the summer program.

The seniors will assist the camp instructors in teaching exercise and nutritional techniques to the participating students.

Alberto Trevino, Santa Rosa Independent School District's After School Program project director, said the summer camp assistants are a big help to the staff, carrying out the daily camp activities.

The program will serve 150 students from grades first through eighth.

It is a 16-day camp held during the month of June, Monday through Thursday.

Every Thursday students will go on a field trip to an area museum, kayaking, bicycling, fishing, bowling, or to the movies.

Students will also use the local swimming pool on Wednesdays.

"They will learn many skills and leadership development they will need when they go to college or work," Trevino said. "They get the experience of actually working."

To view news article on the Valley Morning Star, click here.

Kevin C. Moriarty sets his course for departure

For 21 years, Kevin C. Moriarty has served as the president and chief executive officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. But today, Moriarty announced his plans to retire marking the end of an extraordinary career of faithful service to South Texas. Moriarty will continue to serve as CEO until a successor is named and successfully on-boarded. The Methodist Healthcare Ministries' board of directors will engage an executive search firm to evaluate candidates for CEO.

"Kevin's service and commitment to the patients, clients and communities we serve across South Texas over these many years have been steadfast and he has been the fiercest of advocates for the least served, an innovator, and an exemplary model of servant leadership for the MHM team of talent he has led during his tenure," said George Ricks, the chair of the Methodist Healthcare Ministries board of directors. "I know I speak for everyone on the board of directors when I say that we at Methodist Healthcare Ministries deeply respect and admire Kevin for his passion, tenacity and bold leadership."

Kevin was selected to serve as Methodist Healthcare Ministries' first-ever chief executive officer in 1996, one year after a unique and unprecedented partnership was brokered between Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and the former Methodist Hospital Board of Trustees which later founded the Methodist Healthcare Ministries organization and transformed the singular Methodist Hospital into the Methodist Healthcare System.

In his role as President and CEO, Moriarty is responsible for advancing the dual objectives of Methodist Healthcare Ministries' mission: To improve the health of the least served in The United Methodist Church's Rio Texas Conference area and oversight of the quality and charitable activities of the Methodist Healthcare System. Accordingly, Moriarty has been primarily responsible for the executive administration of the primary care medical and dental clinics owned and operated by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, sustaining the grants portfolio, and setting the research, advocacy and policy direction for the organization.

"As a father of five children, I have been driven to provide for all our communities the same levels of care that I would require for my family. Accepting this job 21 years ago has been one of the greatest adventures of my life," expressed Moriarty. "I arrived in San Antonio over 40 years ago as a very young man from New York with hope that I would find a career that was both meaningful to me and gave me an opportunity to make a positive difference in peoples' lives. I was lucky to do it first as a public official with the City of San Antonio for over 20 years, but incredibly blessed to do it again as CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries for over 21 years. To have done all this in the community where I have raised my family and proud to call home is something for which I am very grateful!"

Through the partnership with HCA, Moriarty grew Methodist Healthcare Ministries' strategies for community health from a budget of $3 million for 2,900 clients in 1996, to a budgeted expenditure of $105 million in 2017 through contracts with partners and operated programs impacting 300,000 patients per year in 2017.

The number of nonprofit partners funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries has grown significantly under Moriarty's leadership; from four grant-funded programs through three nonprofit agencies in 1996 for a total of $1.3 million to more than 120 grant-funded programs to more than 90 partners in 2017 for a total of $26.7 million.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has also played a pivotal role in the development of state policies under Moriarty's leadership that have helped countless low-income families and the uninsured across the state access care. Under his direction and through his advocacy, the organization played a pivotal role in the development of the Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) and the Texas Women's Health Program. In Bexar County, Moriarty led and supported local efforts to fluoridate the water supply in San Antonio, develop the Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving and Sharing Program—also known as WINGS, the Health Collaborative and Health Access San Antonio or HASA, and managed Methodist Healthcare Ministries' $7.1 million gift to fund construction of Haven for Hope's medical, dental, vision and intake facility in 2008. Outside of Bexar County, Moriarty was vital to the collaboration that established the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the Coastal Bend at the time and which remains a critical source of care for that region's uninsured population. He also created funding relationships through the FQHC network in San Antonio and throughout the 74 counties of the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church with 17 FQHC's.

"What has motivated me and fills my heart with joy was to try as best I could to live up to what John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, asked of all who follow in this faith tradition: That I did all the good I could do, in all the places I was able, and for as many people as I could," said Moriarty. "There is more to do, and I am confident this organization is prepared for what lies ahead, just as I am ready for the next adventure in my story to begin. This is the legacy I leave for the next generation of leadership at Methodist Healthcare Ministries."

Upon his retirement, Moriarty will remain actively engaged in the community. "I look forward to sharing my gifts and talents in new ventures and relationships, creating pathways forward, for San Antonio and Texas."

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. 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 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. 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is pleased to congratulate its partner Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) for being recognized as a 2017 World's Most Ethical Company® by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

HCA is one of only seven companies honored in the health care provider category this year. This marks the eighth consecutive year the award is granted to HCA – a leading health care provider with 171 hospitals and 118 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and the United Kingdom. The award is designated for organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company.

Together, HCA and Methodist Healthcare Ministries equally own the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest faith-based health care provider in San Antonio and South Texas.

"Congratulations to our partner, HCA, for this prestigious recognition," said Kevin C. Moriarty, President/CEO for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "This honor calls attention to HCA's continuous commitment to ethical business practices and the excellent care that is provided to our shared patients. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to have a partner whose high ethical standards are aligned with our own principles and commitment to quality and excellence."

In 1955, the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church chartered the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital; it opened in 1963. Its purpose was to deliver and promote improved health care as well as enhance access to health care, with concern to include those least served. From this charter and that first hospital, Methodist Healthcare System was formed in 1995 and today is the largest health care provider in San Antonio and 24 surrounding counties. Since 1995, in joint partnership with HCA, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has retained one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System and provides the local governance to ensure that the Methodist Healthcare System continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed.

To read the full release honoring HCA, click here. 

Campaign to support three Federally Qualified Health Centers in South Texas

San Antonio (April. 12, 2017) – 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 – announced its support of a new American Cancer Society campaign, "Cancer Prevention: It's worth a shot." Methodist Healthcare Ministries will donate $500,000 to the American Cancer Society for a comprehensive, two-year cancer prevention initiative focused on increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among medically underserved children in South Texas served by local and regional Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and to support a community-based HPV vaccination education campaign for parents and families.

"Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to support the American Cancer Society's HPV prevention campaign," stated Kevin C. Moriarty, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "At our clinics, we often see patients that are beyond the prevention stage of treatment. To be a part of such a pivotal campaign, a campaign using proven results, and knowing that through the campaign's partnerships low-income families will have access to the vaccine, is especially meaningful to us at Methodist Healthcare Ministries." As part of this effort, the American Cancer Society will partner with three Federally Qualified Health Centers (Amistad Community Health Center, Atascosa Health Center and CentroMed), all of which Methodist Healthcare Ministries has had a long-standing relationship.

The HPV vaccine has been proven safe and effective in the prevention of infection as well as cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. The HPV vaccination rate goal of Healthy People 2020 (a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative) aims for vaccine coverage for boys and girls ages 13-15 to be 80%, receiving at least three doses of the HPV vaccine. Per the 2015 National Immunization Survey, the vaccine rates in San Antonio for girls ages 13 to 17 was 32.8 percent, and 19.9 percent for boys ages 13 to 17. Although preventive care like vaccinations is covered by Medicaid and many private insurance plans, thousands of children, especially in clinics that serve those in greatest need, go without vaccinations that could protect them.

"We are honored to lead this effort with the valuable support of Methodist Healthcare Ministries," said Suncerria Tillis, senior director of primary care systems at the American Cancer Society. "The American Cancer Society has made HPV vaccinations a top mission priority. Vaccinating children gives health care providers and parents the powerful opportunity to prevent HPV-related cancers in the future. The FQHC's we work with will be instrumental in this effort as well."

Based on an assessment of current practice, the American Cancer Society will work with each FQHC to build a customized program that will include provider education, patient outreach, education, and follow-up, as well as other quality improvement efforts. Each FQHC partner will receive capacity building funding to support their comprehensive program. The project aims to employ approaches to increase provider recommendation and vaccination coverage levels that will be sustained beyond the funding period.

View a previously recorded live-stream of the news announcement on Facebook.com/mhmstx. Follow the conversation using #mhmstx and #2shots2preventCancer.

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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. 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 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 American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 23 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.