DW Admin – Page 5 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

An Economic Mobility Study Building Upon the Strengths of San Antonio

DW Admin on September 22, 2022

On August 31, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, along with key partners and members of the community gathered at The Neighborhood Place in the Westside of San Antonio to learn more about how economic mobility approaches and interventions can positively impact the city of San Antonio and other communities.

The more than 100 attendees at the event listened to a keynote presentation by Charles J. Homer, M.D., M.P.H who has served as a clinician and researcher on national healthcare, education, and economic mobility focused initiatives. His presentation gave an in-depth look into why it is important to address inter-generational poverty in our communities and strategies that promote economic mobility. He also discussed how different interventions, such as cash assistance, and science-based coaching and recognition, can work together to positively impact individual and community-wide health and life outcomes. Click here to view his remarks.

After lunch, a panel discussion focused on how one local intervention—the San Antonio G.O.A.L.S. Initiative—has the potential to transform and strengthen the financial independence and well-being of resilient individuals and families. Click here to read more about the San Antonio G.O.A.L.S. Initiative. The panel, moderated by Dr. Homer, included representatives from our key community partners on the G.O.A.L.S. Initiative, alongside our President & CEO, Jaime Wesolowski.

Community Conversation Panelists

Charles J. Homer, M.D., M.P.H (moderator)
Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Kim Janey, President and CEO, EMPath
Mary Garr, President and CEO, Family Service
Andrea Figueroa, Executive Director, Empower House
Erica Sosa, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor, Public Health, UTSA HCAP

The San Antonio G.O.A.L.S. Initiative

Methodist Healthcare Ministries commissioned The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Health Community and Policy (HCAP) to serve as third-party evaluators of the economic mobility research study, looking at two different interventions: cash assistance and economic coaching, specifically EMPath’s Mobility Mentoring^®.

The research focuses on understanding how Cash Assistance and a type of partnership called Mobility Mentoring^® contribute to financial stability and economic mobility in Bexar County. We want to understand the combined impact of these interventions on financial self-sufficiency, while learning about the factors or participant characteristics that affect the impacts of the interventions. We want to learn about what works best for different people in Bexar County. Recruitment is currently underway . The application is open to individuals ages 18-60 who live in one of 13 priority zip codes with an income that is less than 150% of the federal poverty line. Families living in these zip codes have some of the highest levels of poverty in Bexar County. One person per household may apply, and 575 people will be selected to participate.

After two years, we hope that the findings we learn can help inform our future strategies and investments around economic mobility, as well as serve as a model for other communities and organizations to follow. Ultimately, we want to see what impact these interventions can have on health and well-being of these community members and imagine what this could mean for all of South Texas.

During the Q&A portion of our community conversation, several attendees asked how the G.O.A.L.S. Initiative would take into consideration the difficulty our communities experience with participation in research. Attendees shared that fear of discrimination, language difficulties and lack of access to healthcare were some of the reasons community members do not participate in research studies. The G.O.A.L.S. Initiative is internally guided by Dr. Inez Cruz, who leads Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ research efforts. Dr. Cruz acknowledged that “historically a tension exists between diverse communities, especially communities of color, and research recruitment.” She noted that two prominent deterrents to participation in research studies are lack of trust and appropriate incentives. However, over the years Latino researchers, and researchers in general, have striven to address these concerns.

Dr. Cruz added, “As a researcher, I need diverse communities, to participate in research if we want our findings to be reflective of the community we serve.” For San Antonio, this means not only Latino/a/x, immigrant, and Black community members but also other individuals and communities historically underrepresented in research, including indigenous communities and people with disabilities. The G.O.A.L.S. Initiative began with community surveys and focus groups to ensure that our research directly incorporated community feedback. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has partnered with trusted community-based nonprofits (Family Service and Empower House). The study will be accessible to participants in English and Spanish and we will also work to accommodate other languages and individuals with disabilities in an effort to reduce barriers to participate. And finally, the G.O.A.L.S. Initiative recognizes the value of our community’s time and expertise. At a minimum each participant can receive $250 in gift cards over the two years for completing surveys with the potential for either economic coaching, cash assistance or a combination of both.

Why is Methodist Healthcare Ministries supporting this effort?

Two years ago, Methodist Healthcare Ministries commemorated 25 years of service to communities across South Texas. As we crossed the quarter-century mark, we asked ourselves: “Were the health and well-being of communities across South Texas improving?”

The answer for many of our patients and clients was—yes! However, when we looked at overall population health metrics across communities in our service area, we saw that many community-wide metrics were not improving. We knew we had to set a course for the next 25 years to make broader, community-wide impact. So, we committed ourselves to a new strategic vision and plan rooted in health equity.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Commitment to Health Equity:

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. believes that to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” it must recognize the inequities inherent in its communities that contribute to poor health outcomes. Health Equity is both the process and goal by which Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to carry out that purpose. Health Equity is a framework of thought and action that strives to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life and contribute to that of others.

As part of our new strategic plan and focus on health equity, we committed to impacting systemic change in the communities we serve, and economic mobility is one of our focus areas.

Our work to advance health equity includes addressing systemic and root causes of inequity to disrupt the cycle of inter-generational poverty. As we examined those roots, poverty, especially generational poverty, stood out as being one of the strongest risk factors for poor health. Particularly, the link between financial well-being—and physical and mental health.

Financial independence directly contributes to our quality of life—it impacts where we can live, what types of foods and services we can access, the quality of our education and access to healthcare. Generational poverty is when poverty persists in a family for at least two generations and is affected by employment, economic, education, and other community-wide systems that have historically excluded and marginalized entire communities through racism, sexism, and other injustices. To disrupt cycles of generational poverty and improve the social and economic factors that impact community health outcomes, solutions must acknowledge the inherent dignity of each person and the circumstances that exist across communities. Solutions should build upon existing assets of individuals and communities and allow individuals and families to best meet their financial needs and life goals.

There are several steps Methodist Healthcare Ministries is committed to taking in order to address generational poverty and promote prosperity. We are going to identify, invest in, and support approaches that address root causes of poverty and financial outcomes for individuals and families living in poverty. We will focus on strengthening financial inclusion, knowledge, behaviors and opportunities through financial information, education and coaching opportunities, along with capital and asset building to develop financial capability and security.

Our hope is that in two years, when the results of this economic study emerge, we will have a clear understanding of the approaches and strategies that can help strengthen families and foster thriving communities across our service area. We hope the findings will be a model for other organizations and communities to follow to promote generational prosperity across the country.

It’s a lofty goal, for sure, but doing so will be just one more example of our efforts to bring the words of John Wesley to life. We’ll be doing all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can.

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Resources

MHM Announces $120,000 Grant to Justice for All Immigrants in Corpus Christi

DW Admin on August 2, 2022

Corpus Christi, Texas (August 2, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. awarded Justice for All Immigrants (JFAI) a $120,000 grant to provide immigration legal services to individuals and families living South Texas communities. This is the first time Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided JFAI with funding. The current agreement runs through April 2023.

Through these funds, JFAI opened and operates a field office in Corpus Christi, located inside the Rio Texas Conference – United Methodist Church’s Coastal Bend District Office at 3510 Gollihar Road Corpus Christi, TX 78415. Here, Diona Johnson, an immigration attorney, began providing immigration legal services to individuals and families in July 2022.

JFAI is using the funds to 1) educate the community about the immigration process and laws and their roles in that system, 2) hold legal clinics open to the community, 3) provide training to Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ staff members and their partners, 4) provide individualized legal assistance in the referrals from Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ staff, and 5) provide direct legal representation for all JFAI clients.

“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we believe that health care is more than just caring for your medical needs, but also addressing the inequalities present in communities that prevent all of our neighbors from thriving,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “By ensuring our immigrant neighbors have the legal information and access to quality legal services, we are helping them advance and thrive in the communities we serve.”

In 2021, JFAI was presented with the opportunity to expand its immigration services to the South Texas region due to the permanent closure of another immigration services provider, San Antonio Region Justice for Our Neighbors (SARJFON). Its closure created a service void in the rural counties in South Texas. Given the population of immigrants in the region, the need for JFAI to expand its services became apparent in order to ensure that immigration legal services are available and being rendered to deserving individuals.

“We are so excited to expand into Corpus Christi and provide immigration legal services for the community in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries,” said Joy Green, Legal Director at Justice for All Immigrants. “Our staff attorney in Corpus Christi, Diona Johnson, started working in July, and has been a tremendous asset to our team. She is eager to serve those in greatest need. We look forward to this continued partnership.”

By working towards a more equitable society for immigrants, JFAI creates the pathway out of poverty to self-sufficiency. For more information, visit justiceforallimmigrants.org or call (361) 356-7553.

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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 Justice For All Immigrants: Justice For All Immigrants began in 2014 as Houston/East Texas Justice For Our Neighbors, and became Justice for our Neighbors Houston in 2016. In June 2021, it changed its name to Justice For All Immigrants to better represent the work they perform across Texas. JFAI’s mission is to provide low-income individuals and families with affordable, high-quality immigration legal services and engage in immigration education and advocacy. It continues to be part of the national Justice For Our Neighbors network and a United Methodist Ministry.

MHM Announces $120,000 Grant to Justice for All Immigrants in San Antonio

DW Admin on July 18, 2022

San Antonio (July 18, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is pleased to announce its partnership with Justice for All Immigrants (JFAI) to provide immigration legal services for individuals and families living in South Texas communities. The one-year grant provides $120,000 to support the hiring of legal staff for JFAI’s San Antonio field office, located at 1400 Guadalupe Street.

The goal of this effort is to expand access to legal immigration services available to South Texas communities. JFAI will use the funds to educate local residents and community-based organizations about the immigration process and laws and their roles in that system. Legal staff will hold legal clinics and community consultations, meeting with clients both in person and by phone. JFAI will also provide training to Methodist Healthcare Ministries staff members and other organizations upon request.

“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we believe that health care is more than just caring for your medical needs, but also addressing the inequalities present in communities that prevent all of our neighbors from thriving,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “By ensuring our immigrant neighbors have access to quality legal information and legal services, we are helping them advance and thrive in the communities we serve.”

“We are so excited to expand into San Antonio and provide immigration legal services for the community in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries,” said Joy Green, Legal Director at Justice for All Immigrants. “Our staff attorney in San Antonio, Daniella Salas-Chacon, started working in May, and has been a tremendous asset to our team. She is eager to serve those in greatest need. We look forward to this continued partnership.”

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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.

MHM Commissions Unprecedented Study on Economic Mobility Strategies for San Antonio Communities

DW Admin on July 13, 2022

San Antonio, Texas (July 13, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced the commissioning of a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Health, Community and Policy to research two economic mobility interventions previously only evaluated as separate strategies: cash assistance and Economic Mobility Pathway’s (EMPath) Mobility Mentoring^®, an economic mobility coaching approach. The two-year study will involve two local nonprofit organizations, Family Service and Empower House. This is the first randomized control trial in the country that will look at how the two interventions, cash assistance and Mobility Mentoring, can work together to support individuals and families on their journey out of poverty.

“As part of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ new strategic plan and focus on health equity, we are committed to bringing about systemic change in the communities we serve and economic mobility is one of our focus areas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “The results of this study will inform the strategies and funding decisions we make around economic mobility as we seek to advance health equity strategies that allow all to thrive.”

This two-year study will be called the San Antonio GOALS Initiative – GOALS stands for Generating Opportunities for Achieving Lasting Success.

Empower House will host the cash assistance program that is a part of the study. The cash assistance program will provide monthly cash payments of $500 to participants via pre-paid debit cards. Participants will be able to use these funds in the ways that make the most sense to them for their own lives. Empower House SA will also meet with participants to assess the potential impact of cash assistance on their eligibility for other programs.

“At Empower House, our work centers the needs and priorities of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) community members and their families as we walk alongside them in support,” said Andrea Figueroa, Executive Director of Empower House. “We are honored to be a part of this economic mobility research project and look forward to successfully serving participants and making a lasting impact in their lives and in our greater community.

Family Service will both recruit 575 households to take part in the study and deliver the Mobility Mentoring^® program to the cohorts receiving the economic coaching intervention.

The Economic Mobility Study will utilize a Mobility Mentoring informed approach. Mobility Mentoring, developed by Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) in Boston, MA, is a research-backed coaching method for helping people in poverty climb the economic ladder. This robust model allows participants to set their own goals across five key areas of their lives including: health, family life, career, finances, and education. Participants partner with a mentor, who provides guidance and coaching along the way. The Mobility Mentoring informed coaching program will be hosted by Family Service. The EMPath team will provide consultation and guidance to Family Service throughout the study.

“Family Service is excited to be a partner with MHM along with EMPath, UTSA, and Empower House to assess ways to work with individuals and families in San Antonio who have barriers in their lives caused by social determinants of health factors that affect household income, education, employment, etc. and can cause adverse impacts on their health, family, and community,” said Mary Garr, President & CEO of Family Service. “As a deep-rooted organization within San Antonio for almost 120 years, we see firsthand the impacts of intergenerational poverty and the challenges in trying to break the cycle. This model offers a broad approach to understanding the multifaceted challenges that exist for many individuals and families and help them find ways to overcome them sustainably.”

“EMPath is thrilled to partner with Methodist Health Ministries in this first-of-its-kind study that is truly dedicated to learning how to best support families living in poverty as they navigate their journey towards economic independence,” said Kim Janey, president & CEO of Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath). “The study has the potential to not only inform how we work with families in the future, but also influence the human services field more broadly.”

A team from UTSA’s College of Health, Community & Policy will be serving as independent third-party evaluators for the study. The research study is being conducted as a randomized control trial over 24 months. This means that participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for two years. The four groups are: 1) people selected to participate in a monthly cash assistance program; 2) people selected to participate in Mobility Mentoring, 3) people selected to participate in both Mobility Mentoring and a monthly cash assistance program; 4) people participating in a control group. The research team will administer these surveys to all participants 5 times over the course of the study and will also conduct individualized interviews with participants.

Lynne Cossman, Ph.D., Dean of UTSA’s College for Health, Community and Policy added, “HCAP is proud to be involved in this groundbreaking randomized control trial assessing the viability of cash assistance and mentoring. It is beyond atypical for social scientists to be able to work within an RCT framework. Providing the independent third-party evaluation of this program dovetails perfectly with our mission to improve the health and well-being of San Antonians, South Texans and beyond.”

The economic mobility study is open to residents of Bexar County who are between the ages of 18 – 60, have a household income less than or equal to 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and live in one of following targeted Bexar County zip codes:

78201, 78228, 78237, 78207, 78204, 78225, 78214, 78221, 78224, 78226, 78211, 78222, or 78217.

Family Service is currently conducting recruitment and outreach for the San Antonio GOALS Program. Interested individuals may contact Family Service at (210) 431-7550 or visit www.family-service.org/goals.

“We at MHM believe that caring for health means caring for the needs of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit, and, we know that financial stability is a critical determinant in one’s ability to enjoy whole health—from one’s ability to afford health insurance, access preventive care, purchase medications or receive treatment for chronic disease,” said Lavonne Garrison, Chair of the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “This project is a great example of how we are broadening the definition of health care to include championing healthier

neighborhoods, supportive relationships, broadband access, food security, and financial stability to strengthen families and communities.”

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About UTSA’s College for Health, Community and Policy: UTSA’s College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) is dedicated to developing solutions to effect change for complex social issues to improve the well-being of communities and the world. The college is comprised of eight academic departments and one program —criminology and criminal justice, demography, nutrition and dietetics, kinesiology, psychology, public administration, public health, social work and sociology —as well as the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, the Policy Studies Center, the Institute for Health Disparities Research, and the Center for Community Based and Applied Health Research. HCaP includes more than 175 faculty and more than 6,800 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Visit the College for Health, Community and Policy website to learn more.

About Empower House SA: Empower House SA (formerly The Martinez Street Women’s Center) has a 22-year history of providing transformative community health services, youth development programs, and advocacy opportunities that empower women and girls of color. We envision a world where all women and girls are empowered to transform themselves, their families, and their communities. Our values of solidarity, creativity, empathy, and collaboration guide our major programmatic decisions and daily interactions with community members and partners. We address historical and systematic inequities by advocating with and for San Antonio’s BIPOC, low-income residents, that have been systematically disadvantaged, though historically resilient. For more information, visit Empowerhousesa.org

About Family Service: “Empowering individuals and families to transform their lives and strengthen our communities” Family Service has been building strong families since 1903. As the oldest human service nonprofit in San Antonio, Family Service addresses the social determinants of health, those barriers and opportunities created by where people live, learn, work, play, and age. Helping individuals and families from birth to older adults, Family Service is dedicated to helping those in need in San Antonio and over 14 rural counties of Texas. Visit www.family-service.org to learn more about the organization and the 119 years of service to local and area families.

About Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath): EMPath is a nearly 200-year-old organization that dramatically improves the lives of people living in poverty. Because creating economic opportunity is multifaceted, EMPath’s approach is too. EMPath offers a unique combination of direct services; a learning network of human services organizations; and research and advocacy for what works. This “virtuous circle” allows each part of the organization’s work to inform what it knows, does, and shares with others to seed systemic change. To learn more, visit empathways.org.

Lessons Learned from Value-Based Grant Program

DW Admin on July 7, 2022

Since 1996, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested more than $412 million in grants within our 74-county service-area. We believe that everyone deserves a fair opportunity to make the choices that lead to good health. Traditionally, our Community Investments department has made it a priority to promote access to clinical care in underserved communities, but we also recognize that root causes of poor health outcomes must be addressed if we are to achieve health equity and intervene effectively to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

With a national movement towards value-based payment models by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other payors, in 2016 Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Community Investments department developed a new grant program aligned with value-based concepts. These concepts included emphasizing quality of care rather than quantity of care and incentivizing health improvement through a flexible funding model.

This program, initially called Integrated Health Improvement, focused on improving specific health outcomes for a qualified panel of patients. A funding amount was allotted per patient on the panel, consisting of a base amount and incentive amounts. If the panel of patients reached the health outcome goal(s) by the end of the year, the funded partner received the incentive payment(s) for the goal(s) that was met. To the department’s knowledge, this program was one of the first, if not the first, value-based program from a regional nonprofit funder in South Texas, and it inspired another funder in our service area to support a similar program.

From 2017 to 2021, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ value-based grant program served complex care patients in South Texas. During this time period, 15 of our Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) funded partners participated in this program.

Since the first grant year in 2017, the value-based program went through many adjustments, which were informed by funded partner feedback and outcome performance. One of the most notable changes to the program was the addition of prevention components after hearing from grantees that preventive measures were key to improving the health of the patient populations they served. The program was aptly renamed “Integrated Health Improvement & Prevention”.

Throughout the years, key program components remained similar—including patient eligibility, which specified that panel patients needed to be over 18 years of age, uninsured or underinsured, low-income, and patients must have at least two of the required comorbidities. Comorbidities included depression, pre-diabetes or diabetes, hypertension, and overweight or obesity. Health outcome goals also remained similar and reflected the specified comorbidities.

As we reflect on the program, we think there were many successes. Flexible funding allowed our partners to use their grant dollars in ways best suited to achieve program success. Some partners used this program to try new things for their health centers, like case management, patient dashboards, and program contracts/agreements with patients. During the program, partners increased their quality of care, including improving documentation, establishing and improving workflows, and strengthening follow-up with patients. These changes also helped grantees better prepare for reports and reviews from other funders. Their efforts helped to establish a consistent source of health care for patients, and patients exhibited improvement in their health. As we spent additional time with partners at their centers and communicated with them through email and phone to provide technical assistance and for audits, our relationships with partners strengthened.

There were also challenges with the program. Grantees, especially in rural areas, often have staff that wear multiple hats, making this complex program difficult to implement and manage. The program required ample staff time and training to develop and implement many processes, including finding or recruiting patients that met panel criteria, documenting their clinical data and financial information, and reporting back on patient level data four times a year. As partners built new processes, some encountered challenges with their electronic health record or billing systems. Once set-up and staff training were completed, another challenge that arose was patient attrition due to reasons such as patients moving, changing providers, or changing phone numbers. This made it difficult to fill the patient panel and keep patients engaged in care to help meet the challenging program metrics.

To help our partners with their challenges, we provided one-on-one technical assistance, held workshops, and sought their continuous feedback and suggestions through surveys and multiple check-ins. We modified and simplified the program design where we could. Modifications included explaining program elements more thoroughly and adjusting the program metrics to be more achievable. We simplified the reporting as the years went on, aiming to ask for only what was needed to determine panel eligibility, panel size, and metric attainment. We also connected partners with each other, to share ideas on electronic health record templates, program set-up, and eligibility documentation. If the challenges were too extensive for the partner—such as consistently not meeting their panel size or not meeting most goals—we transitioned them to another grant structure.

Many lessons were learned throughout the program, and in 2021 the program came to an end at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, as our organization changed its strategy around grant-making to be focused on achieving health equity and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty by addressing root causes and the Social Determinants of Health.

Our funded partner, Gateway Community Health Center, designed their value-based program, “Lado A Lado” or “Side by Side”, for their clinic locations in and around Laredo, Texas, and had great success with the value-based program. Gateway shared their experience with the program, and how it impacted their clinics and the lives of their patients in the video below.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $1.2 Million Grant to Doyle Community Center

DW Admin on June 17, 2022

San Antonio, TX (June 17, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is providing the Doyle Community Center in Kerrville, TX with a three-year, $1.2 million dollar grant to support the operational capacity of the nonprofit organization and continue neighborhood revitalization efforts that originated from their recent work with the BUILD Health Challenge grant. This investment will ensure the Doyle Community Center has the necessary leadership, skilled staff and strategic plan in place to create the much-needed structure, systems, programs, and processes to ensure organizational sustainability.

With the funding, the Doyle Community Center will be able to create its own vision, redefine its mission, and forge its own path following the conclusion of funding from the BUILD Health Challenge. Over the next three years, Doyle Community Center will hire staff, create a strategic plan, and fundraising plan that will allow the Doyle Community Center to become sustainable and provide strategic programs and services to the community.

“It has been inspiring to see the Doyle Community Center become revitalized and energized over the past few years as part of the Hope for Health Collaborative and we see incredible potential for continued growth,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “The BUILD Health Challenge gave the community the kickstart it needed to organize itself and bring together the necessary stakeholders so that they can take ownership and pride in their efforts. We are thankful for the opportunity to continue to support them and their efforts.”

The Doyle Community Center is part of the Hope for Health Collaborative that received funding from the Build Health Challenge in 2019. The Hope for Health Collaborative was formed by New Hope Counseling Center, Peterson Health, the Texas Department of State Health Services-Region 8, Barnett Chapel and Glory Community Garden, Light on the Hill at Mt. Wesley, the City of Kerrville and the Doyle Community Center in a joint application for the BUILD Health Challenge. These organizations, as well as many others, committed to work together to address the revitalization of the Doyle neighborhood of Kerrville, with a focus on social connection, navigation and resident participation to address their individual and community resources and healthcare needs.

Launched in 2015, the BUILD Health Challenge addresses the intersectional factors that impact health and well-being at the community level. BUILD recognizes that direct medical care, while critical, is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to lifting up the standards of living for people in the U.S. and works across sectors with local community organizations to affect positive, sustainable improvements to community health.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Doyle Community Center’s continued growth and success story as we identify and provide strategic and valuable services for the residents of the Doyle Historical District,” said B. K. Gamble, Executive Director of the Doyle Community Center. “The funding provided by Methodist Healthcare Ministries has made it possible to hire quality staff to support our vision, mission, and strategic programs. We very much appreciate the investment MHM has made in our efforts to enrich the lives of our constituents.”

The Doyle Community Center received its 501(c) (3) nonprofit designation on September 29, 2003. The community center’s purpose is to provide education and social activities along with access to health, food, and social services to the residents of the Doyle community. Though Doyle has been incorporated for some time, it operated at a grassroots level providing various programs and serving as a gathering place for the community. The board of directors has served as a working board and has actively participated in day-to-day activities.

The $1.2 million investment is part of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ $129.9 million community investment for 2022 to advance health equity and support communities across South Texas through direct services provided through clinical and regional operations, as well as the development of community partnerships and advocacy.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission also includes its one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System—the largest healthcare system in South Texas. This creates a unique avenue to ensure the Methodist Healthcare System continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all, and revenue to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for its programs and services.

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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.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries invests nearly $130 million to advance health equity across South Texas

DW Admin on June 7, 2022

San Antonio, TX (June 7, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is investing $129.9 million this year to advance health equity and support communities across South Texas through direct services, the development of community partnerships and advocacy. The funding for 2022 represents an increase of 14.2% from 2021. The nonprofit is deepening its work creating access to care for the uninsured in its 74-county service area.

The $129.9 million represents the organization’s strategic focus on advancing health equity, the framework of thought and action guiding its efforts to address systemic inequities and socio-economic barriers that keep people from living their healthiest lives. The 2022 investment includes funding for direct patient-care services, strategic operations and advocacy work being done across 74 counties, as well as $30.6 million in community grants to over 90 funded partners to extend their mission to nurture resilient families across the state.

“For over 25 years, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been blessed to have the resources we need to make this type of impactful investment in the communities we serve, as we endeavor to fulfill our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “With the support of an incredible team, an engaged board of directors and our commitment to advancing health equity, we believe this investment will help support resilient families and build thriving communities across our service area.”

As a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization, Methodist Healthcare Ministries puts the earnings it receives as 50-50 co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System to fund community-led efforts and promote public policy changes that advance a level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come.

Grants:

In 2022, Methodist Healthcare Ministries awarded $30.6 million in community investment funding to over 90 nonprofit agencies across its 74-county service area. Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ grants are rooted in partnerships that support access to care, integrated delivery systems and patient-centered models. In partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), safety-net clinics, counseling services and regional community projects, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ goal is to create measurable impact at the community and regional levels to further establish health care networks.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries aims to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting organizations that address the community conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work, otherwise known as the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Methodist Healthcare Ministries is interested in learning how organizations are addressing SDoH in general and places a special focus on several key intersecting issues: economic mobility, digital inclusion and broadband infrastructure, and food security.

Grants address one of the following giving areas: Access to Health Care; Mental & Behavioral Health; Programs to adopt Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) screening tools; Food Security/Systems; Digital Inclusion; and Cross-sector Collaborations to Strengthen Health Equity.

An example of a long-time partner that Methodist Healthcare Ministries has supported is Family Service, which Methodist Healthcare Ministries has awarded $7.8 million since 2007. Family Service operates a number of programs that help address SDoHs, including a Rural Child Abuse Prevention Program, Early Childhood Wellbeing Program and a Financial Empowerment Program.

In 2022, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is providing more than $850,000 in funding for various programs. The Por Las Familias Rurales (For the Rural Families) program will address suffering among a vulnerable population (children at risk of child abuse and neglect) and improve mental health outcomes by working with families in rural areas to build parenting and coping skills. The Early Childhood Wellbeing Program will provide mental health services to children that includes looking at the linkages to care for SDoH. And the Edgewood Connected Beyond Classroom Initiative, in which Family Service will be working with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Texas A&M San Antonio, and Edgewood I.S.D. to co-create the Digital Inclusion Scholars Program (DISP) and institutionalize it as an Edgewood Independent School District student program – an initiative that will help close the digital divide, yet another SDoH. Most recently, Family Service received funding to provide support for the families impacted by the tragic school shooting in Uvalde last month.

“Family Service helps individuals and families overcome the multi-faceted challenges in their lives that affect their long-term health, quality of life, and life potential,” said Mary Garr, President & CEO of Family Service. “Too often, these challenges are deep-rooted, intergenerational, and tied to systemic barriers and lack of access to resources. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries as we are aligned in eliminating or reducing barriers caused by what are known as social determinants of health which, thus, improve the lives and health of individuals and families, and help to strengthen and create vibrant, healthy communities.”

Overall, funding is allocated to over 110 grant programs to deepen collaborative efforts, incentivize quality health outcomes, leverage and strengthen health care delivery systems and promote sustainable systems change. Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors oversees the selection of funded partners and requests are considered on an annual basis.

Strategic Operating Initiatives Add-on:

In addition to the annual grants to partners, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has allocated nearly $14 million toward strategic initiatives that amplify our overall strategic goals and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is investing in approaches that address the root causes of poverty and health inequities, such as cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, policy/legislative action eliminating barriers and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families and communities. Examples of the types of initiatives Methodist Healthcare Ministries is investing in include: economic mobility, access to clean water, more community-led collaboration initiatives and broadband expansion efforts to close the digital divide.

Direct Services

Creating access to care through the provision of clinical services has always been key to the organization’s mission. Methodist Healthcare Ministries operates two San Antonio-based primary health care clinics: Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and two school-based health centers: George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary. The clinics address the needs of low-income families and the uninsured by providing services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale. The health care services Methodist Healthcare Ministries provides are a cornerstone of its charitable purpose of creating access to care.

Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.4 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces the Addition of Five New Board Members to its Board of Directors

DW Admin on May 31, 2022

San Antonio (May 31, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced the addition of five new members to its board of directors. New board members will begin their three-year term in June, guiding the nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving the well-being of the least served since 1995.

“Serving on this board has been and continues to be one of the most incredible blessings and opportunities of my life,” said Dr. Michael Lane, current Chair of the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are excited to welcome these outstanding and gifted individuals to our board. They are joining at a critical time and their insights will be instrumental to implementing our strategy which is focused on advancing health equity.”

The five new board members include:

Michael Bacon, CFRE, a senior-level development and external relations executive for Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.
Erika Prosper Nirenberg, the senior Director of Customer Insights at H-E-B
Jacqueline Pugh, MD, Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at South Texas Veterans Health Care System and a faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Medical School
Erica T. Sosa, PhD., an Associate Professor in Public Health and the Associate Dean for Research in UTSA’s College for Health Community and Policy
Pendleton B. Wickersham, MD, a physician and partner in the San Antonio-based Arthritis Associates

Dr. Wickersham is returning to serve on the board of Methodist Healthcare Ministries after previously serving from 2012 to 2021. The other four members are new to the board, but have longstanding relationships with the organization and the scope of work it does across South Texas.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Board plays an important role in setting the direction and goals for the organization to advance a more level playing field for health in 74 counties across Texas. Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.4 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. As 50-50 co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, MHM board members play an important oversight role in the governance of the healthcare system ensuring it provides quality care to all regardless of ability to pay. The earnings from the co-ownership of the health system allows Methodist Healthcare Ministries to fund efforts that strengthen communities and families, provide clinical care to the uninsured and the economically disadvantaged, and promotes a more level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come.

Board members serve three-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms. In addition to serving on the general board, they also serve on one standing committee, such as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Mission Committee and Operations Committee. The board currently has 25 members and can have no more than 27 board members at a given time. The board bylaws also dictate that at least 60 percent of the Regular Directors be members of The United Methodist Church.

“As we continue our efforts to advance health equity throughout the communities we serve, we will be better informed and inspired by the leadership these new board members bring to our organization,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Their unique talents and the breadth of their expertise will be critical for us in the coming years as we strive to improve the lives of the least served so all have an opportunity to thrive.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces $250,000 Funding for Towne Twin Village

DW Admin on May 6, 2022

San Antonio (May 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced that it is providing the Housing First Community Coalition (HFCC) $250,000 in funding to support the Towne Twin Village project on San Antonio’s east side. Once completed, Towne Twin Village will be the first single-site Permanent Supportive Housing provider in the San Antonio community for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“The Housing First Community Coalition is doing an incredible job bringing individuals and organizations together to address homelessness in our community and Methodist Healthcare Ministries stands ready to join the movement,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “This funding embodies our commitment to health equity by supporting initiatives that help to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life.”

In June of 2019, HFCC targeted a 17.3-acre vacant parcel of land at 4711 Dietrich Rd. Within 5 months, HFCC raised $1.2 million to acquire and rezone the property. Since then, HFCC has worked diligently to raise funds for Phase 1 development of the project, totaling over $12.3 million from government and philanthropic support. Towne Twin Village will be the first single-site Permanent Supportive Housing provider in the San Antonio community for homeless individuals. The Village will provide 205 units of safe and comfortable affordable housing combined with intensive support services tailored to the specific needs and desires of each resident.

“The homelessness situation is a can we have been kicking down the road for far too long,” said Mark Wittig, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Health First Community Coalition. “With this gift from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are creating a model that can serve the homeless with dignity and make a statement that something good can be done.”

Housing is an important determinant of health. Research has shown that housing stability, quality, and affordability influence health outcomes just as much as the physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods and communities.

“We know that health is more than what happens in a clinic,” added Wesolowski. “It’s determined by where people work, play, pray, and age—all of which is heavily influenced by where people live. This project is a critical piece to ensuring we expand the ways we impact healthcare to include supporting the social determinants of health and the vital community conditions that so often determine long-term well-being.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University School of Public Health partner together to improve water quality in the Rio Grande Valley

DW Admin on April 6, 2022

McAllen, Texas (April 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced a new partnership with Texas A&M University School of Public Health to conduct a two-year study of arsenic and other toxic contaminants that occur in residential drinking water within border colonia communities in the Rio Grande Valley. The event highlighted the importance of a new partnership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University as they work together to address and potentially reduce health disparities, as exposure to toxic contaminants disproportionately affects underserved and low-resourced populations in Texas border communities that depend on unsafe drinking water sources.

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.

“According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, in just six Texas counties along the Texas-Mexico border, 38,000 colonia residents do not have access to clean drinking water,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Clean and safe water is an essential component to good health. We are proud that through this partnership with Texas A&M, we will be helping these vital communities safeguard their water and health, ensuring they all have an opportunity to thrive.”

“Through this partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are helping Texas take a big step forward ensuring everyone in South Texas has access to a fundamental need for good health: clean and reliable drinking water,” said Greg Hartman, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Texas A&M University.

The Arsenic Surveillance in Border Communities’ Drinking Water project is a study conducting arsenic surveillance in border communities’ drinking water. The main themes are how to increase public awareness of arsenic exposure in local communities; how to identify individuals at risk for arsenic-induced cancers; and providing a prevention intervention to reduce arsenic exposure in border communities. The primary objectives include 1) evaluating the burden of arsenic exposure in drinking water, 2) evaluating the nutritional status and biomarkers to predict health impacts of chronic arsenic exposure; and 3) assessing the impact of an intervention to reduce arsenic exposure in households using tabletop pitchers. The communities being studied will include households within four colonias and the findings will be compared to those from non-colonia areas, with priority focus being based in Hidalgo County.

“Arsenic exposure from contaminated drinking water increases the risks of diverse cancers and non-cancer diseases,” said Taehyun Roh, PhD, assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Public Health. “Underserved and low-resourced populations relying on unsafe drinking water sources in Texas border communities are disproportionately affected by this. We expect our study will contribute to reducing health disparities in these communities.”

The second Citizen Science focused project will examine the role of community characteristics, knowledge and a locally engaged and trained resident population on water security and common resilience in Texas border communities. The primary objectives are to 1) develop/test adapted Citizen Science training materials, 2) create a field team to conduct the work in the community, 3) conduct focus group meetings to identify community-based water policy steps; and 4) pilot dissemination of citizen science activities to a second border community to help inform future projects. The primary community being studied is the San Carlos area colonias in Hidalgo County due to strong existing relationships that are vital to developing the project’s proof of concept. A second border community will be selected in consultation with Methodist Healthcare Ministries and other key stakeholders to pilot test information dissemination to other border communities.

“This project seeks to instill a love of science and learning with high school students and community members and provide an in-depth assessment of local needs centered on water quality and public health matters,” said Garett Sansom, DrPH, research assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. “We are thrilled to be co-learning with our partners to seek long-term solutions to these complex issues.”

Once the projects are completed in 2024, the findings will be used to create and advocate for public policy solutions aimed at improving the quality of water in some of the most underdeveloped areas in South Texas. 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.

The projects are great examples of how important the long-standing relationship between Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University has been as they continue to work together to address and reduce health disparities. These initiatives seek to create a foundation for safer, stronger communities that have the resources they need to thrive. The two organizations have previously collaborated on several different programs including a Colonia Program Training Academy, a Community Health Worker Resiliency Program and Diabetes Prevention Program.

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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.

2022 Fiesta Medal Announced

DW Admin on March 29, 2022

If you live in San Antonio, then you know Fiesta is right around the corner – it kicks off March 31 through April 10. This means, it’s time to unveil another beautiful Methodist Healthcare Ministries Fiesta medal.

Our 2022 Fiesta medal design highlights our commitment to supporting resilient families and thriving communities by advancing health equity across South Texas. As you turn the dial on your Fiesta medal, you’ll see through a heart-shaped window which beautifully illustrates our passion for serving our communities. Inside the heart-shaped window, you’ll see different icons symbolizing our services and programs, including:

The Stethoscope: Providing high-quality clinical care services for patients
The Community: Contributing to overall health and well-being of communities through long-term collaboration
The Church: Building relationships with churches and faith communities of all denominations to advance health and well-being
The Handshake: Partnering with others to lead efforts to improve community health and well-being
The Plant: Strengthening underserved communities through strategic grant-making
The Family: Supporting resilient individuals and families

Giveaway Alert

As a special treat, we are giving one of medals away to a lucky follower through a social media giveaway!

The rules to enter are:

Like our posts on Facebook and Instagram
Follow @MHMSTX on Facebook and Instagram
Tag a fiesta-loving friend (each tag is one entry)

The giveaway will end on Friday, April 1 at 11:59 PM. We will announce the winner on Monday, April 4 via the comments section on the post on Facebook and Instagram!

We’re excited to celebrate Fiesta 2022! Stay safe, everyone!

¡Viva Fiesta!

Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church announce new appointment of Director position

DW Admin on March 15, 2022

March 15, 2022 (San Antonio, TX): Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas , Inc. and the Rio Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church announces the appointment of Rev. Dr. Aaron A. Gonzalez to the role of director of church connections and spiritual care at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The appointment comes after the current director Rev. Mickey McCandless—who served in the position for over a decade—announced his plans to retire later this June.

“We celebrate Rev. McCandless for the faithful service he has provided to both the Rio Texas Conference and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. His leadership within both institutions has been instrumental,” said Bishop Robert Schnase. “Rev. McCandless has paved a solid foundation for Rev. Gonzalez to embark upon as he steps into this new role. We look forward to continuing the good works Mickey was so pivotal in shaping with the Rio Texas Conference with Aaron.”

Rev. Gonzalez currently serves as Pastor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. He joined the organization in 2015 under Rev. McCandless’ leadership. In his current role, Rev. Gonzalez provides pastoral care and counseling for all team members and to patients and clients served at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ primary care clinics. As Director, Rev. Gonzalez will serve as a member of the organization’s executive team and primary liaison to Rio Texas Conference. Prior to joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Rev. Gonzalez served as Pastor at Resurrection United Methodist Church and Shepherd’s Gate Community Church in San Antonio.

“We at MHM have been incredibly blessed to have had Rev. McCandless’ counsel and fellowship for the last ten years,” stated Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ CEO Jaime Wesolowski. “The work he has done to strengthen our organizational culture and the connections we have to the faith community across all denominations in South Texas has been invaluable, and we feel incredibly fortunate that Rev. Gonzalez will step into this role and continue building up our ministries in all the communities we serve.”

According to Wesolowski, the director of church connections & spiritual care position is distinct within the organization as it is appointed by the Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference.

“The collaboration with the Bishop is exceptional and underscores the importance of our connection to the church,” stated Wesolowski.

For 27 years Methodist Healthcare Ministries has created access to care for the underserved in South Texas through direct services, public policy analysis and research, strategic grantmaking and community partnerships. Its history goes back much further to 1955 when the former Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church established a charter creating the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital—that hospital would eventually become Methodist Hospital. Later in 1995 the Methodist Hospital’s Board of Trustees formed a 50-50 partnership between HCA Healthcare which created the Methodist Healthcare System. The hospital’s board of trustees also transformed into the Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors which continues to operate under the first charter issued by the former Southwest Texas Conference [now known as the Rio Texas Conference], as amended.

Bishop Schnase underscored the importance of the relationship. “The ministries which have been made possible for the least served in communities across South Texas through the pastors and churches within the Rio Texas Conference that work alongside Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a tribute to the promise John Wesley asked us as faithful followers of Christ to make. Truly through our shared history and connection, we are doing all the good we can in all the ways we can. I know Rev. Gonzalez has a servant leader’s heart and through his leadership within the Conference—and certainly in his new role at Methodist Healthcare Ministries—will be marked by grace and love for Christ at the center of his work.”

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