Author: DW Admin

Austin, TX (March 24, 2023) – All children – regardless of race, class, gender, or national origin – deserve to fulfill their potential and have the opportunity to thrive. Over the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have had a compounding effect on existing inequities affecting Texas children. It’s time for the Texas Legislature to make meaningful investments in our future to ensure all children in our state have their basic needs met.

Every year, Every Texan publishes a report on the status of children in Texas to measure how well they are doing across a variety of categories, such as economic security, health and safety, and educational outcomes. This year’s report reflects the increasing challenges that Texas children are facing as a consequence of not only the COVID-19 pandemic but the systemic inequities that have caught up with population health and social outcomes. Explore the full report and policy recommendations here.

In a panel discussion hosted by Every Texan and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., on March 24, policy experts discussed key findings and policy recommendations from the book. Every Texan’s Chief of Legislative Affairs Luis Figueroa moderated the discussion with State Representative Diego Bernal, Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, Councilwoman Adriana Rocha-Garcia, and Dr. Johnelle Sparks. See the recording of the event here.

“The data shows that too many children in Texas continue to face barriers to opportunity based on race and ethnicity, gender identity, and family financial security,” said Marisa Bono, Every Texan CEO. “Short-sighted public policies and inadequate investments have created barriers keeping children from reaching their maximum potential. Our legislators can – and must –offer children an equitable opportunity to experience a healthy, thriving childhood to prepare them to lead Texas into the future.”

“The Texas Kids Count Report is a valuable tool. It has long provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of children’s health in Texas, covering critical areas such as physical and mental health, access to healthcare, educational outcomes, and socioeconomic factors that influence overall well-being,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We must use the insights from the Kids Count Report to drive meaningful action and collaboration between community organizations, healthcare providers, policymakers, and concerned citizens.”

Acknowledgments
Every Texan gratefully acknowledges Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., for their financial support of this publication. This report is part of the Texas KIDS COUNT project, a national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the U.S. funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The opinions expressed in the report are those of Every Texan and do not necessarily reflect the views of Methodist Healthcare Ministries or the Foundation.

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About Every Texan
Every Texan believes that social justice requires public policy. Since its founding in 1985, Every Texan (formerly the Center for Public Policy Priorities) has leveraged public policy to expand opportunity and equity for Texans of all backgrounds. Every Texan is a nonprofit organization that researches, analyzes, and advocates for public policies to achieve equitable access to quality health care, food security, education, and good jobs. Learn more at everytexan.org.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

San Antonio, TX (March 7, 2023) – 16 community coalitions from across South Texas have been selected for the third cohort of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together (PJTT) Learning Collaborative. The coalitions are all based in three geographic areas: Bexar County, the Mid-Border region (Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala counties), and the Laredo area (Webb, Zapata, and Jim Hogg counties). They will begin a six-month learning collaborative in March 2023 and explore various frameworks to ultimately equip themselves to develop and implement a health equity strategy for their community.

Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together is a capacity-building opportunity for communities to substantially accelerate their journey from health to equity.  MHM believes communities hold the solutions to improve their health and well-being. The goal of the collaborative is to equip coalitions with skills and resources to strategically advance health equity, using the Pathways to Population Health framework as a guide.

“The Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together program is one of the ways that we advance our strategic focus of strengthening communities,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “It has been an invigorating experience for our team as it  allows us to have a stronger and deeper level of engagement where we learn and co-create the solutions with people who live, work, pray, and play in the communities we serve.”

This is the third cohort of MHM’s Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative.  The first cohort was launched in 2021.  The curriculum for the Learning Collaborative was developed in partnership with WE In the World and Rio Grande Valley Language Justice Collective.

The coalitions selected for the cohort include:

Bexar County

• Mission of Motherhood
  • American Indians in Texas, The Peace Initiative, Opportunity Home, Alamo Workforce Solutions
• Earth Warriors
  • Black Freedom Factory, De Corazon Consulting, SanArte, Sustainable G’s
• Bexar Community Care Coalition
  • Kalpulli Ayolopaktzin, Yanawana Herbolarios, De Corazon Consulting, Corazon Ministries
• San Antonio Harm Reduction
  • Corazon Ministries, Yanawana Herbolarios, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, Monster Moms Inc., San Arte, Black Freedom Factory

Mid-Border Region

• Eagle Pass Public Health
  • Maverick County Hospital District, Eagle Pass SAFE, City of Eagle Pass
• The Support Hub
  • City of Eagle Pass, Healing Hearts, Eagle Pass Public Library
• Southwest Initiative for Mobility (SWIM)
  • SWART, Alamo Ambulance Services, ADA Rider, City of Del Rio Transportation Department
• Maverick County Special Needs Coalition
  • Eagle Pass HEROES, Maverick County Hospital District, City of Eagle Pass

Laredo Area

• Un Paso Adelante Por Salud
  • Texas A&M, Christ Church Episcopal, San Francisco Javier Catholic Church, Laredo First Assembly Church, United Baptist Church of Laredo
• Healthy Community Advocates of South Texas
  • South Texas Food Bank, Laredo College, Gateway Community Health Center
• Creciendo Juntos
  • Area Health Education Center, MPH Salud, Las Promesas de Laredo
• Laredo Green District Development
  • Rio Grande International Study Center, Azteca Economic Development & Preservation Corporation, Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability, Laredo Main Street, MileOne, City Makery, Monte Mucho Audubon Society, City of Laredo Health Department
• Zacate Creek Creative
  • Daphne Art Foundation, City of Laredo Parks & Recreations, Able City, Laredo Film Society

• Laredo Healthy Food Systems
  • City Makery, Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability, City of Laredo Health Department
• Drug Free Communities (FACE)
  • South Texas Promotora Association, Gateway Community Health Center,  Holding Institute
• Laredo Health Promotores
  • Laredo Health Department, Laredo Stroke Support, El Metro, Bethany House of Laredo

During the learning collaborative, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Communities of Solutions (CoS) team supports the coalitions in developing a multi-sector collaboration that incorporates persons with recent lived experience of the challenges that the coalition is tackling into the coalition’s leadership team. The goal is for community coalitions to identify and focus on one vital community condition (such as humane housing or reliable transportation) that contributes to the well-being of the entire community. Each coalition creates a strategic framework or plan of action for advancing health equity. The CoS team meets regularly with the coalitions, schedules monthly check-ins to build rapport and trust and also offer support as the coalitions learn and grow.

After completing the Learning Collaborative, coalitions are invited to apply to the Implementation Phase. The Implementation Phase lasts 3 years and includes funding as well as capacity-building resources. Although coalitions will focus their time working in community, they will still be invited to collaborate with each other through convenings and peer coaching & learning.

For more information on the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative, visit: https://www.mhm.org/thriving-communities/.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

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16 coaliciones comunitarias seleccionadas para el Colaborativo de Aprendizaje Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together de Methodist Healthcare Ministries

San Antonio, TX (7 de marzo de 2023) – 16 coaliciones comunitarias del sur de Texas han sido seleccionadas para la tercera cohorte del Colaborativo de Aprendizaje Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together (PJTT) de Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Todas las coaliciones están basadas en tres áreas geográficas: El condado de Bexar, la región media de la frontera (condados de Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde y Zavala) y el área de Laredo (condados de Webb, Zapata y Jim Hogg). Comenzarán un colaborativo de aprendizaje de seis meses en marzo de 2023 y explorarán diversos marcos con el objetivo de equiparse para desarrollar y aplicar una estrategia de equidad en la salud para su comunidad.

Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together es una oportunidad de desarrollo de capacidades para que las comunidades aceleren sustancialmente su camino de la salud a la equidad.  MHM cree que las comunidades tienen las soluciones para mejorar su salud y bienestar. El objetivo del colaborativo es equipar a las coaliciones con habilidades y recursos para avanzar estratégicamente en la equidad en la salud, utilizando como guía el marco de los Caminos hacia la Salud de la Población.

“El programa Prosperemos Juntos  | Thriving Together es una de las formas en que avanzamos en nuestro enfoque estratégico de fortalecer las comunidades”, dijo Jaime Wesolowski, Presidente y Director Ejecutivo de Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Ha sido una experiencia vigorizante para nuestro equipo, ya que nos permite tener un nivel de compromiso más fuerte y más profundo en el que aprendemos y co-creamos las soluciones con las personas que viven, trabajan, oran y juegan en las comunidades que servimos.”

Esta es la tercera cohorte del Colaborativo de Aprendizaje Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together de MHM.  La primera cohorte se lanzó en 2021.  El currículo para el Colaborativo de Aprendizaje fue desarrollado en asociación con WE In the World y el Colectivo de Justicia Lingüística del Valle del Río Grande.

Las coaliciones seleccionadas para la cohorte incluyen:

Condado de Bexar

• Mission of Motherhood (Misión de la Maternidad)
• • American Indians in Texas, The Peace Initiative, Opportunity Home, Alamo Workforce Solutions (Indios Americanos de Texas, Iniciativa PEACE, Hogar de Oportunidades, Soluciones de Fuerza Laboral de Álamo)
• Earth Warriors (Guerreros de la Tierra)
• • Black Freedom Factory, De Corazon Consulting, SanArte, Sustainable G’s (Fábrica de la Libertad Negra, Consultoría De Corazón, SanArte, G’s Sostenibles)
• Bexar Community Care Coalition (Coalición de Cuidado Comunitário de Bexar)
• • Kalpulli Ayolopaktzin, Yanawana Herbolarios, De Corazon Consulting, Corazon Ministries (Kalpulli Ayolopaktzin, Yanawana Herbolarios, Consultoría De Corazón, Ministerios de Corazón)
• San Antonio Harm Reduction (Reducción de daños en San Antonio)
• • Corazon Ministries, Yanawana Herbolarios, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, Monster Moms Inc., San Arte, Black Freedom Factory (Ministerios Corazón, Yanawana Herbolarios, Alianza para la Reducción de Daños de Texas, Mamás Monstruo S.A., San Arte, Fábrica de la Libertad Negra)

Región Media de la Frontera

• Eagle Pass Public Health (Programa de Salud Pública de Eagle Pass)
  • Maverick County Hospital District, Eagle Pass SAFE, City of Eagle Pass (Distrito Hospitalario del Condado de Maverick, Eagle Pass SAFE, Ciudad de Eagle Pass)
• The Support Hub (El Centro de Apoyo)
  • City of Eagle Pass, Healing Hearts, Eagle Pass Public Library (Ciudad de Eagle Pass, Corazones Sanadores, Biblioteca Pública de Eagle Pass)
• Southwest Initiative for Mobility (SWIM) (Iniciativa para la Movilidad en el Suroeste)
  • SWART, Alamo Ambulance Services, ADA Rider, City of Del Rio Transportation Department (SWART, Servicios de Ambulancia de Alamo, Viajero ADA, Departamento de Transporte de la Ciudad de Del Rio)
• Maverick County Special Needs Coalition (Coalición de Necesidades Especiales del Condado de Maverick)
  • Eagle Pass HEROES, Maverick County Hospital District, City of Eagle Pass (Eagle Pass HEROES, Distrito Hospitalario del Condado de Maverick, Ciudad de Eagle Pass)

Área de Laredo

• Un Paso Adelante por la Salud
• • Texas A&M, Christ Church Episcopal, San Francisco Javier Catholic Church, Laredo First Assembly Church, United Baptist Church of Laredo (Texas A&M, Iglesia Episcopal de Cristo, Iglesia Católica de San Francisco Javier, Iglesia de la Primera Asamblea de Laredo, Iglesia Bautista Unida de Laredo)
• Healthy Community Advocates of South Texas (Defensores de la Comunidad Saludable del Sur de Texas)
• • South Texas Food Bank, Laredo College, Gateway Community Health Center (Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas, Colegio de Laredo, Centro de Salud Comunitario Gateway)
• Creciendo Juntos
• • Area Health Education Center, MPH Salud, Las Promesas de Laredo (Centro de Educación de Salud del Área, MPH Salud, Las Promesas de Laredo)
• Laredo Green District Development (Desarrollo del Distrito Verde de Laredo)
• • Rio Grande International Study Center, Azteca Economic Development & Preservation Corporation, Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability, Laredo Main Street, MileOne, City Makery, Monte Mucho Audubon Society, City of Laredo Health Department
    (Centro Internacional de Estudios Río Grande, Corporación Azteca de Desarrollo Económico y Preservación, Centro de Laredo para la Agricultura Urbana y Sostenibilidad, Laredo Main Street, MileOne, City Makery, Sociedad Audubon Monte Mucho, Departamento de Salud de la Ciudad de Laredo)
• Zacate Creek Creative (Creatividad Arroyo Zacate)
• • Daphne Art Foundation, City of Laredo Parks & Recreations, Able City, Laredo Film Society (Fundación de Arte Daphne, Parques y Recreaciones de la Ciudad de Laredo , Able City, Sociedad de Cine de Laredo)
• Laredo Healthy Food Systems (Sistemas de Alimentación Saludable de Laredo)
• • City Makery, Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability, City of Laredo Health Department (City Makery, Centro de Agricultura Urbana y Sostenibilidad de Laredo, Departamento de Salud de la Ciudad de Laredo)
• Drug Free Communities (FACE)(Comunidades sinDrogas)
• • South Texas Promotora Association, Gateway Community Health Center,  Holding Institute (Asociación Promotora del Sur de Texas, Centro de Salud Comunitario Gateway, Instituto Holding)
• Laredo Health Promotores (Promotores de Salud de Laredo)
• • Laredo Health Department, Laredo Stroke Support, El Metro, Bethany House of Laredo (Departamento de Salud de Laredo, Grupo de apoyo para los accidentes cerebrovasculares en Laredo, El Metro, Bethany House of Laredo)

Durante el colaborativo de aprendizaje, el equipo de las Comunidades de Soluciones (CoS) de Methodist Healthcare Ministries apoya a las coaliciones en el desarrollo de una colaboración multisectorial que incorpore al equipo de liderazgo de la coalición a personas con experiencia reciente de los retos que la coalición está abordando. El objetivo es que las coaliciones comunitarias identifiquen y se centren en una condición vital de la comunidad (como una vivienda digna o un transporte fiable) que contribuya al bienestar de toda la comunidad. Cada coalición crea un marco estratégico o plan de acción para promover la equidad en salud. El equipo de las Comunidades de Soluciones se reúne periódicamente con las coaliciones, programa reuniones mensuales de seguimiento para fomentar la relación y la confianza y para ofrecer apoyo a medida que las coaliciones aprenden y crecen.

Una vez concluida la fase del Colaborativo de Aprendizaje, se invita a las coaliciones a solicitar el paso a la Fase de Implementación. Esta fase dura tres años e incluye financiación y recursos para el desarrollo de capacidades. Aunque las coaliciones centrarán su trabajo en la comunidad, se les seguirá invitando a colaborar entre sí a través de convocatorias y entrenamiento y aprendizaje entre los mismos miembros de las coaliciones.

Para más información sobre el Colaborativo de Aprendizaje Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together, visite:  https://www.mhm.org/thriving-communities/.

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Acerca de Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries amplía la definición de la atención médica proporcionando atención clínica de bajo costo para las personas sin seguro y apoyando los esfuerzos dirigidos por la comunidad que mejoran las condiciones de vida que causan que las personas se enfermen en primer lugar. Utilizamos nuestras ganancias como copropietarios de Methodist Healthcare para garantizar que las personas económicamente desfavorecidas y sin seguro médico puedan llevar una vida más sana. Para ello, defendemos, invertimos y facilitamos el acceso a una atención clínica de calidad y abordamos los factores que afectan a la salud, como la movilidad económica, las relaciones de apoyo, la seguridad alimentaria, el acceso a la banda ancha y los barrios seguros. En última instancia, cumplimos nuestra misión de “Servir a la humanidad para honrar a Dios” fomentando la equidad en salud para que las personas y las familias que viven en los 74 condados en los que prestamos servicio puedan prosperar.

UPDATE JANUARY 31, 2023 – 4:00 p.m. (San Antonio, TX) Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries San Antonio area locations will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; and our Corporate Office.

George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary will be closed following school district closures.

Dental patients who had existing appointments before 11 a.m. will be rescheduled. Dental appointments scheduled after 11 a.m. will resume in-person. Medical patients who had existing appointments from 8 a.m. to – 11 a.m. will be performed via telehealth. Medical appointments after 11 a.m. will resume in-person.

Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

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Debido a las inclemencias del tiempo, todas las ubicaciones de Methodist Healthcare Ministries en el área de San Antonio abrirán a las 11 a.m. el miercoles 1 de enero de 2023. Esto incluye: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; y nuestra Oficina Corporativa.

El George Ricks School Based Health Center en la Escuela Primaria Krueger y el George Ricks School Based Health Center en la Escuela Primaria Schertz estarán cerrados después del cierre de los distritos escolares.

Los pacientes dentales que tenían citas existentes antes de las 11 a.m. serán reprogramados. Las citas dentales programadas después de las 11 a. m. se reanudarán en persona. Los pacientes médicos que tenían citas existentes de 8 a. m. a 11 a. m. se realizarán a través de telesalud. Las citas médicas después de las 11 a.m. se reanudarán en persona

Las operaciones fuera del área de San Antonio seguirán las pautas de los distritos escolares locales. Por favor, llame a su contacto local de Methodist Healthcare Ministries para obtener orientación sobre los programas y servicios.

La seguridad de nuestros pacientes, clientes y miembros del equipo es de suma importancia. Visite mhm.org para conocer las últimas novedades.

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January 31, 2023 (San Antonio, Texas): Due to inclement weather, all San Antonio-area Methodist Healthcare Ministries locations will delay opening to 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 31. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; Wesley Nurse sites and our Corporate Office.George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary are closed following SCUC ISD and Marion ISD school closures.

Patients who had existing appointments before 10 a.m. will be rescheduled.Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services. 

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

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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 www.mhm.org.

McAllen, Texas (January 25, 2023) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M Health  hosted a community conversation featuring a panel discussion to explore the current status of the two important studies they launched together in April 2022. The two-year studies are examining arsenic and other toxic contaminants occurring in residential drinking water sources within colonia communities along the Rio Grande border and are also training the next generation of citizen scientists and cultivate a love of learning science for students in South Texas. 

The projects aim to test and capture measurements of existing health risks of exposure to water contaminants, develop solutions for how to reduce the risk of exposure for communities near where contaminated water is found, collect important data for the community that can be used to implement the necessary solutions and train the next generation of citizen scientists and cultivate a love of learning science for students in South Texas.

The community conversation featured a panel discussion that explored where the studies stand today, preliminary findings, and potential policy recommendations that will be shared at the conclusion of the study in 2024.  The panel included Jaime Wesolowski, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, John Mogford, PhD, COO and Senior Vice President of Texas A&M School of ublic Health, and Garett Sansom, DrPH, who is one of the leads on the research project.  The moderator for the panel was Texas Tribune environmental reporter, Erin Douglas.

The project is a vital first step in creating a proof of concept that will then be applied throughout the Texas-Mexico border to improve the lives of these often-overlooked communities. 

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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 www.mhm.org. 

About Texas A&M University Health Science Center:

Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) comprises five colleges (dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health) and several centers and institutes with a shared mission of advancing health care for all. We serve the state and beyond with campuses and locations in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Learn more at health.tamu.edu or follow @TAMUHealth on Twitter.

San Antonio (Dec. 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.  partnered with Methodist Healthcare for the tenth consecutive year to donate nearly 120 decorated Christmas trees to underserved families in San Antonio. As part of their annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Texsan and Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan participate in a tree decorating contest. Following the competition, the trees, along with 64 wreaths decorated by departments at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak, are given to families in need served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. 

“Having an opportunity to spread some Christmas joy to families in need continues to bring incredible pride and joy to our team members who work tirelessly every day to help support resilient families across the communities we serve” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “This annual tradition between our organization and Methodist Healthcare hospitals that participate further supports our shared mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God” and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share the Christmas spirit and holiday cheer with our community.”

This year, the San Antonio Spurs partnered with Methodist Healthcare to help spread even more holiday cheer as players Doug McDermott and Isaiah Roby, Spurs Coyote and Spurs  Hype Squad will be on hand to greet families and help load up the Christmas trees. 

The families receiving Christmas trees are selected from Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ existing patients and clients who receive care through its Parenting Programs, Recreation & Enrichment services, Behavioral Health and the Wesley Nurse program. This year, a Winter Wonderland will be created inside the Wesley Health & Wellness Center for the families to enjoy while waiting to pick out their tree.

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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 www.mhm.org.

About Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare is a 50-50 co-ownership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., South Texas’ largest non-public funding source of community health care for uninsured patients; and HCA Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services. This creates a unique partnership that ensures Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to benefit the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. Methodist Healthcare invested $756 million in charity and indigent care to the community in 2020 alone. With 30 facilities, including nine hospitals and eight freestanding emergency departments, over 685,000 inpatients and outpatients are served annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 12,500, making the system the second largest private employer in San Antonio. With more than 3,400 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. And with 25 surgical robots, Methodist Healthcare is a national leader in robotic surgery, as well as home to the nation’s largest Live Donor Kidney Transplant program. Visit SAHealth.com to learn more.  

San Antonio (November 23, 2022) – On Tuesday, November 22, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. hosted its annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for the community around the Wesley Health & Wellness Center on the South side of San Antonio in-person for the first time since 2019.  Each year, MHM provides a tasty and fresh Thanksgiving meal to its patients, clients, their families, neighbors and staff. This annual tradition started back in 2009 and is a fun, festive event that embodies our mission to “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”  

“I consider us family at Methodist Healthcare Ministries and I also think that everybody we serve is part of our family, so it’s great to be able to share with them some food, some comraderie and some good times as we thank God together for the blessings we all have,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Preparations for this event, a true team effort, begins weeks in advance with MHM’s kitchen staff ordering the food and supplies needed to prepare the feast, which takes days to prepare. This year, they prepared enough food to feed 450 community members, volunteers and staff.  They prepared 100 turkeys, 75 pounds of mashed potatoes, 75 pounds of green beans, 75 pounds of stuffing, 50 gallons of gravy, 30 pounds of cranberry sauce, 500 rolls, dessert and more. Staff from across the organization, including corporate officers and board members, volunteer in different ways to greet guests and serve them a warm meal along with warm fellowship and hospitality.

Bringing this event back to in-person warmed the hearts of MHM staff and volunteers as it remains one of the organization’s most cherished traditions. The event allows patients and clients from all walks of life the opportunity to come together for a special day of thanks, grace and community.  

For a video with highlights from our 2022 luncheon, please click here.

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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 www.mhm.org.  

Maverick County, Texas (October 12, 2022) – Maverick County is ready to put a Technology Action Plan into place following a broadband engagement convening conducted in partnership with Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas) and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Over the course of eight months, members of the Maverick County Broadband Committee, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and CN Texas gathered surveys from residents, businesses, and representatives from multiple industry sectors throughout the county, including agriculture, education, health care, libraries, public safety, and government. Survey responses helped inform a plan aimed at improving broadband adoption, access, and use in Maverick County. 

The Maverick County Community Broadband Survey was provided at no cost to Maverick County residents thanks to a $51,000 grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries said, “These survey results will help frame the direction the community wants to take moving forward and we’ll be there alongside them on this journey. COVID 19 taught us that digital access is no longer an optional amenity, but rather an essential utility necessary to thrive and survive in today’s world.” 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a faith-based, nonprofit organization focused on improving the health and wellness of the least served. In Maverick County, Methodist Healthcare Ministries offers free health and wellness services through its Wesley Nurse program, located at the Eagle Pass First United Methodist Church. 

As part of the broadband engagement, Maverick County residents, businesses, and community institutions were asked to complete broadband surveys through the Connected Community Engagement Program. The program empowers local leaders and communities through collaborative, data-driven technology planning. To date, Connected Nation has helped more than 650 communities across the country build comprehensive Technology Action Plans. Between February and June 2022, 643 households in Maverick County responded to the community survey. The survey showed that 55.4% of households in Maverick County reported subscribing to fixed internet service. Cost of service was the top barrier for households that did not subscribe to home internet service. 35.2% of households and 37.5% of businesses reported that they were dissatisfied with their current internet service, with slow speed, cost and the unreliability of connection cited as the top reasons for their dissatisfaction. 

The Technology Action Plan provided to Maverick County includes the following recommendations:

Goal 1: Improve internet speeds and digital equity in Maverick County through greater education, participation, and planning 

Goal 2: Ensure that Maverick County residents have access to internet, regardless of income level 

Goal 3: Bridge digital literacy gaps in Maverick County to improve workforce and higher education readiness and quality of life 

Goal 4: Ensure that the Maverick County agricultural sector has access to high-speed internet, technology resources, and education to improve efficiency and profitability 

Goal 5: Improve health care outcomes for Maverick County residents by increasing access to broadband technology 

The survey results and the action plan were shared at a community event held on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade (ICT). The event was hosted by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and included remarks by City of Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ President & CEO, Jaime Wesolowski, and Connected Nation’s Executive Vice President – Development & Planning Chris Pederson, Director of Local & Regional Planning Molly Weiner, and Broadband Solutions Manager Catherine Krantz. 

“Maverick County residents, business owners, and community leaders have spoken,” said Judy Canales, Executive Director, Eagle Pass Maverick County Economic Development Alliance. “Our area needs reliable and affordable broadband internet services. The Maverick County broadband survey showed our top challenges are the cost of internet service and the lack of available and reliable broadband service. The Connect Maverick Broadband Council is organizing to follow up with the survey results and recommendations and identify opportunities for investing in broadband internet improvements in Eagle Pass and Maverick County. We invite community members to join this effort.” 

To view the full results of the Maverick County broadband survey, visit: 
https://connectednation.org/maverick-county-texas/. 

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About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is a local division of the national nonprofit Connected Nation. Its mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.

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 www.mhm.org.