By Sarah Acosta
Staff Writer
The Smithville Times

In August, Smithville was presented with their first “Wesley Nurse” – Sharlene Scheler, who says she is fully committed to the health and well-being of this community.

Scheler moved to Smithville to retire with her husband Nelson last June, but when presented with the opportunity by Methodist Health Care Ministries to be Smithville’s first ever Wesley Nurse, she felt a calling.

“When I was first presented with the opportunity to be a Wesley Nurse, I had no idea what it was, but after a lot of research and much deliberation, I knew it was the right path for me,” Scheler said. “I feel blessed every day that I am able to offer this care to those in need.”

The Wesley Nurse Health Ministries program is a faith-based, holistic program committed to serving the community through the promotion of good health and education.

As a returning member of Smithville First United Methodist Church, she was thrilled to not only be a part of the ministry again, but also help others in the process.

Originally from San Antonio, she moved to Smithville 35 years ago when her husband was offered a position to manage Marrs-Jones Funeral Home.
She began working for the Smithville Clinic with Dr. James Thomas, while also commuting to Austin to attend nursing school.

As a mother of two children with aging parents herself, she felt the need to move closer to her family back in San Antonio.

Scheler continued to practice nursing there while also obtaining her second nursing degree, with a focus on infection prevention, from the University of Texas in 1991.

As a Wesley Nurse, Scheler provides free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, along with diabetes and nutrition programs. She also focuses on cardiac care, medication safety and home safety.

“I am so excited to offer these services to those who really need it,” she said.

Scheler can be found at First United Methodist Church on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

She provides screening services at Smithville Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels at the rec center and two days a week at Hart’s Chapel.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she also provides exercise classes at the education building at her church.

In the future, she will also offer blood pressure screenings at Smithville’s Brookshire Brothers.

If you are interested in her services, contact Scheler at 512-237-2632.

“My main goal is to help people help themselves,” she said.

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Wesley Nurse to Offer 15-Week Walking Program in Blanco

Blanco, Texas — Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) recently welcomed Blanco among the communities in South Texas where it offers its signature outreach program – the Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™ (WNHM). WNHM is a holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least served through education, health promotion and collaboration with the individual and community in achieving improved wellness through self-empowerment. It is currently MHM’s largest outreach program with 80 authorized church sites throughout South Texas.

Kimberley Timpanelli, RN began her tenure as Wesley Nurse at the Blanco United Methodist Church in April, however she is a seasoned healthcare professional. Timpanelli obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, worked as an Oncology professional for over seven years and has nearly 18 years of experience in the nursing field.

As a new Wesley Nurse site, Timpanelli conducted a Health Needs Assessment of Blanco as a means to design programming and services to fulfill the expressed needs of the community. Concluding this study, Timpanelli found Blanco residents expressed a strong interest in a physical activity program, along with opportunities for spiritual growth.

As a result, Timpanelli introduced a 15-week walking program designed to encourage physical activity and spiritual reflection. The ‘Walk to Bethlehem’ program, adapted from the Episcopal Health Ministries model, also provides participants with a dedicated time to obtain health education and information. “The idea is to complete the total 7,208 miles from Blanco to Bethlehem in time for Christmas. That’s an average of 480 miles per week. My hope is to involve the entire Blanco community,” explains Timpanelli.

A different theme, suggested scripture for reflection, and a health related focus is identified for each week of the program. Additionally, each participant will receive a packet containing the weekly focus, mileage tracking cards, along with additional resources to assist them along their trek. Participants may choose to walk 30-45 minutes with the group that meet Monday through Friday at the Blanco United Methodist Church, or may walk independently. Community miles are tracked on a world map from Blanco, Texas to Bethlehem, Israel – a total of 7,208 miles. The Walk to Bethlehem program began on September, 9, 2012 and will continue into Christmas week.

Ms. Timpanelli’s office is located at the Blanco United Methodist Church (61 Pecan Street). For additional information about the Walk to Bethlehem program, contact Kimberley Timpanelli at (830) 330-4115 or ktimpanelli@mhm.org.

Published by The Houston Chronicle at Chron.com: Belt-tightening in both good and bad times is starving the state’s future, particularly when it comes to health care and education, according to a new coalition that formed to educate lawmakers “as to what Texas people need and want.” READ MORE

Published by the San Antonio Express News: Caroline Fernandez entered the world 12 weeks prematurely, weighing less than a pound. Breathing with the help of a machine, her translucent skin a roadmap of veins, she slept peacefully in her incubator at Methodist Children’s Hospital four weeks later, with no idea of the hard road that lies ahead. READ MORE

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San Antonio, TX – Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM)—the largest private funding source for healthcare services to the uninsured and under-served in South Texas and half owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, is proud to announce the Board of Directors has elected Mr. Scott Bryan to serve as Chair.

Bryan has served on the MHM Board of Directors since 2003, however, he and his family have a long and rich history of service to the organization, beginning with his father, the late Richard “Dick” Bryan who also served as Chair during his service to MHM.

“We are extremely proud to welcome Scott as Chair. I was privileged to serve under Dick Bryan’s leadership, and the example he set for us,” reflects Kevin C. Moriarty, MHM president and chief executive officer. “Like his father, Scott has demonstrated extraordinary leadership. From his role as Treasurer to Senior Vice Chair on the Board, Scott has helped to shape MHM into the organization we are today. Scott’s leadership will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges Texas is sure to face as it struggles to adapt to federal healthcare reform initiatives.”

In addition to serving as Chair, Mr. Bryan serves as an account representative at HOLT CAT San Antonio and is an active member at the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.

Mr. Bryan thanked Richard “Dick” Gilby for his leadership as the out-going chairman of the board as he accepted the ceremonial gavel during the annual board of directors meeting which took place June 27. “Dick Gilby led this Board and MHM to unprecedented heights. The strength and vitality of this organization is in large part, a product of Dick’s leadership. I am extremely grateful to him and all the members of this board for their service to MHM. I am humbled to assume a position I know my father was proud to fulfill.”

The MHM board of directors also elected new board officers at the June meeting: Darrell Frank Smith elected as senior vice chair; Paula Larson, M.D. of South Texas Pathology Associates elected as vice chair; George Ricks of DOCUmation, Inc. elected as vice chair; Shirley S. Watkins, community volunteer elected as secretary; and Alice H. Gannon of USAA elected as treasurer.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries

Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Southwest Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church.

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On Ruling(s) by the Supreme Court of the United States on Individual Mandate and Medicaid Expansion in the Affordable Care Act of 2012

San Antonio, TX – For many Texans, passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was a step toward
ensuring care for those who are sick, promoting prevention, and holding insurers accountable. In no state does today’s decision have a bigger impact than right here in Texas. Since ACA passed, over 7.5 million have benefited through dependent coverage (if under 26 years of age), and access of a federal insurance pool for pre-existing conditions.

Today’s ruling is cause for celebration—and for action. It is time for Texas leaders to get to work on implementing the law so that more Texans benefit. One important step is to establish an exchange that will allow many of the 6 million currently uninsured Texans and hundreds of Texas small businesses to access health care coverage at prices they can afford. Of the uninsured, 2/3 want insurance but have difficulty attaining it due to cost, or pre-existing conditions.

Texas should make it a priority to set up a health insurance exchange that is made especially for Texas. Texas needs to negotiate with the industry for affordable health insurance products. This allows Texas not only to be the #1 job creator, but the #1 contributor to the overall national economy.

Texas needs to make it a priority to set up a health insurance exchange that is made especially for Texas. Let’s make a Texas exchange for Texans!

The ruling today brings peace of mind for millions of Texans: children with pre-existing health conditions who get to keep the health care they need; young adults who can stay on their parents’ health plans; small businesses that receive tax credits for covering their employees; and millions of other Texans who benefit from the law’s free preventive care without co-pays and lowered drug costs in Medicare.

The expansion and exchange subsidies will be financed overwhelmingly by the federal government. For five years, starting in 2014, these initiatives will bring an estimated $119 billion in new federal dollars with a $6 billion state match for Medicaid expansion.

Kevin C. Moriarty, CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries stated: “We are committed to the least served, and look forward to the partnership with the state to address health care in Texas. The future of Texas depends on a healthy workforce, and the federal funds for a Medicaid expansion are a good economic tool.”

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries

Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Southwest Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. MHM is one-half owner of the Methodist Healthcare System—the largest healthcare system in South Texas.

Published by the UT Health Science Center San Antonio: Leaders of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio and The University of Texas System cut the ribbon June 13 on the $3.8 million School of Nursing Simulation Center & Clinical Learning Lab. “This instructional mini-hospital and home health setting will inculcate into students the ability to appraise and respond to unique clinical situations and reflect on whether they did the right thing at the right time,” School of Nursing Dean Eileen T. Breslin, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, said. READ MORE

Published by the San Antonio Express News: Discussion of the new simulation center and clinical learning lab available to UTHSCSA students. The school received $1.5 million from MHM to buy almost a dozen high-tech mannequins. READ MORE