The Heart Network: Fiesta Del Corazón brings resources together for community

February is American Heart Month, and in honor of the commemorative occasion the Wesley Health & Wellness Center will host a Fiesta Del Corazón, a free heart health fair that brings organizations, resources and experts together. The event is held annually and is open to the public. Vendors and volunteers transform the gymnasium into a hub of valuable information and interactive demonstrations. There are fun group exercises which aim to reduce stress and promote mobility. A pop-up produce market is set up inside a nearby classroom, which provides a healthy array of colorful fruits and vegetables to the public. The heart health fair is engaging and educational and in the event of a cardiac emergency, the skills people learn can be lifesaving.  

A cardiac arrest can happen at any time and any place. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year. Every minute is critical and if lifesaving tactics aren’t immediately administered, the chances of survival are lowered. In these situations, a quick call to action can be all the difference. Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. (MHM) along with Methodist Healthcare, the American Heart Association, and AugustHeart collaborate to provide people with lifelong knowledge during Fiesta Del Corazón.  

Cardiac emergencies have the potential to affect every member of the household. At least 70% of cardiac arrests happen inside of the home, which underscores the importance of how and when to administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).1 CPR increases survival chances after a cardiac arrest occurs because it keeps the blood flow active. Administering CPR also extends the opportunity for a successful resuscitation once trained medical staff arrive at the location.2 Hands-only CPR training is offered during the heart health fair, a technique that is commonly used when a bystander witnesses a person collapse out of the hospital. Families learn first-hand how to administer CPR using resuscitation mannikins. Trained experts stand by to answer questions and properly demonstrate the lifesaving procedure. 

Heart health is important for people at all ages, but underlying heart abnormalities can often go undetected in teenagers. High school athletes who experience a higher level of exertion and stress on the heart run a greater risk of a cardiac emergency. However, physical exams do not provide enough information to detect heart abnormalities.3 AugustHeart is nonprofit organization in San Antonio that provides free heart screenings during the heart health fair. Teenagers between 13 and 18 years of age are screened using a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) which reads the heartbeat, and if necessary, a limited echocardiogram (ECHO) is performed to capture an image of the heart. Since 2011, AugustHeart has screened close to 90,000 teens for heart abnormalities and potentially saved over 400 lives.  

Diet and lifestyle are detrimental to heart health, but nutritious options are not always readily available. A 2022 study showed communities with easy access to grocery stores and healthy food experience lower heart failure death rates. However, the study also showed communities with fewer grocery stores and limited access to healthy food had higher heart failure death rates.4 River City Produce provides a nutritious produce market during the heart health fair. Families pick from a variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporate these fresh ingredients into their meals. Each year, the produce market draws big crowds who wish to take advantage of the healthy options presented to them.  

As we enter American Heart Month, it is important to reflect on the choices we have made in relation to our own hearts. Cardiac emergencies can happen at any time, however, there are steps we can take to sharpen our abilities. Although Fiesta Del Corazón is a family centered event, it also provides a unique network of resources in the community. The activities that take place highlight the power and decision each person has over their health. MHM is proud to partner with Methodist Healthcare, the American Heart Association, and AugustHeart to share lifelong skills with the community as families seek to advance their health and well-being for generations to come.  

Fiesta Del Corazón will take place Saturday, February 1. Doors will open at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center at 9 a.m. For more information on the event, click here.

Sources:

  1. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/cpr-facts-and-statistics?srsltid=AfmBOooAl9_XSL0jXQAbyVSMACOoi6KBMk2qMOz9aa2-fC88Viu5RO4K ↩︎
  2. what-is-cpr ↩︎
  3. https://augustheart.org/ ↩︎
  4. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/lack-of-access-to-healthy-food-may-raise-risk-of-death-from-heart-failure ↩︎

Invisible Wounds: Suicide Prevention Month

Some wounds are invisible. Those are the words used to best describe the struggle of the 49,476 people who died by suicide in 2022. Each of those individuals were precious to their families and friends and sadly the loss of those loved ones often creates a ripple effect of trauma and sorrow in the space those lives used to fill. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide remains to be a silent killer in the U.S. In 2022 there were over 12.3 million people who seriously considered an attempt. The rise in self-harm related deaths and attempts goes back over 20 years with a 36 percent increase in suicide-related deaths in the U.S. since 2001. 

“It’s a dark subject that individuals don’t want to talk about,” said Celina Gonzalez, a supervisor in Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Behavioral Health Services. “How do you talk to somebody who has experienced attempts or how do you talk to somebody who has had a family member die by suicide attempt?” 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) approaches suicide prevention in its clinical and community care settings through an integrated care model that ensures individuals seeking help are supported in all aspects of their health – physically, mentally, and spiritually.  

This means recognizing that regardless of the reason for a visit, our medical and dental care providers are also asking patients questions that gauge the need for a referral to our behavioral health team to follow up and provide mental health treatment.  

“We approach it very carefully, very kindly, and very authentically,” Gonzalez said. “We create a safe space where someone can just unload what it is they’re experiencing.”  

Our clinical team members use the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a self-administered test provided in primary care settings to determine if patients might need mental health services. The completion of this questionnaire alerts our providers to any needs a patient or client may have outside of their scheduled appointment, which could range from medical, dental or behavioral health. A key element of this integrated care approach is MHM’s Behavioral Health team responding to any emergency room (ER) report notifying them when a MHM patient and registered client has been brought to an ER for mental health reasons. At this point, the behavioral health counselors’ step in and work with the or patient to create a safe space where they can discuss their situation.  

“Every year, we work with our families to complete a PHQ-9,” Andrea Aguirre, Parenting Program In-Home Specialist, said. “We do this to ensure that all our families get the necessary and lifesaving assistance they need.” 

Awareness and prevention are key factors for preventing someone who is experiencing suicidal ideation from becoming another tragedy. Being able to spot the signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal ideation and supporting that individual by connecting them to resources and providing a safe place to share their struggle is an important aspect of preventing suicide. Here are some signs to look out for:  

  • Withdrawing from family and friends and self-isolating  
  • Talking about feeling trapped in unbearable pain  
  • Acting anxious and aggressive  
  • Talking about being a burden to others  
  • Sleeping too much or too little  
  • Increased use of drugs and alcohol.  

Suicide Prevention Month is an internationally recognized observance established in 2003 to address the growing number of suicide-related deaths and to impart the singular message that suicide can be prevented. Additionally, suicide remains to be a leading cause of death in the United States for individuals aged 10 to 65 with death rates growing rapidly for young and economically disadvantaged individuals who may not have access to critical mental health services. 

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free help from mental health professionals.  

For more information on our services and how to get access to care, click here to learn more.

November 2023 Calendar of Events – WHWC

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.

Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for November 2023.

English

2023 November Calendar_Page_1

Español

2023 November Calendar_Page_2

May 2023 Calendar of Events – WHWC

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.

Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for May 2023.

English

2023 May Calendar-MHM_Page_1

Español

2023 May Calendar-MHM_Page_2

March 2023 Calendar of Events – WHWC

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.

Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for March 2023.  

English

2023 March Calendar (Comm) (1)_Page_1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Español

2023 March Calendar (Comm) (1)_Page_2

February 2023 Calendar of Events – WHWC

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.

Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for February 2023.

English

2023 Feb. Calendar 1 - Clean- Comms Updates_Page_1

Español

2023 Feb. Calendar 1 - Clean- Comms Updates_Page_2

December 2022 Calendar of Events – WHWC

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.

Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for December 2022.

English

2022 Dec. Calendar_Page_1

Español

2022 Dec. Calendar_Page_2
White close icon

Jaime Wesoloski

President & Chief Executive Officer

Jaime Wesolowski is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. A healthcare executive with three decades of leadership experience, Jaime is responsible for the overall governance and direction of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Jaime earned his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Xavier University, and his Bachelor’s of Science from Indiana University in Healthcare Administration. As a cancer survivor, Jaime is a staunch supporter of the American Cancer Society. He serves as Chair of the American Cancer Society’s South Texas Area board of directors and he was appointed as Chair to the recently created South Region Advisory Cabinet, covering eight states from Arizona through Alabama. Jaime believes his personal experience as a cancer survivor has given him more defined insight and compassion to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.