Q&A with Lisa O.

Question: What does a Community Health Worker do at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM)?

Answer: Community Health Workers (CHW) or Promotores de Salud wear many hats! CHWs are members of the community who are chosen by community members or organizations to provide basic health care to their community. At MHM, we work closely with the Wesley Nurse program. Our roles vary depending on the programming or community needs.

Question: What's your typical day look like?

Answer: During a typical day, I may help with organizing a health or resource fair and look for partners to promote an event. CHWs have the opportunity to educate and enroll our clients within the health insurance marketplace. More recently, we have partnered with EnrollSA to offer education sessions and enrollment assistance. Being a part of this coalition, has given us the opportunity to partner with other community agencies and health care organizations like Methodist Healthcare System, BiblioTech and libraries in San Antonio.

Question: What is the best part of your job?

Answer: As a CHW, I want to save the world, truly. My job gives me the belief that I can. The community and my team help me accomplish this through my daily tasks and assignments.

Question: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Answer: I enjoy watching a good movie, but not romance. I enjoy reading, but have a short attention span. Currently, I am reading The Wisdom of Whores a study on HIV/AIDS; Prince Lestat about a vampire; and Wuthering Heights. They are all totally different stories. And any day of the week, I am always up for karaoke!

Question: What do you love about living in Texas?

Answer: What I love most about Texas is that my family is here. Of course, I also love the hot weather and the beautiful wildflowers in the Spring. I'm glad that our state is so diverse and we have the music capitol of the world in our backyard. I enjoy our Texas beaches in the summer and long Hill Country drives with cicadas singing in the back ground. I can't leave out Selena and celebrating Fiesta for two weeks!

Interview with Brit P., Human Resources Manager at MHM and MHvsMS team member

Editor's note: We are thankful for Brit's candor as she shared some personal thoughts with us about her participation in the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River event as part of the MHvsMS team. She had some very helpful words of wisdom for new team members or riders who may be thinking about joining the team, "Just do it!"

Question: Why do you ride with MHvsMS?

Answer: I ride to support the people who battle Multiple Sclerosis (MS) every day.

It is my nature, I am always hungry for a new challenge. For years I had heard of the Bike MS event, but I wasn't brave enough to do it on my own. When I learned about the MHvsMS team, it was an exciting opportunity to join a bunch of crazy cyclists like myself wanting to better themselves, enjoy the outdoors and also be part of the wonderful camaraderie of the group. It has been so much fun getting to know new friends.

Question: How long have you been cycling?

Answer: I've been active all my life. As a teenager, I would ride frequently. Within the last ten years, I have become more serious about my health and improving my cardio. I've been cycling mostly in a controlled environment. I love indoor cycling classes! I resumed my outdoor cycling life about three years ago.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories from the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River?

Answer: The trainings, friendships, laughter, pains and fun we have make the event really memorable. Even day is exciting, but to me, it is the preview to the main event that makes it all worthwhile.

Question: Do you have any tips for new riders?

Answer: Just do it! Don't be afraid! You would be amazed at what your body can do. When riding those tough hills, your mind might be telling you, this can't be done," but if you leave all those negative thoughts behind you and just let your machine work, you will be surprised. In the end, you will be proud of yourself for achieving the highest levels of performance that you first thought you wouldn't be able to do.

Question: Do you have any additional comments?

Answer: Being part of the MHvsMS team is a win-win opportunity. Your fitness will improve, you will be raising funds for a worthwhile cause and you will meet new friends. What else can anyone ask for?

Learn more about the MHvsMS team or follow their progress on Facebook.

By Ann S., RN, Wesley Nurse, Mason

If it's been a while since you experienced life through the eyes of a child, then you are missing some of the best and most revitalizing medicine in the world. Seeing life as a child can renew you and remind you His teachings surround us all.

Teresa W., RN, Wesley Nurse in Mertzon, is my friend and teammate. She has a love for children and a love for God that is inspiring. When she told me about teaching children about His journey, using a dozen Easter eggs, my own love for the Easter story renewed. I just knew I wanted to share her story of those colorful Easter eggs. Not just any Easter eggs, but a set of 12 special eggs known as Resurrection Eggs.

Teresa explained that each egg holds a different symbol of Jesus' journey to the cross for you and me. As Teresa told the Easter story, she cracked open each egg. Beginning with a donkey in the first egg, Teresa walked with the children from Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, to Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, the Crucifixion on the cross to the resurrection and empty tomb, which was represented by an empty egg. As she held up each object, she read the correlating scripture that told the story.

Sometimes I can get caught up in the busyness of life and take lose sight of the remarkable events Jesus planned for me through His death and resurrection. Jesus understood the concept of seeing life through the eyes of children and speaks to it in Luke 18:16-17, "…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (NIV)

I admire children's ability to soak in knowledge so readily, and to see life's little miracles—even those as small as a colorful egg. Don't miss the big lessons hidden in seemingly small packages. My hope is for everyone to be reminded of the Easter story and what it teaches us about God's love.

Learn more about resurrection eggs at www.familylife.com.

Interview with Pete O., Technical Services Manager at MHM and MHvsMS team member

Editor's note: We recently had the opportunity to learn more from Pete O., a veteran MHvsMS team member, about his participation in the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River. The team rides in support of those who battle Multiple Sclerosis (MS). While we weren't surprised by Pete's giving spirit or positive attitude, it was inspiring to hear why Pete rides in his own words.

Question: Why do you ride with MHvsMS?

Answer: I previously played basketball, but age had a chat with me and said that was a bad idea. I still loved to exercise so I began running Triathlons, but running became an issue, which is when I began to focus on cycling. When I began working at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) a flyer for the team caught my eye. Since I already rode, I figured I should do it for a good cause.

Being part of the MHvsMS team is just fun! The team consists of a great group of people. Leading up to event day, we meet for training rides and the team provides each member with a MHvsMS uniform. On event day, we enjoy a tent full of goodies after the ride. Each year, it seems to get more fun. I look forward to it more and train harder. Being part of the MHvsMS team is very motivating—I get so much more out of the event than I put in!

Question: How long have you been cycling?

Answer: I've been cycling for eight years. This will be my fourth ride with the MHvsMS team.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories from the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River?

Answer: The people make up my favorite memories. There are people who cheer us on at the starting and finish lines. Many of these cheerleaders have MS. I'm happy to apply something I already enjoy doing into something that is hopefully beneficial for my fellow human beings. This dovetails right in with the mission at MHM. I am very fortunate and anytime I can give back, whether at work or in other venues, it is incredibly fulfilling.

Question: Do you have any tips for new riders?

Answer: Do not be intimidated by the distances. Cycling is something almost everyone can do and there is a distance for everyone. The team has numerous training rides throughout the year. Barry Blackman is our team captain, the driving force of the group. You will be sore when you start, but the sense of accomplishment you get from completing the ride is amazing. For more specific tips, just ask any of the team members who already participate. I would love to answer any questions. Feel free to contact me. I love talking (as everyone is aware who knows me) so I would love to help any way I can.

Question: Do you have any additional comments?

Answer: There are team members who have been impacted by MS, some of them in the most severe and challenging ways possible. The Bike MS event allows you to challenge yourself, both physically and mentally, and in the end come out a better person than when you started. At the same time, you get to contribute in a very meaningful way to a cause that will make a difference in other people's lives and help eliminate the hardships that some of our peers have had to endure. Hard to think of anything that is more powerful than this.

Learn more about the MHvsMS team or follow their progress on Facebook.

By Christine "Chris" Yanas, Director of Government Relations

Sometime before the end of June, the United States Supreme Court will be issuing a ruling in the King v. Burwell case that will decide whether financial assistance to consumers in the form of premium tax credits or subsidies will continue to be available in all states, or whether they will be eliminated from the approximately 36 states that offer insurance coverage through a federal health care marketplace, including Texas.

Should the Court decide to eliminate the premium tax credits for these states, the loss of the subsidies would be devastating to millions of families across the country that were able to secure affordable insurance coverage with the financial assistance of the federal government.

In Texas, as many as 1.4 million individuals, including thousands of children, could go uninsured if the Court rules against the government. Roughly 10 percent of Texas marketplace enrollees are children, meaning more than 100,000 Texas kids could be among those who lose coverage.

With the highest percentage of uninsured people in the country, Texas has the most to gain from the availability of affordable healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the most to lose if subsidies are taken away.

Infographic: Possible King v. Burwell Rulings

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.'s (MHM) mission is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. We support and advocate for federal and statewide efforts to secure affordable coverage for all Texans. We pray that our Supreme Court justices affirm the provisions and intent of the ACA to provide financial assistance to qualifying families regardless of whether the healthcare marketplace is run by the federal government or the states.

Sources: Health Affairs, June 2015; Texas Hospital Association, THA.org.

Interview with Maria H., Administrative Assistant at MHM and MHvsMS team member

Editor's note: Recently, we asked Maria H. to share some insights into what inspired her to ride with the MHvsMS team in Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River. We've seen Maria's dedication to the ride and passion for raising funds to support the cause, but through Maria's own words, we learned more. She is determined, faithful and very funny as she explains her passion to see an end to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Question: Why do you ride with MHvsMS?

Answer: I ride so I can spread the word about MS. I want to promote awareness of this disease and raise funds for a cure. My first MS experience was in 2009. I participated in the MS Walk and had the opportunity to meet the late Amy Dorsett. She was an inspiration! She taught me about perseverance and having a positive attitude no matter how sick you might be. Through the National MS Society, I volunteered at Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River in 2009 and 2010. The cyclists amazed me. Shortly after, I purchased a bike and began riding as recommended by my physical therapist.

Question: How long have you been cycling? When did you join the MHvsMS team?

Answer: I have been riding for nearly five years now and I have been a member of the MHvsMS team since 2012.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories from the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River?

Answer: One of my favorite memories was from my first ride in 2012. I remember trying to climb the last hill, just before the finish line. It is not very steep, but after riding for 50+ miles, it looks gigantic. A New Braunfels police officer was cheering on the riders and he kept yelling to me, "You can do it, stand on your bike and pedal!" This scenario made me think of Adam Sandler's movie Waterboy, "You can do it" and I just burst out laughing. I told the officer, "No, I can't." I got off my bike and walked the rest of the hill until I reached flat road again.

Question: Do you have any tips for new riders?

Answers: I recommend riding as much as you can, even if it is only 10, 20 or 50 miles. Our team captain, Mr. Barry, is very experienced too. He provides a lot of information for first time riders. He keeps the team informed of training rides, cancellations and anything else we may need to know. Oh, and have fun! That is most important.

Question: Do you have any additional comments?

Answer: Please join us or donate online! Consider what you can do to help people living with MS right now and protect those who may be diagnosed in the future. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Learn more about the MHvsMS team or follow Maria's progress on her participant page.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) joined local organizations in friendly-competition at the San Antonio Sports Corporate Cup presented by H-E-B on Saturday, May 30. MHM's inaugural year of participation was challenging, inspirational and, most of all, fun!

MHMer's competed in events, such as basketball, tug of war, corn toss, sack races and a 2K wellness walk. "It was fun witnessing the eagerness of everyone prior to the event and their excitement about competing. On event day, the competitive spirit of our team member's and their families was high," shared Regina Garcia, benefits administrator and corporate cup team co-captain at MHM.

MHM is no stranger to healthy living. In fact, MHM was recognized as a finalist for the San Antonio Business Journal's 2014 Healthiest Employer's Awards. "Now we know what to expect next year. We look forward to participating again and bringing a Corporate Cup trophy back to MHM," explained Alicia Rodriguez, human resources representative and corporate cup team co-captain at MHM.

By Rev. Mickey McCandless, Director of Church Connections & Spiritual Care

The Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church was created January 1, 2015 through the unification of the Rio Grande Annual Conference and the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. The newly formed Rio Texas Conference now encompasses 74 counties of South Texas and marks the geographic area served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM).

A church conference is the primary organizational unit of The United Methodist Church and has been the basic structure of the Methodist Episcopal Church since beginning in North America in 1784. A conference is equivalent to a diocese in the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches or presbytery in the Presbyterian Church. The Rio Texas Conference is one of 57 conferences in the U.S. and 79 additional in Africa, Europe and the Philippines and administratively guided by Bishop James Dorff.

The unification of the two conferences developed from two reports issued by a committee of The United Methodist Church's Council of Bishops. These two FACT (Financial Advisory Consulting Team) reports concluded that neither of the conferences was sustainable into the future. It did indicate that the Rio Grande Annual Conference had missional strength in the growing Hispanic population of South Texas and the Southwest Texas Annual Conference had financial strength for a sustained future. By unifying, the two conferences provide a powerful witness to the work of God for the people in South Texas.

MHM is striving to grow our impact on the population of South Texas for improved physical, mental and spiritual health. At the same time and in the same area of South Texas, the newly-formed Rio Texas Conference is striving to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." (The Rio Texas Unification Plan Uniting the Rio Texas Annual Conference & the Southwest Texas Annual Conference, February 8, 2014). Our journeys are joined today and into the future by a shared history and collaborative mission.

By Andy Hernandez, Community Development Manager

Health starts in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and churches. Health happens where we live, work, play and pray. It happens in the material and social conditions in which we live. These elements combined shape—for better or worse—our well-being and health outcomes.

Social Determinants of Health

How much money do we make? Do we have health insurance or not? What is our level of education? Do we live in a low-income or high-income neighborhood? How safe is our home and workplace? The answers to these questions help explain the health of a community by determining connectedness. These factors determine what opportunities we have to be healthy. This is generally referred to as the, "social determinants of health." They account for over 40 percent of all health outcomes, twice as much as access to medical care (20 percent). Social, environmental and economic factors contribute more heavily to the health and well-being of individuals than anything else.

Where We Live

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.'s (MHM) mission is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Overwhelmingly the underserved are the working poor. Simply put, poverty adversely affects your health as does being underemployed, undereducated and uninsured. If we want to create conditions that nurture healthy people, we have to change the social and material conditions that make people and communities unhealthy. This means helping those in need gain access to health care services, obtaining insurance coverage through the health insurance marketplace, help raise education and income levels, and help make their communities safer. Ultimately, it means helping people lift themselves out of poverty.

Healthy Communities

Community engagement and development strategies found in asset-based community development initiatives, youth sports leagues, family-strengthening programs, strengths-based nursing practices, and "upstream" clinical care protocols are linked to improving the social determinants of health. To create healthy environments, you have to develop healthy communities. We all play a part in this process. We are where health happens. We have the power to collectively impact the conditions of our community. My team, the MHM family, does this everyday. How do you play a part in improving the health of your community?

By Dominica Garza, Communications Manager

Language is something many of us take for granted – the ability to communicate with others, to read, to write. Communication helps us to create shared meaning between two or more parties. But, what happens when there are barriers to communication like the inability to read or to understand the native language of the country in which you reside, or much worse, what if you cannot speak the language?

A PBS special titled, "Do you speak American? Texas English," asserts that English is, historically, the second language of the state. Even setting aside the languages of Native Americans in the area, Spanish was spoken in Texas for nearly a century before English was. According to the Modern Language Association's Language Map Data Center, more than 90 languages are spoken in Texas. Of that, English is spoken by 65.80 percent of people over five years old in Texas, while languages other than English are spoken by 34.20 percent.

This diversity makes it especially difficult to provide education, and diagnose and treat health conditions. Language differences can be a huge barrier in providing effective healthcare.

Diabetes, obesity and mental illness – some of the more prevalent conditions faced by Texans – don't discriminate based on language. Because of this, it's important for healthcare providers to acknowledge the importance of language when interacting with their patients or clients. At Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM), we understand the vast landscape of spoken language in South Texas. To help our healthcare providers and team members performing outreach, we contracted with LanguageLine Solutions® to provide us with access to their over-the-phone operating system. The system provides team members with access to a LanguageLine interpreter to listen to a patient or client, analyze their message and accurately convey its original meaning to the MHM staff person.

It's been a great tool to help remove language barriers and address health concerns. Many patients or clients who seek our help are already in distress. They sometimes fear hospitals and clinics because they do not have the means to afford treatment or they are coming to us as a last resort and are in dire need of assistance. In this state of heightened distress, we want to eliminate obstacles that slow down or hinder our ability to provide care or treatment. LanguageLine is a resource to help us provide care in the communities in which we serve.

by George Thomas, Chief Operating Officer

The Wesley Theological Seminary, a teaching seminary and service-oriented community located in Washington, DC, has identified a variety of health ministry models to include:

1. Congregational Health & Wellness Ministry – Health ministry seeks to find common ground among other congregational ministries, such as social justice, religious education, volunteer visitors, hospitality and youth ministries.
2. Health Ministers – Health ministers are healthcare professionals, barbers, stay-at-home parents and lawyers to accountants. They can take be health navigators, wellness coaches, outreach workers, health educators, and health ambassadors, promoters de salud and health promoters.
3. Faith Community Nursing – The American Nurses Association, working with the Health Ministries Association, approved a new registered nurse certification program for Faith Community Nurses. Faith Community Nursing, formerly known as parish nursing, is a process for active licensed registered nurses to obtain a specialty practice certification by portfolio beginning in 2014. Some of the key roles of a faith community nurse may include health education, health counseling, referrals, health ministry team coordinator and volunteer coordination.
4. Hospital/Primary Care Based Congregational Networks – With the Affordable Care Act healthcare legislation emphasizing population-based care and improved health care continuity for patients, the health minister and faith community nurse roles shows promise. From a hospital's and primary care provider's perspective, these roles are valuable in that they provide linkages and connections into the community, especially faith communities.
5. Community Based Congregational Networks – Health ministry teams from different places of worship often join together in local or regional networks to share resources and support each other through regular meetings.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM), we have adopted a Faith Community Nursing approach to health ministry. This model is carried out through our Wesley Nurse Program, which was established in 1997 and has grown to serve 80 sites throughout South Texas making it MHM's largest geographic outreach program. All Wesley Nurses are Registered Nurses – an aspect unique to MHM. Currently, all Wesley Nurses are in the process of becoming certified in Faith Community Nursing. The certification is awarded through the American Nurses Credentialing Center in partnership with the Health Ministries Association.

From a primary care perspective, Wesley Nurses are an invaluable link in the healthcare delivery continuum. They connect people, congregations and community to health and wellness. They motivate others to action while remaining grounded in faith. We could not operate successfully without this important ministry.

By George Thomas, Chief Operating Officer

The American Medical Association describes clinical integration as:

"The means to facilitate the coordination of patient care across conditions, providers, settings, and time in order to achieve care that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-focused." Similarly, one of the principle mandates of the Affordable Care Act is to encourage or promote methodologies for reducing costs, increasing efficiency and enhancing the quality of care."

My interpretation of clinical integration and this mandate is that healthcare providers need to find innovative ways to provide a higher quality of care. Far too often, the news is blanketed with stories of malpractice, mismanagement, or – far worse – news of tragedy that could have been prevented.

While Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.'s clinics (Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic; and School Based Health Centers in Schertz and Marion) are not accredited by The Joint Commission – a leader in accrediting and certifying health care organizations in the United States – we do abide by a very strict and well-formulated set of standards in order to provide high quality care to low-income families in South Texas.

The American Medical Association understands the value of clinical integration, and the Affordable Care Act specifically addresses the need for improvements in the delivery of care. We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, too, must look at ways to improve our operations.

It reminds me of the 'pot roast story' many of us have heard: One day after school a young girl noticed that her mom was cutting off the ends of a pot roast before putting it in the oven to cook for dinner. She had seen her mom do this many times before but had never asked her why. So this time she asked and her mom replied, "I don't know why I cut the ends off, but it's what my mom always did." So the young girl called her grandmother on the phone and asked, "Grandma why do you cut the ends off the pot roast before cooking it?" Her grandmother replied, "I don't know. That's just the way my mom always cooked it." Undeterred, the girl called her great grandmother and asked her the same question – why did you cut the ends off the pot roast before cooking it? She said, "When I was first married we had a very small oven, and the pot roast didn't fit in the oven unless I cut the ends off."

I hold this story very close to me. I want to always question our practices: Are we being good stewards of our resources? Are we looking for innovations to improve our operations? Do we have a safe environment for our patients? Are we providing quality care?

Far too often, health care providers practice in silos. They lack meaningful connections and their information exchanges with other health care entities or providers is limited. Without coordination, patients are more likely to receive duplicative diagnostic tests, have adverse prescription drug interactions and get conflicting care plans.

Clinical integration is a continuous process of alignment across the care continuum that supports the Triple Aim of health care: Improving quality of care; reducing or controlling the cost of care; and improving access to care and the overall patient experience.

Knowing that this is a continuous process, I am going to continuously ask questions, measure outcomes and look for improvements because I believe our patients' well-being is of the utmost importance.