Blog – Page 15 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

A few words from your Wesley Nurse: Zika Virus

DW Admin on April 20, 2016

By Rhonda Hunnicutt, RN, Wesley Nurse

I don't think anyone would argue what beautiful weather we had this spring. I've lived in and traveled to different areas of the country and the world, and the proud Texan in me thinks there's nothing more beautiful than our own Texas bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and other wildflowers blooming in all of God's majesty. The spring flowers have faded now, and in their place are those pesky little mosquitos.

Last year brought light to a species of mosquitoes and the frightening advent of the Zika virus, moving out of Africa and Southeast Asia towards South and Central America. It is important to note that although there have been small numbers of the Aedes mosquitos detected in southern states, there are currently no locally acquired vector-borne cases in the U.S. And the same mosquitoes that carry Zika, also carry the dengue and chikungunya viruses that we've heard about in past years. There are cases of Zika that have been diagnosed in the U.S. but have occurred from a person traveling to one of the areas previously mentioned and re-entering the country.

What we know about Zika is still evolving, but what we do know is that there has been a surge of microcephaly – a condition in which a baby's head is abnormally small due to abnormal brain development – in infants born to mothers who live or traveled in the aforementioned areas. There have also been cases in the U.S. linked to sexual transmission. New information also indicates that there may be a connection between contracting Zika and Guillan-Barre syndrome, a rare illness affecting a person's nervous system.

Zika is spread as the female Aedes mosquito bites an infected person, then goes on to bite another person where it is believed the virus is thereby transferred. These mosquitoes are aggressive, biting at all hours of the day. They like ankles and elbows, especially during the day. As with most things, simple steps can reduce or eliminate risks from biting insects. Prevention and avoidance are important. With our previous blessed rainfall, standing water is a bountiful breeding ground for mosquitos. Remember to empty containers of standing water frequently, even small ones. Pet water dishes, flower pot trays, old tires or other objects in the yard are favorite places for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Using an insect repellent is imperative in preventing mosquito bites, just make sure to read and follow the directions carefully and reapply as recommended. If you will be using both sunscreen and an insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first.

I encourage everyone to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website; there is a wealth of information available on the Zika virus: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html. Zika has been around in other countries since 1947, so the fact that we're just now seeing cases closer to home is surprising. The more we read and learn, the better we're equipped to deal with this virus. Until next time, be well and be blessed.

Rhonda Hunnicutt, RN, is a Wesley Nurse with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurse program is a faith-based, holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least-served through education, health promotion and collaboration with individuals and communities to achieve improved wellness through self-empowerment. Learn more at www.mhm.org/programs/health-ministries.

2016 Fiesta Medal Announced

DW Admin on April 19, 2016

Fiesta is now underway! Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is proud to introduce our exclusive 2016 Fiesta medal.

As an organization that has been headquartered in San Antonio for more than 20 years, Fiesta is a grand celebration that is important to us, as well as the longstanding tradition of Fiesta medals.

Last year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries opened a competition for its more than 350 employees to design the organization's 2016 Fiesta medal. The winning medal, chosen by team members, was designed by Federal Grants and Programs Assistant Mae Barajas.

"Fiesta is a colorful and lively time, and designing this medal gave me the chance to express how proud I am of my city," said Barajas. "I wanted to incorporate San Antonio's artistic landmarks and to reflect how Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a huge part of our city's prosperity."

The medals were given as a gift to employees and community partners making its way through the 74 South Texas counties Methodist Healthcare Ministries operates programs out of.

While the medals are not up for sale, keep an eye out on our social media pages this week for a chance to win a medal to add to your collection!

Facebook: @mhmstx
Twitter: @mhmstx
Instagram: @mhmstx
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/methodist-healthcare-ministries

Methodist Healthcare Ministries would like to wish everyone a healthy, happy 2016 Fiesta season!

Reducing patient no-shows through health care technology

DW Admin on April 18, 2016

By Jane Hevezi, grants specialist

Many clinics that Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. supports through community grants share the common problem of patient missed appointments and no-shows and are searching for solutions. In alignment with Methodist Healthcare Ministries' strategy to increase access to care, an innovative solution was implemented in Bandera, Texas by one of our funded partners, the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, addressing this very issue and empowering patients to engage in their health care.

The clinic's executive director, Bruce Hanks, was determined to find a solution to the chronic no-show problem since many patients face issues such as transportation limitations and are unable to keep an appointment or need to reschedule. He adapted a technological solution – a mobile patient engagement app called CareMessage that has the ability to send appointment reminders via text, send surveys, collect data from any patient population, manage prescriptions, engage patients in chronic disease management, and support patients outside of the clinic with automated health education programs that are bilingual.

"We needed a way to increase patient engagement while improving patient outcomes," said Hanks. "We used CareMessage to send text message reminders to patients, which came in handy not only for appointments but other notifications too – like reminding patients to bring in their medications, or to drink extra water if it was a hotter than normal that day."

Through CareMessage, the clinic significantly reduced the number of no-shows by using the mobile appointment reminder system, which positively impacted the health of patients and increased access to care. In 2014 before CareMessage, the clinic had an almost 30 percent no-show rate. With the use of CareMessage, the number of no-shows reduced by approximately 70 percent in 2015.

Another byproduct of the new technology was the reduction of medical costs. Hanks explained, "If we can see more patients and fewer appointments are missed, then our cost-per-patient visit goes down."

To further address the problem, the clinic has worked to update patient phone numbers at each appointment to ensure they can be reached.

"The most important thing I learned after implementing this software was that folks who were the ones showing up the least were the ones who are the most chronically ill," said Hanks. "I took those statistics to heart and am glad we made changes."

To learn more about the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, visit www.nagelclinic.org. For more on Methodist Healthcare Ministries' grant-making, click here.

The Arthur Nagel Community Clinic joined Methodist Healthcare Ministries' family of funded partners in 2009. The Clinic provides free primary, preventive, mental and dental health care services to the underserved residents of Bandera County. To date, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $462,875 in funding to support the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic.

Pearls of Wellness Wisdom

DW Admin on April 1, 2016

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)

I start off with this verse because April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We know, however, that we must prevent and address abuse each and every day. Having worked as a behavioral health nurse, I am acutely aware of the devastating and destructive effects that physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse has on a child's life. It is up to the community, agencies, schools, and churches to protect and strengthen families because these institutions have a great influence on family life.

Children thrive on attention, affection, and having their needs adequately met by their parents. They depend on parents to nurture, guide, instruct, and support them on a daily basis and throughout their life span. Children need parents to be a part of their lives, and to be aware of their friends and activities –even when parents aren't very welcomed around their teenage years. Your awareness, knowledge and involvement in the care of children within your family, church, and community can help prevent or stop current abuse. Reporting child abuse and neglect is mandated by law, not just for professionals, but for any person that witnesses or suspects a child is affected. Speak up and be an advocate. Reports can be made to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or www.dfps.state.tx.us, or to a law enforcement agency. Additional information can be found at www.childwelfare.gov.

You can advocate for children and further help to nurture communities through education, speaking to neighbors, and/or becoming a volunteer at any organization that serves families. If you are unable to physically participate in this manner, you can carry this need in your heart and pray for children and families struggling with these issues. Pray for justice for these little ones. Pray for their healing and protection. Remember to always thank the Lord for your family, little ones, and the life and love that you all share with each other.

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, please join us at the 19th Annual Hidalgo County Child Abuse Prevention Candlelight Vigil on April 7, 2016, for a public awareness walk to raise awareness and remember those we have lost to child abuse. The walk begins at the CASA of Hidalgo County office building (1001 S. 10th Ave., Edinburg, TX 78539) at 5:45 p.m., and ends at the Hidalgo County Court House lawn where the Candlelight Vigil will take place at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (956) 381-0346 or visit www.casaofhidalgo.com.

My Walk Across Texas Journey

DW Admin on March 10, 2016

By Wesley Nurse, Lindsey Floyd, RN

As a Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse in Edna, TX, I encourage good nutrition and exercise. My role involves being committed to helping the least served in our community through education, health promotion, and collaboration to achieve improved wellness through self-empowerment. Walking, in particular, is a great form of exercise since it is inexpensive and is an easy way to get fit.

This year, I, along with Jackson County Hospital District, recruited people in Jackson County to participate in Walk Across Texas – a free 8-week statewide program designed by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity. The goal is to "walk across the state of Texas" in eight weeks – 830 miles. In order to stay on track, everyone on a team (up to eight people) must walk nearly 13 miles each week.

Our initial goal was to form 10 teams. We are proud to say that we now have 30! We started our challenge on February 16.

The aim is to be the first team to reach 830 miles or walk the most miles. We hope to walk 850 miles. While there is no monetary compensation, the much greater benefit includes reducing your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. This challenge helps people start moving more to establish physical activity as a lifetime habit. What's also great is since you're working in a team, you have a support system to help you keep going. In fact, you don't even have to walk to participate; you can convert your exercise into mileage, which allows participants to do any type of physical activity that fits their lifestyle. Some of our team members are walking on their own, while others walk together on tracks and city parks.

With just a few weeks to go, all our teams are happy to join thousands of fellow Texans on a daily walk to a better life. We will have an awards night to celebrate our accomplishments on April 12.

If you're interested in participating (anyone can join, even individually), check out the Walk Across Texas website at http://walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu/. To learn more about Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurse program – a faith-based, holistic health and wellness program – visit http://www.mhm.org/programs/community-outreach.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

DW Admin on March 1, 2016

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and is a subject close to me, as I have lost two aunts to this disease. It is such a horrible illness to go through, and yet, in so many cases, preventable. With a number of ways to screen for colorectal cancer, we should be seeing a decrease in the number of cases or deaths.

I will be quite honest, as a nurse and a patient, I can say it is no lie when you hear someone say that the colonoscopy 'prep' is the worst part. But, it is temporary. There are preparations now that aren't nearly so bad as early preps. Talk with your doctor about which one is best for you. But by all means, please talk to your doctor about getting a colon screening if you are 50 or over, or earlier if you have a close relative with colorectal polyps or cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or other genetic syndromes. Truly, most people have no recollection of the colonoscopy procedure due to the medications administered.

Colorectal cancer is non-discriminatory; it affects men and women, especially age 50 and over. In fact, it is the cancer with the second highest mortality rate in the United States! But it is sneaky… many colorectal cancers can start from a polyp that develops into cancer over time. There may be no symptoms in the early stages, be it from an early colorectal cancer or from the precancerous polyps. But with the screenings, these polyps can be removed before they cause problems. Though these symptoms may be caused by other illnesses, some things to watch for are unexplained weight loss, blood in/on stool with bowel movement, persistent abdominal aches, pains or cramps.

The type of testing or screening and frequency of testing varies, and insurance coverage varies as well. There may be assistance available to those who are not able to afford the screening.

What I can tell you with all certainty is that I would much rather go through a little discomfort with the preparation and get past the feeling of embarrassment of the procedure than the devastation of people's lives and that of their families from this terrible disease, especially since, in most cases, colorectal cancer is so preventable. So please, I can't ask you enough to talk with your doctor about screening options. For more information on colorectal screening, visit www.cdc.gov/screenforlife.

A Heartwarming Wesley Nurse Story

DW Admin on February 25, 2016

One day I was notified by my pastor, Pastor Leggett of Bastrop United Methodist Church, that a member of the congregation with a passion for helping the homeless donated a large sum to a fund intended to help the ministry team with outreach. In the interest of connecting the donor to the proper needs, I contacted the president of Mission U-Too, Jonah Beyer, to inquire about needs in the community. A low-income, Spanish-speaking family of six, with four children ranging in ages from six to 14 years old, had lost their home to a fire the week before Christmas. Jonah had been praying for them, as his organization lacked the funds needed to assist. Can you see a little wink from God here? Jonah told me that tires for a donated RV and a language barrier stood between this family and a temporary home, as they waited for their home to be rebuilt.

For me, there was no question of what I would do. I contacted local tire shops to price the tires and petitioned for the funds by email through Pastor Leggett. Pastor Leggett then approved the use of funds with the donor. The donor was actually present when the fire occurred and although he did not know the family, he was personally touched by their situation. The same day, the church treasurer arrived and wrote a check to a small community tire shop with the best price. With much joy, I called the family and explained what needed to occur to have the tires mounted on the RV and that the church had covered all costs. Later that day, the family was able to move their RV to family property and start moving gifts and supplies donated by other churches into their home. The family was also offered instructions on where to go temporarily to bathe and eat free of cost.

This situation inspired the First United Methodist Church Board of Trustees to begin the process of converting an unused outbuilding into a place of temporary refuge – so families experiencing homelessness can wash their clothes and relax in a setting that is safe and hope-filled. Volunteers will staff the site and minister to these families, and this Wesley Nurse plans on providing church health magazines for those who visit.

President/CEO Kevin Moriarty Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary

DW Admin on February 20, 2016

Methodist Healthcare Ministries – a faith-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 South Texas counties – has thrived under Moriarty's direction. He is responsible for executing the overall direction for the organization, executive administration of Methodist Healthcare Ministries' primary care medical and dental clinics, and providing policy guidance to Methodist Healthcare Ministries' board of directors.

Since being selected as the founding president and chief executive officer in February 1996, Moriarty has led Methodist Healthcare Ministries to become the largest private funding source for community health care services in South Texas. Moriarty's implementation of the board of director's strategy of community health has grown from one program in 1996, with 2,900 patient/client visits, less than five funded partners, and a $3.1 million budget, to 21 programs in 2016, 850,000 projected patient/client visits, more than 90 funded partners and a $91.9 million budget. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been recognized by law makers as a critical voice and advocate for low-income families and the uninsured. Through its public policy analysis and research, and as a result of Moriarty's direction, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has helped to ensure Texans have greater access to health care services.

In addition, Moriarty oversees the quality and charitable management of the Methodist Healthcare System, San Antonio's second largest private employer of which Methodist Healthcare Ministries is one-half owner. 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 charitable care when needed. Under Moriarty's leadership at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and through his role on the Methodist Healthcare System's Board of Governors and its Community Boards, both organizations have made great strides in working to achieve a high standard in community care.

Prior to his service at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Moriarty served as a public official with the City of San Antonio for more than 20 years. The last position he held was as director for the Department of Community Initiatives. A native New Yorker, Moriarty received his B.A. from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York, with areas of concentration in history, economics and philosophy. He earned a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the City University of New York with a concentration in public administration, health and human services planning, manpower planning and data analysis. Moriarty continued his education through the Harvard Business School Executive Program in 1997, and the Executive Program for Philanthropy Leaders through Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2006.

Moriarty also served as a member of the Peace Corps in Liberia, West Africa for two years as a teacher for elementary and secondary schools.

Today, Kevin resides in San Antonio with his wife and five children. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is honored to celebrate this grand milestone and looks forward to continuing prosperously under his leadership. Congratulations, Kevin!

School Based Health Centers Celebrate 15 Years of Service

DW Admin on February 19, 2016

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the opening of our School Based Health Centers.

Since 2001, the School Based Health Centers at Krueger Elementary and Schertz Elementary have helped children in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City and Marion Independent School Districts (as well as their siblings up to age 21) have access to pediatric primary health care, dental services and a comprehensive range of services.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries invites you to celebrate this milestone with us, along with National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month in February, by attending our Open House on Tuesday, February 23, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary (757 Curtiss Ave., Schertz, TX 78154). Come tour our clinic and meet the team of professionals who provide our medical, dental and social services. Click here to register: http://www.mhm.org/events/416-school-based-open-house.

To schedule an appointment at one of our School Based Health Centers, contact:

School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary
217 West Otto Street
Marion, TX 78124
(830) 420-2291

School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary
757 Curtiss Ave.
Schertz, TX 78154
(210) 658-4875

We hope you will join us so that we may work together to help our youth stay happy and healthy!

Partnerships make for progress in the area of mental health

DW Admin on January 26, 2016

If there's one thing I've learned from my more than two decades of treating and addressing mental health issues, it's this: there is no greater power than the power of a strong partnership. This partnership I speak of takes shape in a multitude of ways. Partnering with our patients to be allies in health; partnering with a multidisciplinary team of providers to strengthen treatment plans; and partnering with the community to augment the health care landscape within in our area.

It is with this notion that I am so proud of one of Methodist Healthcare Ministries' latest partnerships. For those who do not know, Methodist Healthcare Ministries offers behavioral health services at our clinic locations in the San Antonio area (Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic; and School Based Health Centers), and through community and church sites throughout our 74-counties in South Texas as part of our Community Counseling program.

And, although, I know from our clients we are addressing a need, I also recognize there are demands we are not equipped to address. That's where that powerful word, "partnership," comes into play.

To fill a void our behavioral health services team recognized, Methodist Healthcare Ministries recently partnered with Family Service Association – a non-profit agency in San Antonio dedicated to helping children, seniors, and families in need – to house a full-time Financial and Vocational Counselor at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic to serve as an in-house point of referral for Methodist Healthcare Ministries' patients and clients.

The partnership model takes the patient's/client's social determinants of health into consideration as part of the treatment available through Methodist Healthcare Ministries' two San Antonio-based clinics. As poverty is one of the strongest risk factors for poor health, this partnership is designed to help low-income individuals improve their financial health and provide them with skills and education to prevent them from being in subsequent financial emergencies.

A counselor will work on an individual's budget and teach them how to pay off debt. The partnership will also allow for one-stop access to job training programs.

As this partnership continues, I hope to see a positive effect on our emergency assistance program. If we can find ways to empower people to take control of their health – both physical and financial – perhaps we will ease the burden or stress financial crisis creates for our patients and clients.

Ultimately, by pairing financial and vocational counseling with other social services, we are better able to overcome barriers that may affect one's mental and physical health like minimal educational attainment, insufficient job skills, ineffective support systems; lack of individual employability; and intergenerational cycles of poverty.

Parents Helping Parents expands to San Antonio

DW Admin on January 1, 2016

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. provides practical support through parenting programs to help parents and guardians learn parenting skills so they will be more confident and competent leaders within their families. As part of this initiative, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to announce a new Parents Helping Parents site located at Trinity United Methodist Church in San Antonio (6800 Wurzbach Rd.).

Launched in 1999, Parents Helping Parents is a parent support group designed to build stronger, healthier communities by strengthening and encouraging family life. As one of four distinct Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Parenting Programs (Meld; Parents Helping Parents; Parents as Teachers™ and the Nurturing Parenting Programs®), Parents Helping Parents is volunteer-based and built upon the belief that parents are the first teachers and best advocates for their children. Parents Helping Parents focuses on areas of health and safety, child development and guidance, family management, personal growth and other topics that promote positive parenting skills. Sites are established after a group recognizes a need in the community. Trinity United Methodist Church was identified as a Parents Helping Parents site at the request of Pastor Margret Decker who received assistance by Mickey McCandless, director of church connections for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Groups meet once a week for a two-hour session for a period of 10-12 weeks. Groups also select at least two volunteers, willing to be trained by Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Parenting Program Coordinators, to serve as facilitators.

Trinity United Methodist Church will become an active Parents Helping Parents site following facilitator training in January 2016. Groups are provided with ongoing technical assistance and a full program curriculum written by professionals in child development and family resources. Three courses are available both in English and Spanish: Teen Parents; Parents of Children 3 & Up; and Parents Raising Teens.

As the only Parents Helping Parents group in San Antonio, Trinity United Methodist Church aims to provide parenting support not only to moms, dads, grandparents and guardians of children in their surrounding community, but to anyone who is interested in wanting to learn more and share their experiences.

Currently, eight out of 14 Parents Helping Parents sites are active. The coming year looks to produce even more growth with new sites in Boerne, New Braunfels, Helotes, Eagle Pass and Pleasanton. With the collaboration of Wesley Nurses, program needs and volunteers will be identified, allowing Parents Helping Parents coordinators to build key relationships with community partners all over South Texas.

Parents Helping Parents is always looking to implement new groups in different service areas. If you'd like to learn more about Parents Helping Parents or would like to start a group in your area, please contact Methodist Healthcare Ministries at info@mhm.org or (210) 692-0234.

Smoke Free in Port Lavaca

DW Admin on January 1, 2016

Editor's Note: Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurses are known to provide health education and coordination of care in the communities where they serve across South Texas. What many folks may not know, is that they are also advocates for local health initiatives that impact communities far beyond the walls of the church where they serve.

Signy Sizer, a Wesley Nurse in Port Lavaca, recently had an opportunity to support the passage of a 'Smoke Free' ban in her community, and her experience is a testament to the diverse, and indispensable, part Wesley Nurses play in influencing population health.

We caught up with Signy to learn about the Smoke Free ban in Port Lavaca and the part she played in its passage.

Question: What was the initiative and how did you get involved?
In April, 2015, Port Lavaca City Council instituted a city ordinance to ban smoking in public places. This ban was lifted in August when registered voters petitioned to either have the ordinance repealed, or to call a special referendum. This is when my husband and I became involved, calling city council members, and encouraged friends to do the same, to let council know we supported the ordinance and did not want the issue dropped.

Question: How does this type of local policy issue fit into the work you do in the Wesley Nurse Program?
"Smoke Free Port Lavaca" is important to me personally as well as professionally. Secondhand smoke is serious concern for employees of businesses where smoking is allowed. Third-hand smoke extends exposure to families and can cause long term health risks. There are few employment opportunities in small towns, and, as we are well aware, employers of restaurants and bars do not typically offer health insurance. People most affected by second/third-hand smoke are MHM's target audience, those most vulnerable within our communities.

"Smoke Free" campaigns align perfectly with the Wesley Nurse role of assisting individuals and communities achieve improved health and wellness, as well as MHM's value of "Making a Difference."

Question: Who were some of the other players in this effort, and were there any challenges you faced?
I give my husband credit for spearheading this challenge. He enlisted friends who worked the "Smoke Free Victoria" campaign. With their help he connected with Blake Windham, Texas Grassroots Management of the American Cancer Society (ACS); Jay Arnold, Senior Director of Local Policy, American Heart Association; and Jim Arnold, Arnold Public Affairs. This group met with our small grassroots team weekly and they directed the campaign. Vicki Krcha, Wesley Nurse district manager, encouraged me to contact Chris Yanas, MHM's director of governmental affairs too. On behalf of MHM, Chris contacted local city officials. She followed our campaign progress, lending support and practical advice.

It was so interesting to work with the policy staff and to be a part of their strategy sessions. Their advice included: don't engage in 'Smoke Free' arguments—keep your focus on health, and keep the initiative low key; talk to people you know and encourage those who are in agreement to vote! So that's what we did.

We retrieved voting lists, posted signs and talked to individuals. The ACS provided funding for telephone polls and reminders to vote for those who were voiced agreement with "Smoke Free," as well as signage and mail-outs. Local physicians served as media spokespersons. ACS also posted a "Smoke Free Port Lavaca" Facebook page. Comments on the Facebook page were negative and the ACS staff warned us that they were very concerned about the election outcome.

Question: What was the outcome of the campaign and all your efforts?
The good news is Port Lavaca voters endorsed "Smoke Free Port Lavaca," 696 to 213 in the November 3rd election! This change can only improve the quality of life for citizens of Calhoun County.

I learned to: get help from people who have experience; talk to your friends, neighbors and acquaintances—you never know who will be your strongest ally. Be resourceful and stay positive!

MHM employees have a passion for total wellness for all. You just never know where this journey may lead you.