News – Page 6 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Statement on Juneteenth Becoming a Federal Holiday

DW Admin on June 19, 2021

This week, President Joseph Biden signed legislation that establishes June 19, Juneteenth, as a federal holiday. The day commemorates June 19, 1865, the day word of their emancipation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln and months after the formal conclusion of the Civil War. Even though freedom had been achieved by law first through the Emancipation Proclamation and later with the passage of the 13^th Amendment in January 1865, in practice, many African Americans continued to fight the oppressive hand of slavery and racism to that point. More than 150 years have passed since those consequential events and yet the effects of systemic racism and the push for equality and equity continues to this day.

We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. applaud the bipartisan actions taken by the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and President Biden to make this commemoration a reality. This commemoration aligns with our work as an organization guided by a mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God.”

We believe that to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out our mission we must recognize the inequities inherent in our communities that contribute to poor health outcomes. Inequities revolving around maternal and infant health, chronic stress, trauma, education, food security, safe housing and financial wealth have resulted in vast differences in life expectancy and quality of life for people living in the 74 counties we serve.

The disenfranchisement of people of color in our community through policies and practices contributing to systemic racial oppression denies individuals the opportunity to reach their full potential for health and life, and does harm to all families, preventing every community from thriving.

This Juneteenth, we will celebrate the progress achieved and, in keeping with our Methodist faith, we will continue to honor the gifts that every racial group and culture bring to our total life. We reaffirm our commitment to lead and to stand with our partners, patients, clients, and community in rejecting all expressions of racism and policies and practices that erode inclusion and diminish health equity for all.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries announces new vice president of clinical operations

DW Admin on May 3, 2021

San Antonio (April 30, 2021) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is pleased to announce Leticia Ortiz-Johnson has been selected to serve as the organization’s new Vice President of Clinical Operations. Ortiz-Johnson first joined the organization early in 2020 as Director of Medical Operations and has served as interim Vice President of Medical Operations since December 2020.

As Vice President of Clinical Operations, Ortiz-Johnson will report to the Chief Operating Officer and oversee the organization’s clinical integrated care programs—ensuring patients are at the center of their care journey, which includes medical, dental, behavioral health and nutrition services.

“Leticia’s impressive depth of clinical experience has positioned her perfectly to continue the high standards our clinical service teams have established for quality care for the least served. Her lived experience, previous role as a multispecialty physician practice administrator in a rural community, and ability to communicate in Spanish will serve as a valuable asset in supporting integrated care for our strategic focus supporting resilient families," said Xochy Hurtado, Chief Operating Officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Prior to joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries in 2020, she served as Rural Health Clinic Administrator for Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio, TX where she managaed and coordinated care for over 5,500 patients each month for Orthopedics, Urology, Surgery, Podiatry, Obstetrics, Family Practice, Cardiology, Psychiatric Telehealth, and Pediatric practices. Ortiz-Johnson has been a registered nurse for the past 28 years and she earned both a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Texas Tech University. Lety is originally from Del Rio, Texas.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Donates $460,000 to Nonprofits in the Coastal Bend to Support Community Disaster Relief Efforts

DW Admin on April 28, 2021

San Antonio, TX (April 28, 2021) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has donated $463,500 in emergency funding to six nonprofits in the Coastal Bend to support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across South Texas. The organizations receiving funding are the Coastal Bend Food Bank ($250,000), The Coastal Bend Community Foundation ($100,000) Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group ($75,000), Mission 911 ($75,000), St. Luke’s United Methodist Church ($5,000) and Grace United Methodist Church ($3,500).

The funds allocated to these organizations are part of the over $3.2 million donated to nonprofits across Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area who are helping those impacted the most. “The winter storm that impacted millions of Texans hit some South Texas communities especially hard and months later, organizations are still doing incredible work supporting those who were impacted the most,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “In times like these, we know it’s important to support great partners like these organizations, who always respond and provide the needed comfort and resources to those in need. On behalf of our entire team and the board of directors at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I’d like to thank these key partners, their staff and volunteers, who have worked so diligently over the past several weeks to answer the call for help by so many throughout South Texas.”

Each organization has been responding to the increased need for support in the community that was compounded by the effects of the winter storm. The Coastal Bend Food Bank has been serving 63,022 individuals a month since the winter storm, which translates to an increase of 26.3% over January 2021. Executive Director Bea Hanson said, “We are so grateful to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for their generous donation of $250,000 which translates to 1,000,000 meals for families in need.”

The Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group has been helping survivors of the Winter Storm who received damages as the result of the storm, include plumbing/pipe damage as a result of the freezing weather, interior work associated with the access to plumbing pipes and more. Christopher Brandt, Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group added “The Grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries came at perfect timing. We had a group of volunteer plumbers come to the Coastal Bend and with the MHM funding we were able to purchase materials for the plumbers. CBDRG was able to fix and or restore water to the homes of 67 homes to date. “

The Coastal Bend Community Foundation was able to leverage the donation by Methodist Healthcare Ministries to secure matching funding from other area funders, enabling them to provide grant funding to area non-profits both suffering physical damage, as well as assisting low-income populations suffering storm damage. Karen Selim, President & CEO of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, said “Coastal Bend Community Foundation is honored to partner with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to award winter storm grants to area non-profits both suffering physical damage, as well as assisting low-income populations suffering storm damage. The Ed Rachal Foundation provided a 50% match to MHM’s grant, and all $150,000 is being awarded to 25 area charities. This truly speaks to the power of community and working together to improve lives.”

“Grace United Methodist Church and the Amazing Grace Food Pantry are extremely thankful for the $3,500 donation received from United Healthcare Ministries for Winter Storm Relief,” said Pam Fordtrain, Pantry Director at Amazing Grace Food Pantry. “This will enable us to provide additional food, transportation, utility and minor household repair assistance for residents affected by the Winter Storm.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Donates More than $200,000 to San Angelo Area Nonprofits to Support Community Disaster Relief Efforts

DW Admin on April 6, 2021

San Antonio, TX (April 6, 2021) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has donated $212,500 in emergency funding to three nonprofits serving the San Angelo area to support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across the state. The Concho Valley Regional Food Bank is receing a $100,000 donation the Grape Creek United Methodist Church is receiving $12,500 and the San Angelo Area Foundation is receiving $100,000.

These funds allocated to San Angelo are a piece of over $2.3 million donated to organizations across Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area who are helping those impacted the most. “The winter storm that impacted millions of Texans reminded us that when adversity strikes, there are partners we can consistently call on to respond and provide needed comfort and resources to those in need,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “On behalf of our entire team and the board of directors at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I’d like to thank the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank, the San Angelo Area Foundation, Grape Creek United Methodist Church and their teams of staff and volunteers who have worked so diligently over the past several weeks or so to answer the call for help by so many throughout the Concho Valley.”

The impact of the winter storm was felt directly by the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank and Grape Creek United Methodist Church’s Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. The need for food assistance was already high as the region was still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, however the winter storm added unexpected financial strain on residents across the region as they suddenly faced higher than usual utility bills and repair costs for damage caused by the storm. The San Angelo Area Foundation operates a number of disaster relief funds that it uses to help the community when responding to critical needs. The funds from Methodist Healthcare Ministries will help support those efforts and ensure the community has the resources available to respond this and future crisis.

“We appreciate the partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries for realizing the long-term effects of not only COVID-19, the recent municipal water restrictions, and winter storm Uri has had on those that are in need here in the Concho Valley,” said Lee Pipkin, Executive Director of the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank. “These three events effected those who may be suffering from other health concerns and when you throw three major events in a row on folks who are in need, it digs a hole that’s hard to dig out of without help like what we are able to provide along with great partners like Methodist Healthcare Ministries. By acknowledging that overall health is dependent on good nutrition, the long-term return on investment is huge for those in need as well as the health care industry. Many thanks go out to our local Wesley Nurses for helping to keep the overall health of the Concho Valley in front of funders like Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “

“In recent years, the Concho Valley region has experienced numerous disasters, placing hardship on many of our community members,” states Matt Lewis, President & CEO of the San Angelo Area Foundation. “With disaster’s ranging from wildfires, flooding, tornados, a pandemic, and most recently the winter weather crisis, these events have further amplified the importance of being nimble in our responsiveness and the critical role we can play in matching the generosity of the Concho Valley with our communities’ greatest needs. Disaster philanthropy is vital for communities when faced with the unexpected and through partnerhisps with organizations such as Methodist Healthcare Minsitires, the San Angelo Area Foundation can continue to be a strong source of support for the community and organizations dedicated to helping neighbors in need.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Donates $140,000 to Victoria Nonprofits to Support Community Disaster Relief Efforts

DW Admin on March 25, 2021

San Antonio, TX (March 23, 2021) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.—a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has donated $140,000 in emergency funding to two Victoria nonprofits. The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent is receiving a $100,000 donation and the Christ's Kitchen is receiving $40,000. These funds will support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across the state.

The funds allocated to Victoria are part of a $4.5 million dollar investment Methodist Healthcare Ministries has made to help South Texas recover from the aftermath of the winter storms. To date, over $2.3 million has been donated to organizations across Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area.. “The winter storm reminds us that when adversity strikes, there are partners we can consistently call on to respond and provide needed comfort and resources to those in need,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “On behalf of our entire team and the board of directors at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I’d like to thank the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, Christ Kitchen and community leaders like Pastor Wade of Victoria First United Methodist Church and their entire team of staff and volunteers who have worked so diligently to answer the call for help by so many throughout South Texas.”

Robin Cadle, President and CEO of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent said, “The generosity of Methodist Healthcare Ministries allows the food bank to stay nimble and be there for our neighbors in their moment of need— whether they are asking for help for the first time in their lives, or struggling with perpetual food insecurity that made it difficult to fill their plates even before the Pandemic or Winter Storm events hit. Everyone deserves to have enough to eat and we are so grateful for the partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries in our mission of ‘helping heal the hurt of hunger.’”

The impact of the winter storm was felt directly by the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent and Christ’s Kitchen. The need for food assistance was already high as the region was still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, however the winter storm added unexpected financial strain on residents across the region as they suddenly faced higher than usual utility bills and repair costs for damage caused by the storm. The food bank’s food distribution increased from 2.9 million pounds in 2012 to nearly 8.8 million pounds in 2020, representing a 195% increase in need. Christ’s Kitchen is one of the few places in town where the less fortunate can come find a free, hot meal and they are serving 600-800 people per day.

“On behalf of First United Methodist Church, I am so appreciative of the partnership we have with Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The healthcare programs that we have been able to develop have been lifesaving in this community, and the support we get from Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Wesley Nurse program is vital to our mission to “be the church,” said Wade Powell, Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church. “Methodist Healthcare Ministries understands the connection between health and faith. We are partners in physical and spiritual health, and I love the fact that Methodist Healthcare Ministries is helping support our Food Bank and Christ’s Kitchen, because good nutrition is so important to overall good health. When Jesus calls on us to help feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the oppressed; I’m glad that First United Methodist Church has a partnership like Methodist Healthcare Ministries to lean on. They are a blessing, not only to our church, but to the entire community.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Stop Kicking Kids off Their Health Insurance

DW Admin on March 23, 2021

Imagine if parents had to sign paperwork every month to renew their declaration of love for their children. The idea sounds a bit ridiculous, but it’s not unlike what the State of Texas currently does for many parents who want to keep their kids healthy and protected through reliable health care coverage.

Nearly one in four uninsured children in the U.S. live here in Texas, and that is unacceptable. We are fortunate inTexas to have Children’s Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but the hurdles imposed by the Texas legislature weaken the benefits of these safeguards.

To confirm Medicaid eligibility, Texas conducts income checks at least four times over a period of six months rather than only once a year. Under this policy, parents must respond to income checks within 10 days of the request for documentation to confirm a child’s eligibility for Medicaid being initiated, regardless of how long it takes for the notice to actually arrive in their mail. If they miss the deadline, their child loses their health coverage. Of the kids who lose Medicaid coverage due to the monthly income checks, 9 out of 10 do so because of “procedural reasons,” such as errors or delays in the monthly paperwork. Only 1 out of 10 is removed from Medicaid because the household income increased.

Uninsured children are less likely to get preventive care and are more likely to experience delays in health care or receive no care at all. One in five Texas children have special health care needs. Facing any lapse in coverage can have significant negative impacts on children with chronic conditions who need regular and frequent visits with providers.

This barrier to continuous coverage is highlighted by Every Texan in their new report Health Equity for Every Texas Child, published this month through its Texas KIDS COUNT project. Supporting children’s health gives them the best chance of succeeding in school and later in life. Providing health care coverage is one way of providing wide-ranging and long-lasting impacts on health, educational, and financial outcomes for both children and their families. Childrenare far less likely than adults to be uninsured because they have access to Children’s Medicaid and CHIP, yet Texas still has the worst child uninsured rate in the U.S. at 12.7% — more than twice the U.S. average of 5.7%.

By protecting all children’s access to affordable and reliable health care coverage, we invest in the success of future generations and set up more equitable conditions to see children thrive.

And as more students are expected to return to on-campus learning statewide this fall, it is critical that the youngest Texans have health coverage in case they fall ill.

Poor childhood health impacts children’s ability to learn, and children who have health insurance tend to do better inschool. Health insurance is critical in the first years of life, as children experience rapid brain development and growth. In this period, frequent check-ups help ensure that children get care for any health conditions or developmental issues that could hold back their success in school, before those issues become more difficult to address. It can also ensurethat children are receiving critical vaccines at the appropriate age that are vital to protecting their health against harmful diseases.

Racial disparities also play a role in health outcomes, both in the likelihood of having health care coverage, and the effects of racism itself on the body. Many children of color live in neighborhoods that are less developed (such as the colonias along the Texas-Mexico border), have fewer resources, and face the threat of deportation and outright discrimination.

Hispanic workers are overrepresented in seasonal industries (construction; agriculture; forestry, fishing and hunting; and accommodation and food services). Month-to-month eligibility checks can cause children in households with seasonal workers to churn on-and-off coverage multiple times per year, even if their average income is well below the income limit.

The negative health impacts of discrimination make it all the more necessary to ensure equitable health insurance coverage rates across groups. Hispanic children continue to experience a higher uninsured rate, and Texas holds the largest share of the nation’s uninsured Hispanic children, at 36% of the national total. Hispanic children in Texas are almost twice as likely to be uninsured as non-Hispanic children.

As our state lawmakers deliberate over hundreds of bills impacting our children and neediest families, we ask for theirconsideration and support of legislation that streamlines eligibility processes for children’s Medicaid. Our love for our children is unconditional and continuous, and Texas children’s health coverage should follow suit.

Jaime Wesolowski is the President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., a faith-based, not-for-profit organization based in San Antonio dedicated to creating access to care for low-income, uninsured families through services, strategic grant-making and community partnerships in 74 counties across South Texas.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Donates $500,000 to San Antonio Food Bank to Support Winter Storm Relief Efforts

DW Admin on March 1, 2021

San Antonio, TX (March 1, 2021) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has donated $500,000 in emergency funding to the San Antonio Food Bank to support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across the state.

The San Antonio Food Bank has been a vital source of support for San Antonio’s most vulnerable residents, most especially during times of crisis. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been in partnership with the Food Bank since 2007, supporting its provision of food to those in need and CHIP/Medicaid enrollment for families across the 16 counties the Food Bank serves in South Texas. Last year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries gifted the Food Bank with $250,000 to support its COVID-19 relief efforts which gained national attention. The gift of $500,000 that was presented today, and the nearly $660,000 in annual grant funding Methodist Healthcare Ministries is providing to continue supporting the Food Bank’s Nutrition on Wheels program and social service outreach, brings the total amount awarded to the Food Bank to more than $1.4 million since last year.

“The winter storm that impacted millions of Texans reminds us that when adversity strikes, there are partners we can consistently call on to respond and provide needed comfort and resources to those in need,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “On behalf of our entire team and the board of directors at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I’d like to thank the San Antonio Food Bank and their entire team of staff and volunteers who have worked so diligently over the past week or so to answer the call for help by so many throughout South Texas.”

“February’s winter storm was especially crippling for those in poverty. We have been seeing an extra 7,000 people a day needing water and food to completely restock their shelves. This support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries will bring much needed supplies, as well as hope, to thousands across South Texas” said Eric S. Cooper, President & CEO, San Antonio Food Bank.

The San Antonio Food Bank responded quickly to the most recent weather crisis by ensuring the most vulnerable families were stocked up with food supplies, providing ready-to-eat meals to various shelters and warming centers set up across the region, delivering homebound meals to seniors in Bexar and Comal County. Once power was restored and the road conditions improved, they established 3 major distribution sites in San Antonio for February 19-21 where they served estimated 75,000 people with groceries and water. Additionally, dozens of trucks traveled throughout South Texas, from Harper down to Crystal City, to ensure rural counties received water and food supplies as well. Overall, their response effort has been heroic and these additional funds will further their efforts even more.

As it moves into 2021, Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to provide safe, affordable health care to San Antonio’s low-income population through virtual medical and behavioral health care—including food and other emergency assistance during these challenging times. The organization’s clinics have opened back up for in-person visits, and also still offers services to its Parenting Program clients via Zoom classes, as well as virtual recreation & enrichment program offerings to patients and clients looking for ways to stay active and healthy in these times where social distancing prevents in person services. Additionally, regional staff, including Wesley Nurses and community-based counseling staff continues to provide services throughout the 74-county service area.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Inclement Weather Notice: Feb. 17, 2021

DW Admin on February 11, 2021

UPDATE Feb. 17, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE – Due to continued inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. operations will be closed thru Friday, Feb. 19. Patients with existing in-person or virtual appointments will need to be rescheduled. Operations are expected to resume as normal on Monday, Feb. 22.

The pharmacies located at the Dixon Health & Wellness Center and Wesley Health & Wellness Center will continue to be open from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. thru Friday, Feb. 19.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

UPDATE Feb. 15, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE – Due to continued inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. San Antonio area locations will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Patients with existing phone call telehealth appointments will not be impacted. All other in-person and video telehealth appointments will need to be rescheduled.

Regional operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts.

The pharmacies located at the Dixon Health & Wellness Center and Wesley Health & Wellness Center will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

UPDATE Feb. 14, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE – Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. San Antonio area locations will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15. Patients with existing appointments via telehealth will not be impacted. All other service appointments will need to be rescheduled.

Regional operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts.

The pharmacies located at the Dixon Health & Wellness Center and Wesley Health & Wellness Center will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

UPDATE Feb. 12, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE -All Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. San Antonio area locations are open today, Feb. 12, on a regular schedule.

Operations for Monnday, Feb. 15 will open on a 2-hour delay at 10 a.m. Patients and clients with appointments before 10 a.m. should call 210-922-6922 with questions and for updates on appointment times. Visit this webpage for additional updates.

Feb. 11, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. San Antonio area locations will be closed at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; and our School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary.

Patients who had existing appointments for this afternoon will be rescheduled.

The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

Statement by Methodist Healthcare Ministries on Vaccine Distributions at Dixon Health & Wellness Center

DW Admin on February 1, 2021

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas is not a COVID-19 vaccine community receiving or administering site. However, Methodist Healthcare Ministries was fortunate to be provided with a limited number of COVID-19 doses for distribution to select patients and clients meeting criteria 1b at its Dixon Health & Wellness Center. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is grateful for the opportunity to provide this life-saving resource to its qualifying patients and clients who may have had difficulty accessing the vaccine.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is currently not able to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to the public, but will communicate availability if that changes. For now, we encourage everyone to protect themselves and their community by following COVID-19 guidelines and protocols by wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and practicing social distancing.

For questions on local community vaccination sites and resources, please call 2-1-1 or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website to locate a COVID-19 community vaccination site near you.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Of South Texas, Inc. Awarded a 2021 Top Workplaces USA Award By Energage

DW Admin on January 28, 2021

San Antonio, Texas (January 28, 2021) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based not-for-profit dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured – has earned the 2021 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage. The organization is also recognized as a 2021 Top Workplace USA in the nonprofit category.

Energage is a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. This is the inaugural year for Top Workplaces USA, built on the program’s 14-year history surveying more than 20 million employees across 54 markets for the regional Top Workplaces awards. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

"Methodist Healthcare Ministries is blessed to receive this award, which highlights our remarkable team’s commitment to our mission of 'Serving Humanity to Honor God' in everything they do” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO. "Thanks to our mission-driven board of directors, our team has the resources they need to work with exceptional skill, humility and passion to pursue health equity across South Texas; making every day at Methodist Healthcare Ministries rewarding—and truly an extraordinary place to work.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries employs 450+ employees across San Antonio and throughout South Texas, including at its corporate headquarters located in the San Antonio Medical Center, two community clinics (the Wesley Health & Wellness Center and the Dixon Health & Wellness Center), two School-Based Health Centers at Krueger Elementary and Schertz Elementary, and over 100 additional staff positions located within local churches and community centers in 74 counties across South Texas. Methodist Healthcare Ministries offers employees a robust benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, the opportunity to invest in a matching 401(k) savings plan, a vibrant health & wellness Incentive Program, education reimbursement opportunities and more.

Over the course of the past year, as Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ staff navigated through a new COVID-19 reality, its team members maintained a high level of engagement, both internally and externally. Internally, it was evidenced through participation in special taskforces and workgroups focused on ensuring its processes and operations were effectively meeting the needs of the people and communities it served during the pandemic. Externally, the commitment was shown through active collaboration with partners and community members to ensure that any unmet needs continued to be addressed in an effort to support resilient families and build thriving communities across South Texas.

Top Workplaces USA offers national recognition for large organizations, those with more than 150 employees, and those that may have operations in multiple markets. Several thousand organizations from across the country were invited, and more than 1,100 participated in the Top Workplaces USA survey.

"During this very challenging time, Top Workplaces has proven to be a beacon of light for organizations, as well as a sign of resiliency and strong business performance," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward. Top Workplaces draw on real-time insights into what works best for their organization, so they can make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their people and their business."

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Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces $75,000 Grant to City of Brownsville to Improve Local Broadband Access

DW Admin on January 25, 2021

Brownsville, Texas (January 25, 2021) – Last Friday, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based not-for-profit dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured – announced a $75,000 grant award to the City of Brownsville to help improve local broadband access. In a virtual press conference, President & CEO, Jaime Wesolowski joined City of Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez to announce the award, which will support planning for infrastructure improvements of Brownsville’s digital economy.

The event featured a panel discussion on the issues that impact broadband access and discussed how the initiative is a testament to the positive direction Brownsville is taking. In addition to Wesolowski and Mayor Mendez, the panel also also included, Jordana Barton, Vice President of Community Investment, Methodist Healthcare Ministries; Ramiro Gonzalez, Director of Government & Community Affairs, City of Brownsville; Alex Meade, Senior VP of Economic Development and Public Finance for Texas Regional Bank; Susan Schwarz Shepard, Chair of the Valley Zoological Association; Rene Gonzalez of Lit Communities; and Josue Plaza with ConnectBTX.

“Closing the digital divide in communities will play a critical role in our efforts to support resilient families and build thriving communities across South Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “The long-term impact of having strong access to broadband technology on the health, education and other social determinants of health in Brownsville make this partnership a priority for our organization.”

The announcement comes in response to the City of Brownsville and its community partners' advocacy for reliable and affordable broadband internet service to help close the digital divide and homework gap impacting residents.

Brownsville currently ranks as the worst-connected city in the country with the least access to fixed broadband, according to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). The current COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for improved infrastructure to accommodate the increased need for virtual learning and telehealth opportunities. Additionally, as the Brownsville economy transitioned further into a digital economy, local leaders recognized the need to expand existing broadband infrastructure. Leaders have also realized that, in addition to adequate and strategically placed public fiber, they must create a plan to address and fill the other gaps in access that exist in the community: affordability of subscriptions, devices, and digital skills training and technical assistance.

Through this initiative, the City of Brownsville will receive the necessary support to increase broadband connectivity and thereby greater access to vital community resources that contribute to the health and wellbeing for Brownsville’s most vulnerable populations. Two key components include a telehealth plan to ensure access to quality care for Brownsville’s most disconnected constituents and a partnership with the Gladys Porter Zoo to support educational equity and demonstrate the importance of connectivity in helping Brownsville’s citizens and community thrive.

“In order to secure our future in the global economy we must close the digital divide. Over the past year we’ve been working diligently on understanding the issue and we are in the process of completing the broadband master plan,” said Mayor Mendez. “This could not have been done without the Alliance that we created made of up of BPUB, TSC, UTRGV, Port of Brownsville, BPUB, BCIC, and GBIC. Today we add two additional partners to that alliance in Methodist Health Ministries and Texas Regional Bank. I look forward to see how we can accelerate the adoption of telehealth through deployment of broadband solutions and also look forward to see the transformation of the Gladys Porter Zoo and the services they will be able to provide by having proper connectivity. These projects are two important milestones in our effort but only the beginning. We look forward to continued collaboration with our partners.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $199,000 to Fight Food Insecurity as part of Ongoing COVID-19 Relief Efforts

DW Admin on December 23, 2020

San Antonio, TX (December 23, 2020) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has awarded $199,000 in emergency grant funding support to eight nonprofit agencies in five targeted South Texas counties to support their COVID-19 response and recovery efforts focused on increasing access to food for hard hit communities.

This award brings the total amount Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested in response to COVID-19 to nearly $4 million for the year 2020. The funding has gone to more than 100 organizations across its 74-county service area to help respond to basic needs in urban and rural communities throughout South Texas, in support of their recovery efforts.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries recognizes that these communities have been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and we remain committed to helping support resilient families through these challenging times,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “This additional investment will help ensure that partner organizations can continue to support communities with the tools and resources needed to survive.”

The five counties receiving the assistance have the highest rates of unemployment as of September 2020. They include: Starr County (18.5% unemployment), Zavala County (17%), Maverick County (16.5%), Jim Wells County (14.7%) and Duval County (14.3%). These counties are home to a large number of families that are food insecure, making the additional support very timely. The funding will cover food costs, as well as additional support resources such as refrigeration and equipment.

Below is a summary of the funding allocations:

South Texas Food Bank $50,000
- For Starr & Maverick Counties
San Antonio Food Bank $50,000
- For Zavala County
Coastal Bend Food Bank $50,000
- For Jim Wells & Duvall County
Casa de Esperanza $12,500
- For Starr County
Home of Living Faith $20,000
- For Zavala County
Mission Border Hope $16,500
- For Maverick County

Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank commented, “Wow! Thank you all so very much! Truly humbled, blessed, exhausted, inspired! Thank you for helping us fight hunger and feed hope!”

This funding opportunity is in addition to the $32 million granted this year to over 90 agencies across South Texas which supports access to care, integrated delivery systems, patient-centered health models and other programs and services aimed at addressing the Social Determinants of Health that disproportionately impact the least served.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to provide safe, affordable health care to San Antonio’s low-income population through virtual medical and behavioral health care—including food and other emergency assistance during this pandemic. The organization also still offers services to its Parenting Program clients via Zoom classes, as well as virtual recreation & enrichment program offerings to patients and clients looking for ways to stay active and healthy in these times where social distancing prevents in person services. Additionally, regional staff, including Wesley Nurses and community-based counseling staff continues to provide services throughout the 74-county service area.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.