Rudyard Hilliard, M.D.
Board Member
Award Winning 2017 Fiesta Medal Announced
Fiesta has now begun! In honor of the celebration, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to introduce our 2017 Fiesta medal.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries' official Fiesta medal pays homage to an establishment significant to the organization's history, Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic, which was envisioned in 1997. This year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the clinic with festivities to include celebrating its relocation from San Antonio's Eastside to the Southeast side, and its expansion to a 20-acre property (read more). Like its namesake, the clinic has become a reliable source for quality, compassionate care for the underserved in San Antonio.
As an organization headquartered in San Antonio, Fiesta is a grand celebration that is important to us, as well as the longstanding tradition of Fiesta medals.
We are proud to announce that our 2017 Fiesta Medal won first place in the 2017 San Antonio Express-News Fiesta Medals Contest in the medical/health category. The contest drew more than 450 entries and was judged by three newsroom veterans, all longtime medal connoisseurs and collectors.
The medals were 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 medals are not up for sale, keep an eye out on our Facebook (@mhmstx), Twitter (@mhmstx) and Instagram (@mhmstx) pages next week for a chance to win a medal to add to your collection!
Methodist Healthcare Ministries wishes everyone a happy 2017 Fiesta season!
Methodist Healthcare Ministries donates $500,000 to American Cancer Society HPV Initiative, “Cancer Prevention: It’s Worth a Shot”
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 www.mhm.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.
Funded Partner Spotlight: CentroMed, increasing access to health care in San Antonio
Since it's grassroots beginnings in 1971, integrated primary care clinic, CentroMed, has grown to become a trusted source for low-income families in and around San Antonio. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has proudly supported CentroMed since 1996 through funding for health care services and capital expansion projects.
"We're really honored to work with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, a great partner of CentroMed for over 20 years," expressed CentroMed Vice President of Development & Marketing, Ana Maria Garza Cortez. "Without Methodist Healthcare Ministries' support, I'm not sure that many of our buildings would be in existence today."
A major component of Methodist Healthcare Ministries' and CentroMed's partnership includes care for the uninsured, including the homeless, to make an affordable primary care home accessible to those least-served, thus improving their health outcomes.
"CentroMed is honored to serve six homeless shelters in San Antonio. We provide the medical and primary health care services that our community needs. We couldn't do that without the support of Methodist Healthcare Ministries," stated Cortez. "In addition to support for building facilities and growing our services, we're fortunate that Methodist Healthcare has been a partner in providing grants and programs so patients can get the health care they need at a very low cost."
In March 2017, after assessing a lack of health coverage in the Indian Creek area, CentroMed announced the groundbreaking of their new health and wellness center (view photos of the groundbreaking day).
"There was not a single primary care provider in the area," stated Marina Gonzales, executive manager for special projects at CentroMed. "We decided to build an adequate facility to fit the needs of the community. We're fortunate to have a partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries who came on board early on in support of the growth of our new medical clinic, which will encompass a primary care clinic on one side and an adjacent wellness center."
"Our community continues to grow, and we see many families that still need access to health care," said Cortez. "With the support of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we can continue to provide those services, and by working together, we can keep our community healthy."
Learn more about grant-making at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. To learn more about CentroMed, visit http://centromedsa.com/.
The Rock: A few words from a Wesley Nurse
By Rhonda 'Sue' Hunnicutt, RN, Wesley Nurse (Luling, Texas)
Recently, my husband and I were able to get away together to catch a few local estate sales. This was a rare opportunity for the both of us, and luck just wasn't with us on our treasure hunt. After lunch in Seguin, Texas, we took a back-road home hoping we might happen upon one or two more sales. Luckily, and quite by accident, we did.
As soon as I walked into the living room of the home where the sale was being conducted, an unusual print on the wall caught my eye. I don't usually find artwork to my taste at estate sales, but this one kept drawing me in, especially when I read the words superimposed on the print. It was a quote from Plato, "The part can never be well unless the whole is well." As a Wesley Nurse, we take a 'holistic' approach to health — mind, body, and spirit. This seemed perfect for my office. As I looked at the picture closely, I began to truly appreciate it. It reminded me of rocks covered in lichen, that I saw as a child, and as an adult hiking at Enchanted Rock. I thought, "There's no way this item will be priced at a price I can afford," but I had to ask anyway. It turns out the price was very reasonable so naturally, I had to buy this work of art for my office.
The cashier, her husband, and I conversed, as people tend to do at estate sales (one of the reasons I love going to them). We discussed how this print fit into the mission of a Wesley Nurse. Being in Seguin, and doing as most Wesley Nurses do, I switched gears to work mode and I asked the couple if they knew they had a Wesley Nurse in Seguin. "Why yes, we do," the man stated, his chest puffing up with pride. "Danna Dyess — we go to church with her!"
The print was accompanied by a card of authenticity, which had just a snippet on the print's origin. The print, aptly named "The Rock," was created by a local Seguin artist, Kolleen Kallus, who used a rock down the road from her home as inspiration. I was so excited to come upon such a treasure. I had to know more. I looked up the website for Kolleen's business listed on the card, Hope at the Heart®. From there, the most beautiful story unfolded. The story of a thirteen-year-old girl who had endured the shock and horror of stage-four ovarian cancer and survived! You see, by the time many women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it's too late, and yet this teenage girl endured and triumphed over the chemotherapy and many surgeries required for her survival. As I read on, tears were flowing. She went on to follow her heart and used art as an expression of her faith, and still does so today. Clearly, she lives for God and gives Him the glory in her artwork and stories. Though Kolleen started out with photography, she gravitated toward her love of acrylics to create her beautiful works of art. Her relationship with Christ shines through her work and provides hope and inspiration to those who may feel hopeless.
Her story was so touching. I wanted to know more about the wonderful print of hers that I now owned, and about the person who created it. I found Kolleen on Facebook and reached out to her. Within a short time, she reached back! We have had lovely conversations, and she is an inspiration to me. She said that she is inspired by the roles of the Wesley Nurses, and was happy that the print found the home that it did. There are only two prints of "The Rock" — mine, and another commissioned by a physician in San Antonio.
Some may say it was coincidence, but I believe "The Rock" found me. The story is so much bigger than the print. It was God, our rock, my rock, THE rock, leading me to another sister in Christ. I feel honored that Kolleen has allowed me to re-tell her story. As so often happens in life, those 'nudges' or 'God winks' (as some people refer to them), lead us together for a higher purpose. I believe that happens in life more than we know, we just need to take the time to listen or watch for them.
Until next time, be well and be blessed.
Rhonda Hunnicutt, RN, is a Wesley Nurse with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurse program is a faith-based, holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least served through education, health promotion and collaboration with individual and community in achieving improved wellness through self-empowerment. Learn more at www.mhm.org.
Discovering more on mental health
By Sharon Skaggs, Wesley Nurse, Austin
Last February, my fellow Wesley Nurse, Eileen Stedl-Walter, and I had the opportunity to host an exhibit table at the 17th annual Central Texas African American Family Support Conference held in Austin, Texas. The table was shared with one of Methodist Healthcare Ministries' funded partners, Planned Living Assistance Network of Central Texas (PLANCTX). The conference was provided by Austin Travis County Integral Care (ATCIC) along with community sponsors from both public and private sectors. More than 400 people attended the event and had access to 30 interactive workshops about mental health, developmental and intellectual disabilities, chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders.
In November 2000, according to the ATCIC, integral care took its first step towards addressing myths about mental illnesses and health disparities by hosting the inaugural conference with culturally relevant information for African Americans. The conference's ongoing mission has been to strengthen family and individual awareness of available health care services, both behavioral and physical, through culturally sensitive education, support, and partnerships. The conference targets the African American community but embraces all members of the community regardless of race. In addressing these vital issues over the years, the conference has also sought to reduce stigma about mental illness in the African-American community. One speaker, Tamu Lewis, summed it all up when she stated: "there is no health without mental health."
The event had an inspiration wall which asked the questions: Why are you here? Why is the conference important? What will you take away? The wall was completely covered with thoughtful answers from the attendees.
The conference was an excellent opportunity to increase our awareness of issues facing our community, gain knowledge about wellness, recovery and professional development, learn about area resources, and network with our peers. We were happy to represent Methodist Healthcare Ministries at the conference.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurse program is a faith-based, holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least-served through education, health promotion and collaboration with individuals and communities to achieve improved wellness through self-empowerment. Learn more at www.mhm.org/programs/health-ministries.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries earns 2016 Constant Contact All Star Award for second consecutive year
Recognized Among Top 10 Percent of Customers Driving Powerful Email Marketing Results
For the second consecutive year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been named a 2016 All Star Award winner by Constant Contact, part of the Endurance International Group, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: EIGI) family of brands and the trusted marketing advisor to hundreds of thousands of small organizations worldwide. The annual award recognizes the most successful 10 percent of Constant Contact's customer base, based on their significant achievements using email marketing to engage their customer base and drive results for their organization during the prior year.
"We're pleased to be recognized by Constant Contact for achieving strong marketing results and engaging with our readers," said Jessica Muñoz, director of communications at Methodist Healthcare Ministries." Constant Contact's tools have helped us better manage relationships with our clients, patients, funded partners and other audience members, and we plan to continue the open line of communication in the year ahead."
Small businesses and nonprofits using Constant Contact's email marketing tools are eligible for this award. Criteria used to select this year's All Stars included the following during 2016:
• Level of engagement with email campaigns
• Open, bounce, and click-through rates
• Use of social sharing features
• Use of mailing list sign-up tools
• Use of reporting tools
"Email marketing continues to deliver the highest returns of any marketing channel. Yet its ability to engage customers, drive awareness, boost sales, and increase donations isn't always a given. It requires a balance of best practices and relevant content delivered through a powerful email marketing engine," said Jamie Waldinger, Senior Director Corporate Development & Strategy, Constant Contact. "This year's All Stars embody that balance and we laud Methodist Healthcare Ministries' achievements with this All Star Award."
To receive the latest Methodist Healthcare Ministries news (general news, upcoming events, research and policy publications, Sí Texas Project news, School Based Health Center updates, etc.), please subscribe to our mailing list.
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 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.
About Constant Contact
Constant Contact, an Endurance International Group company and a leader in email marketing since 1995, provides hundreds of thousands of small businesses around the world with the online marketing tools, resources, and personalized coaching they need to grow their business. For more information, visit: www.constantcontact.com.
About Endurance International Group
Endurance International Group (NASDAQ: EIGI) (em)Powers millions of small businesses worldwide with products and technology to vitalize their online web presence, email marketing, mobile business solutions, and more. The Endurance family of brands includes: Constant Contact, Bluehost, HostGator, iPage, Domain.com, BigRock, SiteBuilder and SinglePlatform, among others. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, Endurance employs more than 4,000 people across the United States, Brazil, India and the Netherlands. For more information, visit: www.endurance.com.
