March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."
As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."
Myth:
Social workers only enable families to continue to use the "system."
Fact:
Social workers believe that is is important to EMPOWER and educate patients and families to feel confident. To best support the patients and families, we believe that it is important to first recognize their needs, strengths, and abilities.
Myth:
Once a social worker has the degree, no ongoing education is required.
Fact:
Social workers complete at least 30 hours of continuing education units every two years, including six hours of ethics. Also, they continue to leanr abou the new and changing programs available to their clients.
Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.
The Bulldogs for Better Breathing team, organized by the MHM School Based Health Center (SBHC), participated in the 2012 Fight for Air Run/Walk that took place on Saturday, February 11 at SeaWorld San Antonio. Hosted by the American Lung Association, this event is designed to raise money for lung research and education.
MHM sponsors the annual walk as a way to support the American Lung Association in their efforts to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. As an added convenience to participants, the SBHC provided a bus to transport families to the SeaWorld event. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, the team recruited sixty-four participants. Backpacks with asthma information were provided to the walkers along with games, snacks and water. The Bulldogs for Better Breathing team completed the 5k walk and visited health fair booths setup along the way.
The SBHC team was able to raise $1,175.78 from the Penny Drive held at the two primary campuses in Marion. With the pennies collected, they sponsored the Avila family. Without this sponsorship, this family of eight, would not have be able to participate in the Walk or benefit from all the park has to offer. This marks the family’s first visit to the theme park together.
For the ride home, bus goers enjoyed boxed lunches with juice as they wound down from the excitement of the day. Overall, the Bulldogs for Better Breathing raised a total of $1,505.78 for the cause.
March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."
As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."
Myth:
Social workers only listen to peoople talk about their feelings; their "work" is not tangible or quantitative.
Fact:
Approximately 60% of mental health professional providing services are clinical social workers. At least two years after completing their master's degree, a social worker may obtain 100 hours of intense supervision and pass another licensure exam in order to become a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). LCSW is the highest level of education that a social work can receive, other than a doctorate degree in social work which is used for teaching at the college/master's level.
Fact:
Social workers address peoples feelings and so much more! Social workers provide practical and compassionate guidance to individuals, families, and communities confronting and resolving a variety of dilemmas. Social workers can also work as administrators, policymakers and researchers.
Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.
SAN ANTONIO, March 19 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries has budgeted $72 million during 2012 for services and grants to individuals and non-profit organizations to assist hundreds of thousands of the most underserved South Texas residents.
In a down economy that finds more need than ever before, many nonprofit organizations are reducing their giving to a now much-needier community. Yet, over the last three years MHM actually increased its spending by more than 230%.
“This year sets a new milestone for MHM. Our investment in the programs and services that we own and operate, as well as support through not-for-profit agencies who share in our mission to ensure the least served have access to care in their communities, is at an all-time high,” says MHM President and CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty. “The tenets of our faith have led us to this point, and will sustain us through what will surely be a challenging time for those we serve as communities across Texas begin to feel the impact of the Texas legislature’s decision to slash funding for safety net services.”
More than $35 million of the total budgeted will go to MHM-owned/operated programs and clinics like the Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™, nutrition and health education services, family wellness and parenting programs. An additional $24.2 million in grants will go to dental and oral health programs, obesity and diabetes prevention, mental and behavioral health services, public health policy and research and more. MHM’s general and administrative costs total $6.8 million, however it represents just 9 percent of their total annual budget—a nominal figure when compared with other organizations in comparable size and scope of services offered. The final $5.5 million will renovate the Wesley Campus, enhancing and increasing capacity at the location where MHM hosts a multitude of free classes, camps and seminars year round.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this level of giving is that it has not only sustained and grown every year of the organization’s 17-year existence, but it is all achieved without a single call out for fundraising. MHM owns a 50% share of the Methodist Healthcare System.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries has a long history of serving some of the neediest members of the San Antonio and South Texas communities, giving nearly $500 million in its efforts to create access to care for the least served—and more great things are yet to come.
About Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Southwest Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. MHM also provides financial support to established organizations that are already effectively fulfilling the needs of the underserved in local communities through programs and services that they already operate. MHM is one-half owner of the Methodist Healthcare System—the largest healthcare system in South Texas.
Since inception, MHM has provided nearly $500 million in healthcare services through our clinics and programs, as well as through our partnerships. MHM is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission and organizational objective of delivering healthcare and social services to the least served in the South Texas region. By strengthening other organizations' capacity to provide services, we achieve our overarching goal of increasing access to care.
SACDC provides a wide range of dental services utilizing a corps of volunteer dental professionals. Through this, they offer Haven for Hope residents and the surrounding community dental exams, cleanings, restorative dentistry, extractions, surgery and prosthodontics. Oral health education is provided to further empower patients and support improved oral health.
In late 2010, SACDC requested that the Dental School rotate dental students to its facility to provide primary dental care to patients as a means to supplement the care provided by the private sector volunteer corps of dentists who contribute their services. These rotations also help to enhance students’ clinical knowledge and skills in delivering primary dental care to the homeless population and underserved. In 2011, MHM funded the conversion of the existing dental radiology system to a digital system at SACDC to facilitate UTHSCSA-DS dental student training rotations, also reducing x-ray exposure to patients by 90%.
As a likely ally in health care, the UTHSCSA-DS became a MHM funded partner in 2002. Founded in 1970, the Dental School is a place where students, faculty and staff come together to share knowledge and skills. The mission of the Dental School is the acquisition, dissemination and use of knowledge toward the enhancement of oral health. This mission is addressed through six interrelated action components: education; research; patient care; community service; faculty and staff; and infrastructure.
In 2011, the Dental School added the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program allowing for dental care at SACDC in the form of extractions, root canals and other more complicated procedures to patients of the clinic.
Along with direct services provided to patients in need – who, most likely, without these types of programs and clinics may not have received care – this partnership has also instilled a sense of civic responsibility in the caregivers of such services. This is evident through a testimonial offered by a Dental School student after completion of work at SACDC:
"I got to know a patient yesterday, and we became very close after just a cleaning! She was one of the most grateful patients I have ever been blessed to work on. She made me feel like I made a difference and it was one of those moments where I love what I do (dentistry). I came to understand her plans for the future, and about her life on campus. As we hugged goodbye, I was wishing that I would somehow see her again, and I hope that I will. For some reason, I know I will never forget her face…just when we were getting used to the swing of things and appreciating this clinic, it is time to leave. I’m grateful to have this experience…"
MHM continues to fund this partnership for SACDC to continue to provide dental care for those who have little to no resources as well as for Direct Dental Services and Training of UTHSCSA-DS students at SACDC. It is estimated that dental students/residents will provide 2,000 dental visits of SACDC's anticipated 38,000 dental visits in 2012.
Both agencies are committed to addressing MHM’s goal of access to dental care for the underserved with the added impact of training a troop of dental students to sustain the effort.
March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."
As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."
Myth:
Most social workers work for Child Protective Services (CPS) and their job is to remove children from their homes and to break up families.
Fact:
Approxiamately 20% of the social workers in the U.S. practice in hospitals and about 12% practice in medial clinics; this includes about 111,000 social workers. There are currently over 70 social workers in the Methodist Healthcare System and MHM in San Antonio who hold at least a master's degree.
Myth:
Social workers complete Medicaid applications and hand out meal coupons.
Fact:
Health care social workers provide direct services to clients, impart information, make community referrals, screen and assess clients, assist in discharge planning, provide mental health services, and interven in crisis situations most often in their area of practice.
Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.
March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."
As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the first of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."
Myth:
Social work does not require a special degree or licensure. A social worker can be anyone who is compassionate and enjoys helping those who are experiencing difficulties or who are less fortunate.
Fact:
Although most social workers are compassionate and do enjoy helping those in need, a degree, a license, and supervised fieldwork is required to call one’s self a social worker. The minimum requirement for a social worker is a bachelor’s degree, but approximately 82% of practicing social workers have a master's or doctorate.
Fact:
LBSW stands for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker and LMSW stands for Licensed Master's Social Worker; every social worker at Methodist Healthcare Ministries holds at least a bachelor’s degree.
Fact:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 600,000 people have a degree in social work; this career path is growing twice as fast as any other occupation in the U.S.
Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.
submitted by Ann Scarth, RN Wesley Nurse, Mason, Texas
Grief is the emotional suffering that is felt after a loss of some kind and can be triggered for a variety of reasons: the death of a loved one, the onset of a serious medical condition or even an intense disappointment. People are so often unprepared for grief—even when an event is predicted. Like so many other small rural towns, Mason’s population has matured and in recent months, it seems we have suffered a rash of loss in our community. As a result, caregivers are left feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
On January 26, I formed a partnership with Patrick Loring, M.S., L.P.C., the bereavement coordinator for Odyssey Hospice located in Kerrville, Texas. Together, we developed a Lunch ‘n Learn program titled, “How You Debrief Grief.” The program was an instant success with over 20 people in attendance.
After the initial meeting, I asked participants to contact me if they were interested in forming a local grief support group in Mason. The response was immense. A flood a respondents contacted me with a resounding request, “we want our own grief support group.” In response, the first of the bimonthly group meeting was held on February 7, in a small, intimate room at the First United Methodist Church in Mason.
So far, a number of participants have joined the group – all dealing with some form of grief or trauma. Some have suffered a sudden, unexpected loss; others are caregivers looking for support. The group has even attracted survivors eager to offer guidance and affirmation to participants.
We have shared memories, tears, pictures of our loved ones and laughter—yes, laughter has crept in on occasion and it really lit up our room with much needed encouragement and release. Feelings have emerged and emotions have been explored. The sentiment is palpable when you hear one participant say to another, “Your spouse was such a dear person and a real pillar of our community.” Participants are beginning to learn that grief is actually a healing process that is normal and healthy.
The grief support group meets at noon on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the conference room at the First United Methodist Church of Mason (224 Broad Street Mason, Texas). Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch; beverages and dessert are provided.
For more information, please call Ann Scarth, RN at (325) 347-5983.
Since inception, MHM has provided more than $405 million in healthcare services through our clinics and programs, as well as through our partnerships. MHM is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission and organizational objective of delivering healthcare and social services to the least served in the South Texas region. By strengthening other organizations’ capacity to provide services, we achieve our overarching goal of increasing access to care.
MHM’s partnership with the Triple H Equitherapy Center is a prime example of this community healthcare model. Founded in 1995, the Triple H Equitherapy Center provides people with disabilities and wounded warriors nationally accredited equine assisted activities and therapy. Located in Pipe Creek, Texas, the center offers five unique equine therapy programs for children and adults with a range of disabilities and needs along with two specialized projects to include the “Horses for Heroes” and “Open the Gate” project.
“Open the Gate” serves children ages 6 to 17 from Kendall, Bandera, Kerr, Medina, and northern Bexar counties whose life experiences have triggered social or mental disorders that require judicial intervention or residential treatment. Contributing factors can include physical or emotional trauma, emotional or mental disorders, and poverty, among other life challenges.
Through the “Open the Gate” project participants experience recovery with optimism, autonomy, respect and dignity, partnership and personal growth. They are encouraged to expand their capabilities, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem. This enables them to go beyond their circumstances and “opens the gate” to opportunity as positive citizens of our society. Clinical outcomes of the program revealed successes on several levels. One such story of comes from A.J.*, a participant from Meadowlands–a long term residential treatment and care facility for children ages 6-17.
Upon entrance into the Open the Gate project, A.J. carried an air of overconfidence hinging on arrogance due to prior experience with horses. This caused him to express frustration during encounters with less-experienced participants; he began to take on a competitive, adversarial posture with his peers. A.J.’s participation in the program required attendance at reoccurring group sessions where he was approached positively and made aware of his negative, confrontational tendencies. With time and positive reinforcement, he worked hard to re-channel this energy and it enabled him to accommodate others by helping his peers pick out hooves, assisting with tacking up horses and encouraging others to tack and ride independently. Ultimately, A.J. developed into a positive peer-mentor for the group, carrying with him the skills necessary to practice patience, understanding and empathy.
The center has collaborated with Meadowlands, a Roy Maas Youth Alternatives residential facility, along with county juvenile justice programs and other community intervention programs for at-risk youth to reach program participants.
The Triple H Equitherapy Center has been an MHM Funded Partner since 2008. As of December 2011, MHM has contributed over $690,000 in funding to the center to assist with mental and behavioral health services. The center looks to receive $190,000 in 2012 to continue programming.
“If we had known how much we needed each other, I’d have been in Johnson City a long time ago!”
Cindy Leonard, RN, has just been hired as a Wesley Nurse by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and will serve the county’s residents out of an office at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City.
“I’ve done just about everything there is to do in nursing in my 23 years,” Leonard explained, “from cardiology to intensive care, but I was at a point where I really wanted to get out in the community, helping people stay healthy and enjoy their lives. “So one night I prayed about it, and the next day Methodist Healthcare called and asked me to go to Blanco County.” Leonard didn’t know it, but the Johnson City church had been trying to get a Wesley Nurse for more than a year. “It really fell together as though…um…Somebody was planning it,” said Pastor Lee Romero. “We were renewing our request just as she was looking for us, and it all just sort of fell together.” Leonard won’t do clinical nursing — like giving shots and dispensing pills — nor home health care, but she will do blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, refer people to medical care they need, and do a whole lot of education. “Teaching people how to get and stay healthy, or to manage their conditions, is going to be a big chunk of my job,” Leonard explained, “so I’ll be talking to any group that needs a speaker, teaching classes for kids, leading exercise groups, visiting people at home and whatever else we think of.”
Wesley Nurses define their own jobs based on their community’s needs, so no two of the 70 nurses working in South-Central Texas may do exactly the same things.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries has so many programs, and I’m still learning what they all are, that we may have something already on the shelf to fill any need I may find.” Finding those needs is the first assignment Leonard has in her new job. From now until April, she’ll be meeting people and learning what’s missing in the county, and finding the right programs to fill some of the gaps. Leonard stresses that although she works for a Methodist organization and has an office in a Methodist church, she’s not a “Methodist nurse”. “My turf is the whole county,” Leonard explained. “I can and will go to any church, any club, any home…I don’t care if you’re from this church, another church or no church…I serve the whole community.” But that service doesn’t really start until April, as she finishes her survey. Before then, she says she’d like to hear from anyone with ideas about how she can help make Blanco County residents healthier.
If you have an idea, call Cindy Leonard directly at 830-385-5087, or reach her through the church office at 868-7414.
Congratulations to the Spirit of Excellence Award Winners of 2011. After receiving nominations by their peers because of their outstanding demonstration of MHM’s core values and the tenets of the 2011 Excellence theme, “I am Excellence. I Make a Difference, Everyday,” the Personnel Committee of the MHM Board of Directors selected these team members as recipients of the Spirit of Excellence of Award:
Integrity
David Ybarra Community Programs Family Wellness Programs Specialist Wesley Health & Wellness Center
Making a Difference
Joe Guzman Behavioral Health Services/Nutrition & Health Education Executive Chef Wesley Health & Wellness Center
Teamwork
Jessica Muñoz-Sherfey Administration Public Relations Manager
Compassion
Charlotte Johnson Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™ Wesley Nurse, Austin Team
Spirituality
Blanca Arguello Clinic Operations *Wesley Nurse Regional Manager *At the time of nominations Blanca was the Clinic RN Supervisor at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. She was promoted to her current position in July.
All winners will recieve a Jade Crystal desktop clock, a VISA gift card and a certificate for one-full days leave (8 hours) to be used at their choosing (and approved by their supervisor or manager).
MHM thanks these team members for their exemplary service!
Last Friday, the MHM Community Programs department shared in a lunch fellowship to celebrate the accomplishments of the year and the joy of the Christmas season. As part of the celebration, various team members shared their individual talents. One team member, Anna Garces, shared an original poem as a closing to their fellowship.
Have you ever asked yourself, "What difference have I made?"
Another year has passed in which we have done our job and been paid,
but what difference have we made?
Daily we strive for excellence in all that we do,
working hard at modeling our core values.
We have children with parents in prison or decreased,
children hurting or sick with some awful disease.
Our home visits are not always what we plan them to be,
when you get to a home and find no food or electricity.
We have all experienced the emotional roller coaster ride,
when we see a need for which we cannot provide.
Success stories are many, but there are always a few that
matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to get through.
We work so hard to meet the need and fail to celebrate for
just planting the seed.
Remember that successes are many more than we see,
when we treat others as what God sees they can be.
So let's celebrate all the things we take for granted,
and remember that God takes over once the seed has been planted.
Like the buses filled with laughter during our field trips,
seniors dancing, sewing and sharing tip or the tears in a parents eyes after receiving
a gift care, knowing that financially things for this family have been really
hard. And the smiles on children's faces as they arrive for summer camp with
their t-shirts and backpacks so proudly displaying the MHM stamp.
So have I made a difference at the end of the day if all I
can do for someone is to pray?
Remember that Jesus was God's Christmas gift, and God never
gives anything but the best for his kids! So let's continue to celebrate this
gift all year long and forget that is Christ we are strong.
Thank you, Anna, for sharing your story and planting the seed!
Jaime Wesolowski is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. A healthcare executive with three decades of leadership experience, Jaime is responsible for the overall governance and direction of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Jaime earned his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Xavier University, and his Bachelor’s of Science from Indiana University in Healthcare Administration. As a cancer survivor, Jaime is a staunch supporter of the American Cancer Society. He serves as Chair of the American Cancer Society’s South Texas Area board of directors and he was appointed as Chair to the recently created South Region Advisory Cabinet, covering eight states from Arizona through Alabama. Jaime believes his personal experience as a cancer survivor has given him more defined insight and compassion to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
