DW Admin – Page 32 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Inside Methodist Healthcare Ministries: Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator

DW Admin on September 30, 2015

Q&A with Isela G.

Question: What do Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators do at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM)?

Answer: As a registered and licensed dietitian, I teach health education specific to how the foods we consume impact our overall health and well-being. I'm passionate about education and using the right foods to promote a healthy lifestyle. I earned the added designation, Certified Diabetes Educator, which means I've completed additional training to help clients prevent and manage this debilitating disease.

Question: What's your typical day look like?

Answer: During a typical day, I receive referrals from the physicians and nurse practitioner at MHM's Wesley Health & Wellness Center to help educate clients who have different medical needs including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, obesity, food allergies or are underweight. My day may also consist of consultations with individuals regarding diabetes self-management and smoking cessation. I often partner with nurse health educators during the year to help teach diabetes self-management group classes.

Question: What is the best part of your job?

Answer: As a health educator, the best part of my job is being able to work directly with patients at the early intervention stage. I educate and motivate people to eat healthier, become more active and take better care of their health. I like to think of myself as a personal health coach who encourages clients to lead a healthier lifestyle, so they can improve their quality of life. I love my job as a health educator and feel fulfilled a the end of the day when I see clients reach their weight loss goals, become more active, improve their eating habits, significantly improve their lab values and reduce their medication.

Question: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Answer: I enjoy circuit training (combination of cardio and resistance training exercises), running, reading, cooking, baking, singing and dancing.

Question: What do you love about living in Texas?

Answer: What I love most about Texas is the crazy hot weather. Many people complain about it, but I actually love San Antonio, Texas weather.

Editor's Note: Join the MHM Challengers team and our team captain, Isela G., at the American Diabetes Association's Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes on Saturday, October 31 at Mission County Park Pavillions in San Antonio, Texas. We're making a difference and you can too! Walk with us or donate today.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries featured in grantee spotlight from the Social Innovation Fund

DW Admin on September 30, 2015

"The Social Innovation Fund's support was pivotal for Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., but transformational for South Texas."

Believe it or not, a year has passed since we were awarded a grant from the Social Innovation Fund – a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Social Innovation Fund grantees come from a variety of disciplines, but they all work to develop innovative, community-based solutions that have evidence of results.

We are proud to be among the grantees featured in the Social Innovation Fund's Portfolio Spotlights this month.

Read on to find out what we've learned from the first year of our Social Innovation Fund Program: Spotlight on: 2014 Grantees – One Year Into Their SIF Grant.

South Texas Grantmakers partner to revitalize Rio Grande Valley health care

DW Admin on September 18, 2015

The partnership between the Legacy Foundation and Methodist Healthcare Ministries took shape after the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), invested in Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas project, an initiative designed to test strategies effective in treating diabetes and depression in communities with high rates of poverty, obesity and other associated risk factors. The federal investment from the SIF was matched by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and now the Legacy Foundation has stepped up to sustain the effort locally by providing a dollar-for-dollar match to each of the Rio Grande Valley organizations taking part in the project. In total, the Legacy Foundation will provide $3.3 million in support of the initiative.

According to Randall Baker, executive director at Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, the partnership with MHM was a natural fit and came at a pivotal moment in the organization's development, "We at the Legacy Foundation just completed our second funding cycle for 2015 and we are especially pleased to count the network of Rio Grande Valley providers, who are laying the groundwork for such an extraordinary opportunity to improve the health of our communities, among our grantees."

The Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation was established in 2011 and was the result of a joint venture between Valley Baptist Health System and Vanguard Health System. As a result of this transaction, the Foundation received proceeds that are the source of funds for its grant making program. This year marks the foundation's second year of funding, which amounts to a total of $ 8,000,000 invested in programs and services operated in the Rio Grande Valley by its grantees.

"Partnership is engrained in the Legacy Foundation's mission—it is at the core of our approach to grant-making. I know through our partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries we will have a lasting impact in this region," says Baker.

Six of the nine agencies taking part in the Sí Texas Project will be presented with grant funds from the Legacy Foundation:

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

The funding provided to these agencies represents 49 percent of the total funding the Legacy Foundation will provide this year, and it has committed to continue funding the effort for the next five years.

"Both Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Legacy Foundation share a mission of serving the least served and are driven by the principles of our faith and connection to the community we serve," explains Kevin C. Moriarty, president and chief executive officer at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "There is a tremendous need and demand for healthcare services in the Rio Grande Valley, yet the access to care is severely limited—not just in terms of what is available to those who are uninsured or low-income, because conditions like diabetes and depression do not discriminate based on one's income, but the lack of coverage makes it all the more difficult to treat those conditions. That's why this partnership is so unique and timely; the investment the Legacy Foundation has made today, and their commitment to the initiative into the future, will help to test and prove strategies for treating diabetes and depression that will work for others far beyond the Rio Grande Valley—our goal is to find a method that can be replicated across the nation."

The Legacy Foundation funds organizations that improve the quality of health in the lower Rio Grande area, and is currently accepting applications for its 2015 funding cycle. The deadline to apply for grant funds is November 1, 2015. To learn more about the Legacy Foundation's grant-making program, interested applicants are invited to attend a funding forum on Friday, September 18 at the Harlingen Public Library hosted by the Legacy Foundation. For more details visit www.vblf.org.

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About Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation

The Legacy Foundation, in the tradition of Valley Baptist Health System, invests in and serves as a catalyst for ideas, partnerships, medical education, research and programs that improve the health and quality of life in South Texas. The Foundation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. For more information, visit www.vblf.org.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes MHM's one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

El Valle Regional Summit in McAllen

DW Admin on September 18, 2015

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. hosts summits throughout the year in select regions for community leaders, elected officials, partners, program sites, team members and key stakeholders to collaborate and leverage collective resources to more effectively address the unmet health care needs in South Texas.

Although Methodist Healthcare Ministries is headquartered in San Antonio, we have a deep reach into South Texas. Our programs and services span 74 counties in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. Methodist Healthcare Ministries' regional summits are intended to convene non-profits, health care providers, small businesses, engaged citizens and elected officials to build a network of groups and individuals dedicated to improving the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of their community.

The El Valle Regional Summit took place on Thursday, September 10, 2015 in McAllen. The program consisted of the following:

Opening breakfast panel: Growing roots in the Rio Grande Valley
Panel: The Rio Grande Valley's Collective Impact, Unidos Contra Diabetes
Lunch panel: Giving in the Rio Grande Valley
Workshop: Demonstrating the value of your work to funders
Workshop: The power of email marketing & social media

The day concluded with a press conference and closing reception. To attend a summit in your area, join our mailing list. Sign up at www.mhm.org or text MHMSTX to 22828.

South Texas grantmakers announce partnership to revitalize Rio Grande Valley health care

DW Admin on September 9, 2015

McAllen, Texas – Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation is making its mark in the Rio Grande Valley, and potentially the nation, through a bold and innovative effort to improve the health of South Texas in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.—the largest, private funding source for health care services in South Texas. On Thursday, September 10, the Legacy Foundation will present six Rio Grande Valley agencies with grant funds totaling $3.4 million at a gathering of health care providers and advocates from across the region, to support local efforts to test strategies effective in treating diabetes and depression in communities with high rates of poverty, obesity and other associated risk factors.

During the event, the Legacy Foundation will present a ceremonial check representing its current contribution to the initiative as well as present each grantee with their awards.

WHO:

Kevin C. Moriarty, president & CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Matt Gorges, chair, board of directors, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation
Randall Baker, executive director, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation
Judy Quisenberry, grants director, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation

WHAT: Presentation of $3.3 million investment in Rio Grande Valley organizations with ceremonial check presentation

WHERE: McAllen Convention Center (700 Convention Center Blvd. 78501)

WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow at 5:00 p.m.

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About Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation

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 providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes MHM's one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

Hundreds turn out for wellness fair

DW Admin on September 3, 2015

Uvalde, Texas—Nearly 200 free backpacks were provided and given away by the office of state Senator Carlos Uresti during the first hour of the Community Wellness Fair.

The fair was held Aug. 14 at the Uvalde High School cafeteria as a part of National Health Center Week celebration.

Community Health Development Inc. (CHDI) and Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District teamed up for the event that was made possible through the support of local businesses and community members.

The wellness fair theme was, "Wellness Fair Carnival – where wellness can be fun." Not only did the fair present booths on health and wellness, all children in attendance left with several bags of swag.

In addition to free backpacks, they received healthy snacks, balloons, toys, school supplies, tote bags and children's books.

Some of the older children were able to give blood and several younger children received immunizations they were lacking. Organizers held a prize drawing and every 10 minutes a new winner was announced.

The UHS Hi-Steppers painted faces in line with the carnival theme.

"Our 14th annual Wellness Fair was a huge success thanks to the support of so many, including this year's co-sponsors: UCISD, Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse Program, Texas Agri-Life Extension Center, ETT, Pfizer and Henry Schein," said Rachel Gonzales-Hanson of CHDI. "The planning committee was instrumental in making this a community event in every way. Uvalde Leader-News and Uvalde Radio KVOU/KUVA/KBNU provided wonderful support by letting people know about the fair. We had approximately 700 attendees and over 40 agencies participating. The feedback we have received has been positive and attendees expressed a deep appreciation for the efforts of so many. This continues to be a outstanding event to begin the new school year and celebrate National Health Center Week."

This article originally appeared in the Uvalde Leader-News and can be viewed by clicking here.

Community event shines spotlight on kidney health

DW Admin on August 28, 2015

By Billy S., RN, Wesley Nurse

KidneyCheck-July2015 Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) in collaboration with The Texas Kidney Foundation hosted a free kidney health screening event at First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi (900 S. Shoreline Blvd.) on Saturday, July 11. The community event was open to the public and provided a kidney panel test along with the opportunity for participants to counsel with onsite doctors and nurse practitioners. The individual consultations allowed for personal discussion about diabetes related chronic conditions and helped attendees learn firsthand how to prevent long-term complications. Additional services included blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol checks as well as a resource fair with representation from more than 20 local agencies. Family counseling, diabetes education, prescription assistance and charitable medical clinic referrals were a few services offered at the highly impactful event.

In South Texas, statistics involving incidents of diabetes and pre-diabetes are staggering. Complications from diabetes can cause cardiac related issues, which makes events like the Texas Kidney Check so vital. Over 90 participants were successfully screened and many expressed gratitude to both the church and the supporting agencies for providing this important service to Corpus Christi and surrounding counties. The accessibility of the health screening, interactions with the medical providers and the information provided through the resource fair made the event a great success for those underserved in our local community.

Special thanks to the following agencies for their collaboration: Texas Kidney Check; the First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi; CHRISTUS Spohn Care Van; and Dr. Cynthia Salloum and associates with Bay Area Kidney Specialists.

‘Journey to Wholeness’ with MHM at HMA annual meeting

DW Admin on August 28, 2015

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

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

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

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

Texas Tribune Fest comes to UT Austin in October

DW Admin on August 26, 2015

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is excited to sponsor the 2015 Texas Tribune Fest October 16-18 on The University of Texas at Austin campus. The annual Festival is an innovative and engaging three-day event for people who are passionate about the issues that affect all Texans. Each year, the Festival brings together some of the biggest names in politics to explore the state's and nation's most pressing issues.

"Methodist Healthcare Ministries' support of the Texas Tribune is an indication of our commitment to advocating for Texas' least served. Our policy and government relations arm advocates for policies that advance the health and well-being of families and their communities. Events like the Texas Tribune Festival bring key stakeholders in politics together to have these critical discussions," explains Chris Yanas, director of governmental affairs at MHM.

This year marks the third consecutive year MHM has sponsored the Texas Tribune Festival. Join us at this important event. Learn more at texastribune.org/festival.

Health and Safety Day helps more than 220 Colorado County children prepare for new school year

DW Admin on August 26, 2015

By Debora S., RN, Wesley Nurse

DeboraShimek The Colorado County Circus of Health and Safety Day was held July 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Columbus Elementary School in Columbus, Texas (105 Cardinal Lane). I was happy to collaborate with a great group to help organize the 2015 event, including the AgriLife County Extension Agent, Columbus County Hospital and the Columbus Department of Health and Human Services. The health and safety day was a perfect example of community collaboration and local partnerships meeting the needs of our residents.

More than 220 children and 110 adults participated in the countywide event. Each child received a backpack filled with supplies for school. They also received timely health and safety information from a variety of organizations present on the day of the event. The planning team was overjoyed with raising nearly $3, 225, which helped purchase the backpacks and supplies for the children.

Families had the opportunity to view seatbelt safety demonstrations and receive car seat checks provided by the Columbus Community Hospital Nurses. At the Methodist Healthcare Ministries' booth, I shared information about nutrition, the importance of physical activity and hygiene. The Columbus EMS, fire department and police department had popular outdoor booths. A representative from the Lower Colorado River Authority was onsite to share all-terrain vehicle safety tips. Snow cones and water were also provided to help everyone cool down outdoors.

One of the highlights of the morning was the visit by the Life Flight helicopter. The helicopter surprised everyone when it landed in the school's playing field. The children really enjoyed the opportunity to see inside the aircraft. It was a great educational tool and fun opportunity for all!

The 2015 health and safety day proved to be a successful event. I was thankful to be involved because I know the event helped lessen the financial burden on parents as they prepare their children for a new school year. Knowing the event helps so many makes me extremely proud of our outreach within the community.

Is Texas doing it for the kids?

DW Admin on August 25, 2015

Guest blog submitted by Jennifer Lee with the Center for Public Policy Priorities

The new national KIDS COUNT® Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation reminds us how challenging it is to be a kid in Texas. Once again, Texas ranked among the ten worst states for children.

There were a few bright spots for the Lone Star State including improved math proficiency for eighth graders, and a decrease in the number of kids living in families where no parent has full-time employment. And some policy improvements in the past legislative session intended to improve the quality of pre-kindergarten are a good first step to getting children on a solid educational footing. But our state is missing too many opportunities to support our kids.

Texas' poor ranking in many measurements of child-wellbeing, from education and health care to families' economic security, threatens the next generation of Texans and the caliber of the state's workforce. We're a proud state, and we all want our children to have a bright and prosperous future, but our policies aren't supporting the development of healthy, well-educated children and economically secure families.

Over the past five years, Texas kids have experienced very slow and uneven progress in many important areas, and are generally still worse off than before the recession. A growing number of Texas children live in a high-poverty neighborhood, where there are fewer opportunities in education, and where health and safety are at risk. Notably, one in four Texas kids live in poverty, a number that has remained consistent since 2008, despite the booming economic growth the state has experienced in recent years.

Texas has improved in many categories related to children's health, but the state still has far to go.

The rate of Texas children without health insurance improved from 18 to 13 percent from 2008 to 2013. 13 percent may not sound like a big number, but it represents almost 900,000 kids, ranking Texas 2nd worst in the country for kids without health insurance. Research shows that if Texas did more to insure parents, then more kids would get insurance coverage by extension.

Texas can turn the tide, but only by adopting comprehensive policy solutions – like closing the health care Coverage Gap – that benefit children of all backgrounds and prepare them to be healthy, well-educated and financially secure. All Texas kids – regardless of race or ethnicity – should have the chance to compete and succeed in life.

Visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center for the most recent national, state and local data on hundreds of indicators of child well-being. The Data Center allows users to create rankings, maps and graphs for use in publications and on websites, and to view real-time information on mobile devices. Click below to view the entire KIDS COUNT 2015 Data Book.

This article originally appeared on the Center for Public Policy Priorities blog, Better Texas Blog. To view, click here.

Largest faith-based grantmaker in South Texas expands network of local providers benefitting from multi-million dollar initiative

DW Admin on August 14, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

Rio Grande Valley

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

Laredo

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

Coastal Bend

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

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

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

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is a private, faith-based not-for profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes MHM's one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhm.org.

About The Corporation for National and Community Service

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