Last Thursday, the MHM Public Relations department presented the first in a four-part learning series focused on social media and social networking. Web 2.0: An Overview of Social Media & Social Networking Platforms, provided team members with an outline of the current climate of social media with an emphasis on Blogs, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

As MHM ventures into new territory with the creation of a Facebook page, YouTube channel and Blog, tied in with the launch of a newly designed, social-friendly website, the Public Relations department thought it fitting to allow team members the opportunity to become better acquainted with the various channels MHM uses to communicate and share its mission.

The presentation was designed with the goal of empowering new media users by giving them the knowledge necessary to confidently navigate through the ever changing and growing world of social media. During the course of the presentation, attendees were given an inside look at the more popular social media and social networking sites in an open and interactive setting.

Were you able to attend this session? Please share your insights. Still have questions? Share them here (by adding a comment) or contact Dominica Garza at dgarza@mhm.org or 210.253.3220.

Last Friday, new MHM team members had the privilege of meeting with members of the executive management team as part of their team member orientation. Attendees enjoyed an opening Invocation by Reverend Mickey McCandless, director of church connections and spiritual care before being officially welcomed by MHM president and CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty. Individuals new to the MHM family were reminded of our faithful commitment to MHM's mission of serving the least served by ministering to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in our care.

Newcomers to the organization delighted in the opportunity to receive an organizational overview direct from Executive Directors' Pilar Oates and Joe Babb. As orientation continued, new team members were introduced to the mission, vision and core values of MHM. Additionally, attendees received a proper introduction to the many programs and services available to the clients served by MHM. This occasion provided team members with the background necessary to successfully fulfill the critical responsibilities of their respective positions.

As part of his closing remarks, Mr. Moriarty shared with the newly initiated team members his goal of creating a desire for excellence for the essential role they play in serving the community. As the orientation commenced, new team members exited with a refreshed sense of encouragement and the drive to help navigate them through the start of a new, fulfilling career at MHM.

by Beth Ann Scarth, RN
Wesley Nurse, Mason, Texas

Mason, Texas…It's a happening place. We have hunting, an annual donkey race and the national gem of Texas, the topaz. Now we offer something new: it's called the Virtual Dementia Tour or VDT.

Second Wind Dreams developed this tour and is committed to change the perception of aging.

P.K. Beville is the creator of VDT and believes that "the greatest form of respect we can give is to walk in someone else's shoes."  VDT is a scientifically proven method of simulating a state of dementia that was designed to build sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia.

Previously, I worked as a home health nurse and I thought dementia was more about forgetfulness than anything else. After personally taking this tour, I could see how wrong I was and that dementia is a physical, as well as, mental challenge. Dementia is a general term that can only describe a group of symptoms.  I can't fully know what it is like to have dementia, but this tour gave me a true window into the condition and I want to promote a deeper awareness in my own community by sharing this experience with others who care for those suffering from dementia.

Check out the actual video of Dr. Jim Sears experiencing the tour and his comments on www.secondwind.org the official website for Second Wind Dreams.

by Rev. Mickey T. McCandless
Director, Church Connections and Spiritual Care

O Creator and mighty God,

You have promised strength for the weak,

Rest for the laborers, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

O creator and mighty God,

Help us to continue in your promise. Amen.

Do you have a prayer need for yourself or others?
You may send it to Rev. Mickey McCandless
I will pray for your request and, unless asked not to,
I will share it with the rest of the community.

Outreach continued today as the Team Member Appreciation Committee (TMAC) gathered at the MHM Corporate Office as part of ongoing recruitment efforts for 2012. The theme this time around? Team Spirit! What better way to embrace your team spirit by sporting your favorite athletic team gear? The Corporate Office was sprinkled with team jerseys, polos and accessories. MHMers gathered over popcorn, pickles and concession treats all while learning more about TMAC involvement opportunities.

This visit also marks the next installment in the TMAC Trivia Challenge series. The TMAC Trivia Challenge offers team members the opportunity to learn more about MHM and the important role TMAC plays within the organization. For the remainder of the year TMAC members will visit various MHM facilities to personally issue the TMAC Trivia Challenge question. On-site team members will have first exposure to the question, however the challenge is open to all MHM team members.

We hope this is a fun and exciting way to test your MHM knowledge while discovering fun facts about the organization. As a committee, TMAC works hard to ensure team members are satisfied with life at MHM. We look forward to hearing your answers!

The next question in the TMAC Trivia Challenge series is: 

What is the name of the photographer of the
Children of Children, Portraits and Stories of
Teenage Parents, multimedia exhibit? 

Please submit your answer to the TMAC Trivia Challenge question by utilizing the commenting feature following this post. Answers can also be submitted to the MHM official Facebook page in the form of a wall post at http://www.facebook.com/mhmstx.

Submissions for answers will close five business days after posting date. Therefore, the last day to submit answers to this question is Thursday, August 18, 2011!

For more information about TMAC, please contact our Membership Coordinator, Melanie Garcia or Co-Chair, Trisha Alonzo. 

RULES

Team members will have up to five business days after the question of the month is announced to submit their answer. After five business days, all correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a prize. The winner will be notified by a TMAC representative.

• Open to MHM team members only.
• One winner per question.
• Entries for submission will close 5 business days after TMAC Trivia Question is announced.
• Answers will be accepted through the MHM Blog or the official MHM Facebook page only.
• Emails or verbal entries do not qualify for submission.

Thank you to all that participated in the latest installment of the TMAC Trivia Challenge. The last question in the series asked:  

Health services are provided by MHM through School Based Health Centers. 
Where are these two School Based Health Centers located?
(name the elementary schools)

The two School Based Health Centers operated at Krueger Elementary School (217 West Otto Street, Marion, TX 78124) and Schertz Elementary School (757 Curtiss, Schertz, TX 78154) provide primary medical care, dental care and counseling to school-age children who attend the Marion ISD or Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD and their siblings up to the age of 21.

Congratulations to Marla Fisher for being selected as the winner of this installment of the TMAC Trivia Challenge. As winner, Marla was awarded with a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A on behalf of TMAC.

Thank you Marla for playing!

We look forward to announcing the next winner soon.

Back-to-School time isn’t just for the kiddos. As you prepare your children for the beginning of a new school year with their immunizations, schools supplies and a fresh set of clothing don’t forget about furthering your own educational goals.

MHM is committed to your career and professional development and has designed the MHM Education Reimbursement program with you in mind. The MHM Education Reimbursement program is dedicated to helping you achieve your educational objectives.

MHMers like Christina Raya, dental assistant, and Blanca Arguello, WNHM regional manager, have already successfully participated in the program.

How It Works

In order to receive education reimbursement benefits, team members must be deemed eligible to participate in the program at the time of reimbursement processing and follow the steps outlined below.

1. Discuss your self-development plans with your manager prior to course registration/enrollment to ensure your course and institution choices meet all of the eligibility requirements.

2. Your manager will submit these plans to your department Director for final approval. Failure to secure final approval prior to submitting a reimbursement request may result in denial of reimbursement.

3. Document your director-approved education plan in SuccessFactors under “My Profile.”

4. Select an approved educational institution and approved course/degree program.

5. Enroll in the educational institution of choice. You are responsible for applying and registering directly with the educational institution, adhering to its procedures, policies, and deadlines.

6. Keep track of your semester educational expenses. You are responsible for ensuring that all itemized receipts for appropriate expenses are correct. Save your registration confirmation for submission with reimbursement request.

7. Within 60 days of course completion, submit your reimbursement request with itemized receipts, registrar’s records, and final grades. You may submit for every semester. There is a maximum benefit of $1,200 per semester and your reimbursement will not exceed $3,600 per year. Semesters do not have to be consecutive.

8. Your reimbursement will be processed through payroll following your reimbursement request submission.

As you set forth reaching your educational aspirations, remember the MHM Education Reimbursement program is here to help. Please submit your Education Reimbursement Application now for the Fall 2011 semester. 

For more details, contact Maggie Vasquez by telephone at (210) 385-0297 or via email at mvasquez@mhm.org.

Lauri Revilla,
Parenting Programs Coordinator,
Meld Plus

Lauri Revilla was presented with the Excellence in Action button for the compassion and sensitivity she offered to a Parenting Program volunteer.

Lauri took the initiative to engage the volunteer as she was struggling with a personal and tragic loss. Lauri was the first person to reach out to the volunteer and has provided much-needed support though a very difficult time.

We are proud of Lauri and applaud her for personifying our core values. Please join us in congratulating her on earning this recognition!

Congratulations Lauri!

Have you seen Excellence in Action?

Tell your collegues you appreciate them by passing along this gift and sharing their story. Photos and stories can be submitted via email, the MHM Blog or Facebook page!

The summer celebration continued today as the Team Member Appreciation Committee (TMAC) met with team members at the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr. Clinic as part of the ongoing recruitment efforts for 2012.

This visit also marks the next installment in theTMAC Trivia Challenge series. The TMAC Trivia Challenge offers team members the opportunity to learn more about Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the important role TMAC plays within the organization. For the remainder of the year TMAC members will visit various MHM facilities to personally issue the TMAC Trivia Challenge question. On-site team members will have first exposure to the question, however the challenge is open to all MHM team members.

We hope this is a fun and exciting way to test your MHM knowledge while discovering fun facts about the organization. As a committee, TMAC works hard to ensure team members are satisfied with life at MHM. We look forward to hearing your answers!

Without further delay, the next question of the TMAC Trivia Challenge is: 

What are the five core values defined by
Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ team members?

Please submit your answer to the TMAC Trivia Challenge question by utilizing the commenting feature following this post. Answers can also be submitted to the MHM official Facebook page in the form of a wall post at http://www.facebook.com/mhmstx.

Submissions for answers will close five business days after posting date. Therefore, the last day to submit answers to this question is Friday, August 5, 2011!

For more information about the MHM TMAC Trivia Challenge or TMAC in general, please contact our Membership Coordinator, Melanie Garcia or Current Chair, Lisa Rodriguez. 

RULES

Team members will have up to five business days after the question of the month is announced to submit their answer. After five business days, all correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a prize. The winner will be notified by a TMAC representative.

• Open to MHM team members only.
• One winner per question.
• Entries for submission will close 5 business days after TMAC Trivia Question is announced.
• Answers will be accepted through the MHM Blog or the official MHM Facebook page only.
• Emails or verbal entries do not qualify for submission.

by Rev. Mickey T. McCandless
Director, Church Connections and Spiritual Care

Stories are the threads that woven together reveal the fabric of life to others and to ourselves.  Stories allow us to know the difference we make in the world around us. Stories allow us to point beyond information to feelings of grace, sadness, joy, anger, confusion, gratitude, and amazement. Stories invite us into the world that is more than we can fully describe but we often experience. Our stories also point toward the vision we live of making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Remember a time you saw a difference that was made in the life of another person out of the work you do. Share that story with me and with at least one other person. When you remember and share your stories of making a difference you celebrate your call to vocation, you celebrate the ministry MHM does through you, and you celebrate the power God invests in the world through you.

You make a difference in the lives of people. Share a story of that difference you make.

Do you have a prayer need for yourself or others?
You may send it to Rev. Mickey McCandless.
I will pray for your request and, unless asked not to,
I will share it with the rest of the community.