Description: In today’s increasingly complex nonprofit landscape, organizations are being asked to do more with limited resources while addressing growing community needs. Meaningful partnerships can help nonprofits expand their impact, strengthen services, and create new opportunities for funding and sustainability.
This interactive 90-minute webinar explores the foundations of successful nonprofit collaboration, from building trust and establishing mutually beneficial relationships to creating referral networks that better serve clients and communities. The session presents practical strategies for identifying potential partners, developing collaborative initiatives, and navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with working across organizational boundaries.
The session also examines how nonprofits can pursue funding opportunities together, including collaborative grant applications, shared programming, and collective impact approaches that appeal to funders seeking community-wide solutions. Finally, participants will explore long-term sustainability strategies, including resource sharing, strategic alliances, and innovative partnership models that can help organizations increase effectiveness while reducing duplication of services.
Key Points:
Identifying and cultivating strong nonprofit partnerships.
Developing effective referral relationships that enhance client outcomes.
Building trust and accountability within collaborative efforts.
Evaluating opportunities for joint grant applications and shared funding.
Creating sustainable partnership structures that maximize community impact.
Exploring collaborative models that support long-term organizational success.
Whether you are a nonprofit executive, program manager, board member, or community leader, this webinar will provide practical tools and insights to help your organization move beyond networking and toward meaningful collaboration that creates lasting impact.
San Antonio, Texas (July 23, 2026) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) has released The Blueprint to Longevity, a thought-provoking podcast conversation featuring MHM President and CEO Jaime Wesolowski and Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and founder of Blue Zones.
In the episode, Wesolowski and Buettner explore the origins of the Blue Zones framework and reflect on how a single conversation sparked a transformative partnership between MHM and communities along the Texas-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley. Their discussion highlights the power of collaboration, community insight, and a shared vision for improving health and well-being.
“My first conversation with Dan blossomed into a meaningful collaboration rooted in the strengths and assets of the communities Methodist Healthcare Ministries walks alongside,” said Wesolowski. “I am excited for audiences to learn more about the Blue Zones framework and how one bold idea led to a transformative partnership with the potential to impact nearly one million people living in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The episode was recorded in June at the Aspen Institute in Colorado during Aspen Ideas: Health (AIH), a global gathering of visionaries and thought leaders across various sectors, including health care, research, advocacy, and policy.
Since 2024, MHM has led panel and roundtable discussions at the conference. To learn more about MHM’s 2026 sessions, Transformative Allies: Re-engineering the Architecture of Partnership and Power and Longevity in Unexpected Places: The Road to Helping People Live to 100, click here.
To learn more about the full Assessment, Readiness, & Feasibility Report on the Rio Grande Valley, click here.
The podcast is available now on major streaming platforms.
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 Blue Zones
Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live better, longer. The company’s work is rooted in explorations and research done by founder and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in blue zones regions around the world, where people live extraordinarily long and/or happy lives. The original research and findings were released in Buettner’s bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, and Blue Zones Kitchen—all published by National Geographic books. A hit docuseries, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, was released on Netflix in 2023. Using original Blue Zones research, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to our human-made surroundings. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.bluezones.com.
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The most innovative ideas emerge through transformative partnerships, where listening, learning, and collaboration create meaningful impact that can be felt across generations ––this philosophy serves as a fundamental pillar for Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). Each summer, MHM joins visionary thinkers and leaders from across the fields of health care, research, advocacy, and policy for the Aspen Ideas: Health (AIH) conference.
The annual convening takes place each summer at the Aspen Institute in Colorado and draws over a thousand attendees from around the world each year. MHM is part of this global community and has been leading panel and roundtable discussions since 2024.
Courtesy: C2 Photography
In July a delegation made up of organizational leaders, partners, and team members attended the 2026 AIH conference.
During their time at AIH, delegation members attended various sessions and heard from other thought leaders who are exploring bold approaches to address some of the most pressing health issues communities are facing each day.
Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of MHM, was among the speakers at AIH. Joining him was Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow, and founder of Blue Zones. On stage, they discussed their transformative partnership along the Texas-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The initiative was born from a conversation that began at AIH in 2024, serving as a testament to how the exchange of ideas can spark meaningful collaboration and lasting change.
How Transformative Partnerships Take Root:
The three-day event kicked off with the AIH opening session. Attendees gathered to hear welcome remarks from Aspen Institute leaders and the “Big Ideas” from several AIH speakers. Some of the key topics included the role of artificial intelligence in health care, looking beyond the traditional views of women’s health, integrating mental health into overall health care, and strengthening medical education and patient connections. These ideas set the tone for discussions and innovation that would take place throughout the conference.
Prior to the MHM sessions, Wesolowski and Buettner sat down for a podcast conversation, where they reflected on their first meeting at AIH in 2024. That first conversation lasted over an hour as the two explored how MHM and Blue Zones align through their work and mission, eventually leading the two organizations to launch the Blue Zones IgniteTM assessment in the RGV.
Buettner also shared how Blue Zones grew out of his interest in longevity, a journey that led him to study five regions around the world where people consistently live longer, healthier lives—areas recognized as “Blue Zones.” Drawing from the insights gained through that research, Buettner and his team developed a framework that has since been implemented in communities across the country, helping people live better, longer lives by co-creating environments that support health and well-being.
Reflecting on his original findings, Buettner pointed to the importance of learning from people with lived experiences, “We have verifiable populations around the world that are living 12 to 15 years longer than Americans do in full health. Why not pay close attention to what these communities are doing to live longer?”
Courtesy: C2 Photography
The first MHM session was a lunch roundtable, “Transformative Allies: Re-engineering the Architecture of Partnership and Power.” Wesolowski led the discussion which brought together leaders from health care, philanthropy, community development, and other sectors to explore what makes a partnership transformational. Themes of trust, humility, shared learning, and a commitment to sharing power with communities emerged during the roundtable discussion.
Suzanne Watts Henderson, senior director of Faith & Health at Interfaith America, said, “We bring some assets, but we really need our partners and the assets they bring. We can’t get to the right solution without our partners.” Esther Pitts, president and CEO of Mat-Su Health Foundation, emphasized the importance of leaders learning from others: “Leaders must show up as learners with humility, because humility is strength.”
Ideas in Unexpected Places:
Courtesy: C2 Photography
The following day, attendees gathered to hear from Wesolowski and Buettner during the MHM panel session, titled “Longevity in Unexpected Places: The Road to Helping People Live to 100.” The panel was moderated by Jeremy Faust, MD, Editor-in-Chief of MedPage Today and emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The discussion explored the origins of the MHM-Blue Zones partnership and the importance of collaborating with residents, community leaders, and local partners.
Buettner discussed the Blue Zones framework and pointed to some of the lifestyle and environmental factors that support longevity, including a plant-based diet, moving naturally throughout the day, meaningful connections, and having a strong sense of purpose. When applying this framework across communities, he emphasized the importance of collaboration with local governments, businesses, faith communities, local institutions, and residents.
Courtesy: C2 Photography
During the panel, the audience learned about the RGV and the socioeconomic and health challenges many residents face. The region is also home to communities in unincorporated areas known as colonias, which often lack basic infrastructure and essential services. However, Wesolowski said that MHM looks beyond this deficit-based lens, recognizing that the RGV exhibits many of the characteristics commonly associated with Blue Zones communities: “They are incredibly socially connected. They run to each other’s rescue whenever it is needed. They have very strong families. Many of the households are multigenerational, living together, and taking care of each other. Grandkids are growing up with their grandparents. There’s very strong faith.”
The four RGV cities that participated in the assessment phase—McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, and Mission—expressed strong interest in advancing to the next stage of the Blue Zones initiative. Wesolowski exclusively shared with the audience that local partners, the Knapp Community Care Foundation and the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, have joined MHM in supporting an expansion of the assessment to neighboring cities, including Weslaco, Harlingen, and Brownsville, with the potential to impact nearly one million residents across the region. Wesolowski and Buettner shared the ultimate goal is to increase longevity and enhance residents’ quality of life.
Ideas that Inspire:
Wesolowski explains how conversations can inspire bold ideas, “My conversation with Dan at Aspen Ideas: Health sparked a shared vision that ultimately led to a transformative partnership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Blue Zones, and communities across the Rio Grande Valley. It is a powerful reminder that, with trust, collaboration, and support, a single conversation can evolve into something far greater. As we continue our work to empower the communities we walk alongside, I am grateful for this partnership and our shared commitment to creating healthier futures.”
The connections and meaningful dialogue that happen at Aspen Ideas: Health can ignite and inspire. The conference serves as a gathering space for visionaries and thought leaders who seek to listen, learn, and collaborate with a shared commitment to communities. From thought-provoking discussions on the future of health care to transformative partnerships, AIH continues to be a place where bold ideas are not only encouraged but celebrated.
For MHM, the conference reinforces the importance of embracing innovative approaches and transformative partnerships as it seeks to carry out its core mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God. The growing partnership between MHM, Blue Zones, and communities across the Rio Grande Valley stands as a powerful example that lasting change often begins with a simple idea—and the willingness to pursue it together.
In 2025, Methodist Healthcare Ministries reached a new milestone in its mission –– 30 years of Serving Humanity to Honor God. The year ushered in a new chapter of innovation and impact in the communities the organization serves and walks alongside –– defined by immediate response to urgent needs and the expansion of transformative partnerships.
Though out the year, MHM continued to build upon these three pillars of its “20/20 Vision” strategic plan to advance the health outcomes for low-income, uninsured individuals and families across Texas:
Transform Internal Processes and Culture
Strengthen Communities
Impact Systemic Change
Explore our full Impact Report below to see how these efforts are creating healthier people and places today, and building a foundation for generational well-being tomorrow.
Presented by Colton Strawser, Ph.D., CFRE, BCC and Keith Ackerman, LMSW
Description: This session challenges leaders to move beyond surface-level awareness and take meaningful steps toward embedding trauma-informed principles throughout their organizations.
Drawing on insights and practical tools, this session will explore what trauma is, how it impacts individuals and communities, and why a trauma-informed approach is essential across all areas of nonprofit work—not just direct service settings, but also within management and facility operations. Participants will examine the growing gap between the use of trauma-related language and the operational changes required to truly support healing, safety, and dignity.
Through real-world examples and an adaptable framework, attendees will learn how to integrate trauma-informed practices into staff culture, service delivery, internal policies, communications, and even physical environments. This session emphasizes that becoming trauma-informed is not a one-time initiative, but an ongoing process requiring reflection, intentionality, and incremental change.
Participants will leave with actionable strategies and a clearer roadmap to help their organizations move from aspiration to implementation—building environments rooted in compassion, empowerment, and respect.
For more than 30 years, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) has worked to build and sustain healthy communities across its 74-county service region. In addition to clinical care for uninsured and economically disadvantaged individuals, MHM advances health by addressing the social and economic conditions that shape well-being—including the vital need for digital equity.
Courtesy of Mission Road Development Center
Digital equity ensures all people have access to the technology, connectivity, and skills needed to fully participate in society, democracy, and the modern economy. Since launching this initiative, MHM has invested more than $35 million in digital equity efforts through grantmaking, capacity-building, strategic partnerships, and advocacy.
Two of MHM’s digital equity partners—Mission Road Developmental Center and Girls Inc. of San Antonio—are leading powerful, community-focused work that expands connectivity, increases affordability, and strengthens digital skills.
Mission Road: Opening Digital Doors for People with IDD
Mission Road Developmental Center (MRDC) has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for decades, providing care, education, and opportunities for independence. Yet, in today’s world, independence also means digital access—a challenge for many in the IDD community.
With support from MHM, Mission Road launched a Digital Equity, Access, and Engagement initiative designed to break down barriers to technology. The program includes:
Courtesy of Mission Road Development Center
Assistive Technology Access – Providing adaptive hardware and software that supports reading, writing, communication, and online navigation. This includes device upgrades within residential homes, bringing programs such as Kibu directly to the individuals Mission Road serves.
Digital Connectors – Training staff members to serve as technology mentors—helping participants build digital literacy skills while promoting safe and confident online engagement. They currently have one Digital Equity Program Coordinator and 10 Digital Equity Program Connectors on staff.
Technology Infrastructure – Installing computer labs at the Unicorn Centers campus and the Mission Road main campus, upgrading devices, and strengthening broadband connectivity to ensure reliable access.
Hands-On Training – Offering interactive classes for participants, families, and staff, building confidence in using technology for education, healthcare access, employment readiness, and daily life.
“No programs like this exist for the IDD population in San Antonio,” Mission Road leaders shared. “This initiative is essential for inclusion, productivity, and independence.”
Girls Inc: Building Confidence Through Digital Literacy
Girls Inc. of San Antonio inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold through programs that develop leadership, STEM skills, and wellness. With MHM’s support, Girls Inc is integrating digital equity into its curriculum—empowering girls to navigate technology safely and confidently.
Courtesy of Girls, Inc.
Through the Digital Ambassadors Program, high school participants receive hands-on digital literacy training and then share their knowledge with the community. From helping neighbors log into healthcare portals at local libraries to teaching family members how to access Wi-Fi and online resources, these ambassadors are bridging the digital divide. The MHM grant has been transformative, enabling Girls Inc to:
Deliver consistent digital literacy workshops focused on online safety, communication, and critical thinking.
Train staff, volunteers, and even donors to integrate digital health and wellness into programming.
Reach more girls in historically underserved communities, ensuring they are not only connected but confident in using technology for education, health, and future careers.
“We would like everyone to understand that Girls Inc. is an all-encompassing organization that focuses on the whole girl,” said Dani Vidal, BiblioTech Niña Facilitator with Girls Inc. of San Antonio. “Our organization is an investment to the girls we serve. We help our girls learn vital skills that translate to everyday necessities, including but not limited to school-based skills, college and career readiness, navigating digital literacy, and community service.”
Why Digital Equity Matters
Both Mission Road and Girls Inc recognize that digital access is more than convenience—it’s a vital condition for health equity. From scheduling medical appointments to applying for jobs, technology is a gateway to opportunity. By equipping individuals with tools and training, these organizations are ensuring that no one is left behind.
How You Can Help
Community support makes these programs possible. Here’s how you can get involved:
Spread Awareness: Share the importance of digital equity and the work of Mission Road and Girls Inc.
Volunteer: Serve as a mentor, guest speaker, or workshop facilitator.
Partner: Help create internship opportunities for Girls Inc participants or support technology initiatives for Mission Road.
Donate: Financial contributions sustain and expand these programs, ensuring access for those who need it most.
Courtesy of Girls, Inc.
The Power of Collaboration
Digital equity is a cornerstone of thriving communities. Through collaboration and commitment, Mission Road and Girls Inc are transforming lives—one connection at a time.
To learn more or get involved, visit: Mission Road Developmental Center | Girls Inc. of San Antonio
The roadmap to excellence is shaped by lessons learned and opportunities for improvement; however, it is also a commitment from team members across Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). To transform its internal culture and strengthen the level of care and partnerships in the communities it serves and walks alongside, MHM began exploring the Baldrige Excellence Framework.
Over the years, MHM has created policies, processes, and procedures, sharpening its focus on continuous improvement. This intentional approach led to significant milestones in the organization’s excellence journey, including submitting an application for the 2025 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the nation’s only presidential honor recognizing performance excellence. MHM received the prestigious recognition as a 2025 finalist and was one of only six organizations across the country to advance to the awards’ final phase and receive a Best Practice Spotlight for its Thriving Workforce.
In March 2026, a delegation of MHM team members traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, to attend the Baldrige Award Ceremony, which was held ahead of the 37th annual Quest for Excellence Conference. Team members attended various sessions during the three-day convening, learning and engaging with other Baldrige recipients. The conference also provided an opportunity for MHM to share its story of excellence on a national stage.
Creating a Legacy of Excellence:
Courtesy: Hamilton Photography
Officials with the Baldrige Foundation, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) presided over the award ceremony and presented the six organizations with their respective awards and recognitions. Representing MHM on stage was Oanh Maroney‑Omitade, Senior Vice President of Organizational Excellence. “When I stop and think about all the things we have done over just the past five years, it’s been phenomenal, and it has helped us become better as an organization,” she said.
Maroney‑Omitade believes embracing change has strengthened the organization’s mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God. “We have to decide if we are going to let change happen to us or if we are going to manage change in ways that help us be successful as an organization and accomplish our mission, which is about our patients.” Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of MHM, credits team members across the organization for forging a path toward excellence. “Together, we have built a stronger culture that continues to elevate how we work, lead, and serve. At MHM, our commitment to excellence is more than just high standards; it is embracing our responsibility to serve the least served with integrity, compassion, and lasting impact.”
The conference opened with keynote remarks from speaker Molly Baldrige, daughter of Malcolm “Mac” Baldrige, for whom the award is named. He was known for his dedication to and advocacy for American industry, trade efficiency, and global competitiveness during his tenure as the 26th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Courage, humility, and discipline were described as hallmarks of his character—virtues which shape modern‑day approaches to leadership and excellence.
Elevating Diverse Voices in Diverse Places:
Various sessions were held throughout the conference, including panel discussions presented by MHM leaders and staff. Jennifer Knoulton, Vice President of Community Health & Wellness, and Jessica Muñoz, Vice President of Communications, led the Serving Diverse Customers & Markets session. MHM team members, Melanie Call, Community Investments Manager; Lorraine Hernandez, Director of Patient Services; and Matt Leonard, Director of Communications, served as panelists.
The discussion highlighted how MHM refined its key processes to provide exceptional integrated and patient-centered care, elevate customer voice, and build trusted relationships. “People were interested in our model of working with uninsured and underinsured populations; they recognize that it is a huge need. The way we work with the broad definition of healthcare, moving across different sectors, is essential for organizations to think about,” said Knoulton.
Muñoz emphasizes the importance of improvement and believes communities benefit when organizations can learn from one another. “This is about us sharing what we’ve learned in the markets that we serve and then drawing inspiration from what other people have learned so that we can continue to get better.” She said listening and partnering with communities is critical to creating processes that work. “We don’t ever want to think we have the right answer; we want it validated by the people who live there and who are experiencing the access to care that we are trying to create.”
Strengthening Workforce and Purpose:
Maroney‑Omitade and Bridget Lamme, Vice President of Human Resources at MHM, led the Developing a Thriving Workforce session. Panelists included MHM team members, Mike Cervera, Director of Human Resources; Sophia London, Community Health Worker Manager; and Melody Swisher, Director of Organizational Learning and Development. The session focused on MHM’s practices and model for workforce engagement, which led to a Baldrige Best Practice Spotlight. Lamme shared why it is important to take care of the workforce that takes care of the work. “There are so many things that we are doing in our strategy; you’re going to need staff that are thriving to be able to do that work. You start with the staff, and it carries out into the community.”
The conference concluded with a Q&A that featured the 2025 Award Recipients and Best Practice Spotlight Organizations. Maroney‑Omitade sat down to reflect on MHM’s journey to Baldrige, which had been years in the making. She said that by creating a capacity for excellence and organizational alignment, MHM reached numerous milestones and gained invaluable lessons, leading to national recognition. “We’ve moved along this process together, and we’ve learned as we’ve gone, and there have been wins along the way.”
The MHM delegation departed Baltimore with a new perspective on their work and approach to excellence. Niebla Marcela Alba, RDH, Dental Hygienist at the Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and Alexandra Quintero, Dental Assistant at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center, were part of the team that attended the conference.
“Overall, attending the conference left me feeling motivated and better equipped to pursue meaningful improvements. It reinforced the idea that excellence isn’t a destination, but an ongoing process that requires commitment, adaptability, and a willingness to learn,” said Alba. Quintero shared, “I felt deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from and witness the journeys of other organizations striving for excellence. It is a source of empowerment to realize that I am part of our own path toward creating a similar framework.”
Maroney‑Omitade said she is grateful that team members were able to hear and learn from others during their time in Baltimore. She believes it is the lessons they take back that will lead to more change. “We don’t have to go back and move mountains every day; it’s incremental growth, and collectively, if we are all on that journey for improvement, that incremental growth is significant.”
Description: This session will explore how AI can support leadership growth. Brainstorm creative ways to use AI tools to enhance communication, decision-making, and self-awareness. The webinar will focus on how to think innovatively and discover how technology can help us become better nonprofit leaders.
Change is constant in the nonprofit sector. Whether driven by shifting community needs, new technologies, funding fluctuations, or internal dynamics, nonprofit organizations must continually evolve to stay relevant and effective. Navigating change isn’t easy—especially in mission‑driven environments where resources are stretched and the stakes are high.
The good news? Change doesn’t have to feel chaotic. With intention, reflection, and people-centered planning, nonprofits can transform change from stress to strategy.
Why Adaptability Matters More Than Ever
As community needs rise and environments shift, adaptability becomes essential for nonprofit survival. Flexible organizations can respond quickly to emerging issues, leverage new opportunities, strengthen resilience, and better meet community needs to fulfill their mission. Structured change management ensures that nonprofits don’t simply react but instead use change as an opportunity to deepen their impact.
A Simple but Powerful Leadership Practice: Create “Balcony Time”
Nonprofit leaders are often caught in the whirlwind of daily buzz of activity—emails, operations, meetings, and program needs. Meaningful change sometimes requires stepping away from the noise of daily work to observe the bigger picture.
Balcony time is a dedicated weekly practice—10 minutes to half an hour—where leaders pause and reflect.
Here are some questions to consider to spark thinking:
What are the current needs or changing needs of my community/organization?
What new questions about our mission or future spark curiosity?
If we achieved our boldest dreams, what would that look like?
What ideas haven’t we explored yet that could deepen our mission?
What am I missing because I’ve been too busy?
What are our community and partners telling us that we haven’t fully heard?
Taking notes during balcony time reveals patterns—insights that show where attention, exploration, or planning is needed.
Listen to Your People: Staff, Stakeholders, and Community Voices Matter
Successful change isn’t implemented to people—it’s built with them.
Use conversations with staff, partners, clients, and community members to identify emerging themes. Then match those themes with your organization’s mission and values to determine which changes are most urgent and where a change effort could strengthen impact. When people feel heard, they’re far more likely to embrace change.
Ongoing practices can include inviting feedback, discussing lessons learned, engaging your team in planning, and creating space for honest dialogue.
Avoid Common Pitfalls in Change Management
Even well-intentioned organizations can stumble during change efforts. Three common missteps stand out:
1. Rolling Out Change Without Fully Committing to It
Making the decision to change is only the beginning. Without a solid implementation plan and a mechanism for feedback, changes often fade or fail. Commit the needed time, energy, and follow-through.
2. Refusing to Admit a Change Isn’t Working
Sometimes, despite best efforts, a change simply doesn’t succeed. Instead of clinging to a failing approach:
Evaluate the results
Acknowledge the effort
Course‑correct
Even celebrate the learning
Letting go can protect staff morale and prevent burnout.
3. Underestimating Change Fatigue
With so much happening in the world, people are easily overwhelmed by too much change at once. Leaders can reduce fatigue by:
Prioritizing which changes roll out first
Helping teams distinguish between urgent tasks and what can wait
Encouraging rest, pacing, and focus
Culture: The Invisible Force That Can Accelerate or Block Change
Organizational culture—how people interact, communicate, make decisions, and interpret values—can either support change or work against it.
An organizational culture that embraces curiosity, transparency, and continuous improvement enables change to stick. A culture that values stability above all else or avoids conflict may unintentionally resist even necessary shifts.
Leaders should continuously examine:
How organizational culture shows up in daily behaviors
What messages are being sent implicitly
Where culture aligns—or misaligns—with organizational goals
Recognizing organizational cultural barriers is the first step to addressing them.
Final Thoughts: Change as a Path to Impact
Nonprofits exist to address community needs, and those needs are constantly evolving. By planning ahead, listening deeply, reflecting regularly, and caring for the people who make the work possible, nonprofits can navigate change with clarity and confidence.
Change isn’t just a challenge—it’s a powerful opportunity to grow, adapt, and better serve your mission.
This free, on-demand webinar resource discusses how employee well-being can have a huge impact on organizational culture and performance, and mental health experts give strategies to help your workforce cope with living in times of perpetual change.
San Antonio, TX (March 4, 2026) – Eight community coalitions from across the Rio Grande Valley have been selected for the fifth cohort of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together (PJTT) Learning Collaborative. Representing Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron counties, the coalitions will begin a six‑month learning collaborative in March 2026 to explore frameworks that will help them develop and implement a health equity strategy tailored to their communities.
PJTT supports communities in shifting and sharing power to accelerate their journey toward health equity. Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) strongly believes that communities are best equipped to improve their health and well-being. The ultimate goal of this collaborative is to provide coalitions with the knowledge and resources to strategically advance health equity, utilizing the Pathways to Population Health framework as a guide.
“The Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together program is one of the ways that we advance our strategic focus of strengthening communities,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “It has been an invigorating experience for our team as it allows us to have a stronger and deeper level of engagement where we learn and co-create the solutions with people who live, work, pray, and play in the communities we serve.”
This is the fifth cohort of MHM’s PJTT Learning Collaborative and the first time the program is included in the Rio Grande Valley.
The coalitions selected for the cohort include:
Rio Grande Valley Region
Coalición El Poder de Las Flores
Frontera Arts in Bloom, Las Malcriadas Fronterizas, Resistencia Fronteriza
La Causa Coalition
Trans Asylum Seeker Support Network, Organización Latina Trans in Texas, Trans Barber
RGV Arts & Culture Coalition
Trucha, ENTRE Film Center & Regional Archive,Voces Unidas,Museo 956
South Texas Coalition for Change
South Texas Equality Project, GenTex,South Texans for Reproductive Justice
Agenda RGV
IDRA, ARISE Adelante, PossAble Foundation
Delta Strong Coalition – Building Health, Safety & Housing Stability in the Delta Region
Proyecto Azteca, Hidalgo County Emergency Services District No. 2, Caso Law Firm
Mind, Body, and Soul: Growing Together
Hope and Help Center of Starr County, Starr County Precinct 3 Food Pantry, La Casita Volunteer Fire Department
RGV Heat Justice Community Coalition
ARISE Adelante, Border Workers United, University of Texas at San Antonio
During the learning collaborative, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ PJTT team supports the coalitions in developing a multi-sector collaboration that incorporates persons with recent lived experience of the challenges that the coalition is tackling into the coalition’s leadership team. The goal is for community coalitions to identify and focus on one or more vital community condition (such as humane housing or reliable transportation) that contributes to the well-being of the entire community. Each coalition creates a strategic framework or plan of action for advancing health equity. The PJTT team meets regularly with the coalitions, schedules monthly check-ins to build rapport and trust and offer support as the coalitions learn and grow.
Coalitions that successfully complete the Learning Collaborative will be invited to apply to the Implementation Phase. The Implementation Phase lasts 3 years and includes funding as well as capacity-building resources. Although coalitions will focus their time working in community, they will still be invited to collaborate with each other through convenings and peer coaching & learning.
About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
[San Antonio, TX, February 20, 2026] – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is proud to announce it has been named afinalist for the 2025 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, one of six organizations nationwide to advance to the award’s final phase. This prestigious recognition reflects MHM’s commitment to performance improvement and marks a significant milestone in its multi‑year excellence journey.
In addition to being named a finalist, MHM has been honored with a Baldrige Best Practice Spotlight, a distinction created to recognize innovative, high‑impact practices demonstrated by top-performing Baldrige applicants. MHM received this honor for its Thriving Workforce strategy, an initiative that strengthens organizational culture, enhances employee engagement, and improves retention through intentional employee listening, responsive policies, and authentic engagement that affirms and builds up the dignity and gifts of each of its ‘Caring Servant’ team members.
MHM President & CEO Jaime Wesolowski celebrated the achievement, “Being recognized in the Baldrige Best Practice Spotlight is a tremendous honor—and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our 588 team members for whom this recognition marks an important milestone in MHM’s excellence journey. Together, we have strengthened our culture, improved our processes, and deepened our impact across the communities we serve, and I am immensely proud of how far we’ve come and energized by the work ahead.”
MHM’s Thriving Workforce strategy is recognized as a best practice for its mission‑centered approach to empowering its ‘Caring Servant’ team members to serve with compassion and excellence. Rooted in intentional listening and authentic engagement, the strategy emphasizes co‑designing transparent systems that ensure employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to thrive.
By empowering, engaging, and equipping its workforce, MHM directly strengthens community well‑being. High team‑member engagement and consistently low turnover preserve service continuity and trusted relationships across MHM’s 74‑county region—critical elements when serving economically disadvantaged populations. This stability drives strong organizational performance, enabling top‑decile clinical outcomes in key indicators such patient satisfaction, depression screenings, and diabetes control. MHM also models economic well‑being through substantial compensation enhancements, reflecting the thriving conditions it seeks to champion in the communities it serves.
Key drivers of the strategy include belonging, transparent leadership, shared decision‑making, meaningful recognition, and work‑life balance—reinforced through initiatives such as the Assembly peer‑recognition platform, Java with Jaime (CEO listening sessions), and organization‑wide town halls with senior leaders. A cross‑functional Thriving Workforce Taskforce provides ongoing insights into emerging needs and informs enhancements to pay, equity, and benefits, including increased minimum wages, paid parental leave, student loan repayment assistance, and expanded bereavement support.
MHM also invests in leadership development through internal programs for all tiers of staff including Ambassador Academy, Leadership Legacy, and Pathfinder, along with generous educational and certification funding available to all team members. Holistic well‑being is supported through wellness days, onsite fitness centers, volunteer time off, and pastoral care—helping position MHM as an employer of choice, recently recognized as a 2023 Top Workplace by the San Antonio Express‑News and Energage.
MHM’s recognition by Baldridge comes nearly five years after first embarking on its excellence journey, which included a systematic, organization-wide process of transformation focused on improving quality, innovation, and continuous improvement for how to best serve its patients and counties across its 74-count service area. Throughout the journey, MHM has been acknowledged by the Quality Texas Foundation with its Recognition Level Award in 2023 and the Quality Texas Foundation Governor’s Texas Award for Performance Excellencein 2024.
These milestones laid the foundation for MHM’s 2025 Baldrige Award application, which has now placed the organization among the nation’s top performers in organizational excellence.
The Baldrige Award—established by Congress and administered by NIST—is the nation’s highest presidential recognition for organizational performance excellence. It identifies role model organizations across sectors and promotes the sharing of best practices nationwide. Past awardees include top-performing nonprofits, health systems, educational institutions, and service organizations, all recognized for worldclass leadership, strategy, workforce engagement, customer focus, and results. model organizations across sectors and promotes the sharing of best practices nationwide. Past awardees include top-performing nonprofits, health systems, educational institutions, and service organizations, all recognized for worldclass leadership, strategy, workforce engagement, customer focus, and results. ‑model organizations across sectors and promotes the sharing of best practices nationwide. Past awardees include top-performing nonprofits, health systems, educational institutions, and service organizations, all recognized for world‑class leadership, strategy, workforce engagement, customer focus, and results.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM)
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. Using its earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare, the organization strives to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. This is accomplished by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, the organization fulfills its mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in its 74-county South and Central Texas service area can thrive.
UPDATED: Conditions have improved, and MHM-owned facilities will reopen for operations beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27.
San Antonio (January 24, 2026) Due to expected inclement weather, all San Antonio area Methodist Healthcare Ministries facilities will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; George RicksSchool Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary, Wesley Nurse sites, Northwest Center Office, and the Corporate Office. Patients with existing appointments for Monday will be rescheduled.
Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services.
All operations are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, January 27, pending safe commute conditions.
The safety of our patients, clients, and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners ofMethodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economicmobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
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.
