Blog – Page 16 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Why a localized approach matters

DW Admin on June 21, 2016

By Sandy Doughton, grant development manager

If your doctor only had one number they could choose from to best predict your health what would it be? Would it be your HbA1c level, cholesterol, weight, or complete blood count? What if we could rule out all medical tests, then what would this number be? As it turns out, your zip code number, or where you live, is the greatest predictor of how long you'll live.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed income data and mortality rates for the U.S. population using federal income tax records and Social Security records for every individual from 1999 through 2014. The study titled "The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States" found that the richest American men live 15 years longer than the poorest men while the richest American women outlive the poorest women by 10 years.

Not only does the income gap play a role in longevity, but also this research lifts up the significant role that geography plays in predicting one's lifespan. The study revealed that people who live in poverty have even shorter lives in places that lack resources. For example, low-income Americans who live in San Francisco are predicted to live three years longer than someone with the same income in Detroit. Why? Comparing the two cities, San Francisco is far more environmentally friendly; it is surrounded by parks, less air pollution, strong smoking bans as well having more affluence and higher education than Detroit.

Where we live matters. Our zip code determines where we have access to opportunity structures: access to quality schools, role models, transportation, environmental quality, healthy foods and more. We know from the Social Determinants of Health, that 50 percent of what makes us healthy boils down to social and economic factors and the physical environment.

Many of the communities Methodist Healthcare Ministries serves in our 74-county service area, especially the rural areas, are under-resourced and shoulder significant health disparities. This same study found that Nueces County, home of Corpus Christi, has one of the lowest life expectancy outcomes for the poor. In Nueces County, the life expectancy for low-income residents is 76.6 years – nine years less than someone who is rich in the same county. Another way to put this in perspective, the New York Times called this gap in Nueces County "roughly equivalent to the difference in life expectancy between an average man in the United States and one in Somalia."

The role of geography is central to Methodist Healthcare Ministries' localized efforts. From health services, community engagement, philanthropic investments, spiritual connections and community education, this study amplifies the importance of place-based initiatives. For example, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is hard at work in the Coastal Bend region – building relationships, meeting with staff and partners, attending coalition meetings, and gathering information to better understand health care issues facing the community. Our team is listening for the differences and similarities across the region, from rural communities like Premont and Palacios to the urban area of Corpus Christi.

As we do this work, our team is learning more about existing collaborative efforts such as the First Thursday Community Meeting in Taft and the Homeless Issues Partnership in Corpus Christi. We are also exploring the potential of new collaborative opportunities. Let this study remind us all of the critical importance of closing the gap on health disparities in under-resourced areas. Through collaboration and the hard work of caring servants, together we can – and will – make our communities healthier.

Read more about the study in The New York Times article, "The Rich Live Longer Everywhere. For the Poor, Geography Matters." The article includes an interactive feature where you can explore the life expectancy in different counties throughout the U.S.

Sandy Doughton is the Grant Development Manager for Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Community Engagement team. One of the team's projects is providing technical assistance to community partners in Methodist Healthcare Ministries' service regions, ranging from grant-writing, vetting grant opportunities, supporting collaborative funding initiatives and sharing information about development resources.

Case studies in diabetes management

DW Admin on June 8, 2016

By Anne N. Connor, director of community grants

In 2015, two Methodist Healthcare Ministries funded partners, the Gateway Community Health Center in Laredo and the Texas A&M Health Science Center – Coastal Bend Health Education Center, did remarkably well at controlling HbA1c levels in diabetic patients.

The term HbA1c refers to glycated haemoglobin. It develops when haemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body, joins with glucose in the blood, becoming 'glycated.' By measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), clinicians are able to get an overall picture of what our average blood sugar levels have been over a period of weeks/months. For people with diabetes, this is important, since the higher the HbA1c the greater the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.

Both partners did well at controlling HbA1c in their adult diabetic patients. The rate of uncontrolled HbA1c in Gateway patients was 7%, and the Coastal Bend Health Education Center had a rate of 16.7 %, both better than the Medicaid 90th percentile.

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When asked what made them successful, both organizations attributed it to the following components:

	Gateway Community Health Center: Leveraging long-term relationships	Coastal Bend Health Education: Consistency and support
Integration	Diabetes programs were integrated into medical practice.	A multi-disciplinary diabetes education care team for diabetics included: a physician medical director, registered nurses, certified diabetes educator, registered dietitians and community health workers.
Supportive Intervention	Nutritional assessment and counseling: a 10-week diabetes self-management course included weekly outreach by phone to answer questions, and provided support and reminders. Bi-weekly support sessions provided group problem-solving and a buddy system.	A consistent patient-focused approach promoted lifestyle changes, diabetes self-management and social support. This included regular diabetes self-management education classes in English and Spanish, as well as monthly support groups and refresher trainings based on patient needs (i.e. glucometer training). Additionally, a three-part nutritional education course covered topics from food shopping to cooking to eating out.
Trusted Relationships	The community health workers that worked with patients and conducted the diabetes self-management courses had been with Gateway for over 10 years. This experience allowed staff to develop a rapport with patients and anticipate their needs.	Community health workers were integrated into the community and facilitated patient access to support services. They followed up on patient progress and made home visits when the patients were identified as high risk with cultural and linguistic barriers. Community health workers enhanced the quality and cultural competence of program service delivery by serving as advocates.
Clinical Knowledge	Careful, systematic monitoring of HbA1c at regular intervals helped move diabetics through different levels of support based on test results.	All diabetic patients received a follow-up appointment every three months that monitored the progress of their treatment plan. Biometrics were obtained (HbA1c, blood pressure, random blood glucose, weight, BMI and percent of body fat) so patients could see changes in their health. This monitoring also allowed patients with urgent needs (such as a very high HbA1c) to be referred to medical providers for one-on-one crisis care.
Patient Convenience	A one-stop shop model made it convenient for patients to access wrap-around services. Diabetic testing supplies were also provided year-round at low cost.	Diabetes self-management education classes were offered in the day and in the evening at convenient locations around the region.

A Beautiful Mind art event raises awareness for mental health

DW Admin on May 13, 2016

On May 7, during National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. teamed up with longtime funded partners the Bexar County Health Collaborative and the San Antonio Clubhouse for a mental health focused art event, A Beautiful Mind.

The unique art experience combined expressive art, discussion, and testimonies to facilitate a dialogue on mental health realities and stigma in Bexar County.

Artists of various backgrounds exhibited work that interpreted what it's like living with mental health struggles – to bridge the gap and create a connection with audience members. High school students from the Henry Ford Academy Alameda School for Art + Design also supported by participating as contributing artists. More than 120 people were in attendance, all encouraged to take action by getting involved and raising awareness.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries President & CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty sat down with Focus South Texas to speak about A Beautiful Mind and mental health awareness.

The event was the idea of high school senior Jazymn Frederick, a student at the Henry Ford Academy. Frederick teamed up with the Bexar County Health Collaborative in an effort to create an avenue to talk openly about mental health. "Art is a way to clear my mind," said Frederick, who fought with depression and anxiety.

Jazmyn Frederick expresses how art is a form of healing.

The Bexar County Health Collaborative – an organization focused on improving the health status of the community through collaborative means – took the lead on this event because of the connection with its Young Minds Matter program, which focuses on advocating, educating, and reducing stigma on youth mental health issues. A Beautiful Mind was held at the Crossroads Campus of the San Antonio Clubhouse – a local non-profit dedicated to providing individuals with mental health struggles the opportunity to live, work, and learn as an included member of society in a stigma free environment.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to support both organizations: the Bexar County Health Collaborative, which became a funded partner in 2007 and has since been awarded more than $790,000; and the San Antonio Clubhouse, partner since 2005 and awarded more than $2 million since then to aid in its efforts.

One out of every five people lives with a form of mental illness. Methodist Healthcare Ministries, in support of this critical issue, has invested approximately $8,500 in integrated behavioral health and social services in 2016. In addition, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has contributed $500,000 annually since 2001 to the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute – a non-profit that supports the implementation of policies and programs that help Texans obtain effective, efficient mental health care, and an organization of which Methodist Healthcare Ministries President & CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty, is a founding board member.

Seventy percent of the proceeds of A Beautiful Mind went to the Young Minds Matter program. If you missed the event, there is still a chance to support Mental Health Awareness Month in May and purchase the art online at https://squareup.com/store/healthcollaborative/. Purchases will help further the mission of the Young Minds Matter project and the artists that dedicated their time and talent to A Beautiful Mind.

A few words from your Wesley Nurse: Sun Safety

DW Admin on May 5, 2016

By Rhonda Hunnicutt, RN, Wesley Nurse

We always need sunscreen! According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, daily use of sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 (but higher is better) reduces the risk of skin cancers by as much as 40-50 percent. Again, some of my favorite nursing words to pass along … prevention and avoidance.

The damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is cumulative and can occur whenever our skin is exposed to damaging rays. Most of us are at an age where the sun damage that occurred to our skin previously now has the risk of manifesting as some type of skin cancer. Even people with darker pigmentation can still develop skin cancers. Though I try to avoid being in the sun without protection like the plague, in my younger days I would ride horses or play outside all day, and of course, my fair skin would burn.

I have been lucky that I've only had a basal cell carcinoma (cancer). Sadly I've known friends and family members who have battled the skin cancer melanoma – some successfully, and some not. A family friend of mine was diagnosed with melanoma, and by the grace of God, she is still with us today. My grandmother had melanoma that spread, and she eventually lost her battle with cancer.

When I worked with an oncologist, we had a patient who was an avid tanning bed enthusiast. She had melanoma and was undergoing radiation/chemotherapy but amazingly did not plan to stop tanning. Now some might cringe a bit, but I want to educate as many as I can on the dangers of UV damage … avoid tanning beds! Or as some refer to them, 'tanning coffins.' It is not a theory; it's been proven that tanning beds increase your risk of cancer. Each year, over 400,000 new cases of skin cancer are linked to indoor tanning. The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.

Recently, there has been some backlash or criticism on using self-tanners. Though I haven't found any research to substantiate the claims, I did find some interesting information. There is a 'sun-tanning' pill on the market containing a chemical compound called 'canthaxanthin' that can contribute to liver damage and is not approved by the FDA. Also, suntan mists can be unsafe and can be inhaled if precautions are not followed. The most common self-tanners contain an FDA-approved chemical called dihydroxyacetone, which reacts with cells on the skin's surface to create the illusion of a suntan. Some contain sunscreen but only last a limited time – two to three hours usually. Bottom line – tanning in the sun or using self-tanner does not provide sun protection so always use sunscreen.

Please visit www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts to learn about skin cancer, tanning, UV radiation, and more.

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.

Remembering our smallest citizens during Child Abuse Prevention Month

DW Admin on April 25, 2016

On April 5, a cadre of advocates, elected officials, health care providers and volunteers came together to plant nearly 5,000 blue pinwheels on the rolling green lawn at Methodist Healthcare Ministries' corporate headquarters in San Antonio in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The memorial preceded an assembly which brought together leaders and decision-makers in San Antonio to discuss how to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community. As I listened to the speakers talk about the 4,941 confirmed victims of child abuse in Bexar County last year, my eyes were drawn to the blue and silver pinwheels, glittering under the sun and spinning thanks to the breeze blowing that morning. Standing among the sea of pinwheels conjured memories of my high school graduation. There were 705 students in my graduating class. I thought about the class photo we took that day, and how I had never seen so many people in one place; it was a tidal wave of caps and gowns. But standing before all the pinwheels now made all the faces in the photo seem like drops in a bucket. I would have to multiply the number of students graduating with me seven times to equal the number of confirmed child abuse victims in just Bexar County alone last year. What's worse, is those are just the confirmed cases of abuse, the number is likely much higher when the number of cases that are not reported is factored in.

Since 2007, Bexar County has been one of five counties in Texas with the highest number of confirmed victims of abuse. In fact, in the years 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012 Bexar County held the top spot for the number of confirmed victims of abuse as reported by the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, beating out Harris County where the child population is at least double that of Bexar County.

To say child abuse is a problem in our community is a gross understatement. However, the number of confirmed victims in Bexar County has steadily declined in the last four years, in large part due to a concerted community effort to prevent and stop the cycle of child abuse.

Organizations like ChildSafe have done an incredible service to the community by raising awareness and creating a sense of urgency for advocacy through its Cardboard Kids initiative. And, agencies like Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. strive to break the cycle of violence and strengthen families. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to support both these organizations with funding to sustain their programs and services. In fact, this year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries will invest nearly $10 million in mental and behavioral health programs that offer children, youth and adults access to counseling and other support services.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries also operates programs designed to help parents and guardians become more confident and competent leaders within their families. Last year, the organization served more than 30,000 individuals in its Parenting Programs. Many of the programs' participants self-report having been involved with Child Protective Services. In fact, over 66 percent of the parents who have graduated from Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Nurturing Parenting Program® are in high need or "in crisis" as they are enrolled in the program by way of Child Protective Services referral, incarcerated and about to re-integrate with their families, and/or receiving mental health substance abuse treatment. These numbers speak only for the participants in programming offered by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, they do not include the individuals served through agencies that have received community grants for programs and services they operate. But, these numbers speak to the continued need for parenting support which is a key element in preventing child abuse.

As National Child Abuse Prevention month draws to an end and one-by-one we take up the pinwheels planted as a memorial to the abused children in our community, we at Methodist Healthcare Ministries remain committed to do all the good we can for all the families who rely on the programs and services we provide and support to keep them safe and healthy. And, to continue raising awareness in our community so our smallest and most vulnerable members are protected from harm.

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.

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.