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

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $1.2 Million Grant to Doyle Community Center

DW Admin on June 17, 2022

San Antonio, TX (June 17, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is providing the Doyle Community Center in Kerrville, TX with a three-year, $1.2 million dollar grant to support the operational capacity of the nonprofit organization and continue neighborhood revitalization efforts that originated from their recent work with the BUILD Health Challenge grant. This investment will ensure the Doyle Community Center has the necessary leadership, skilled staff and strategic plan in place to create the much-needed structure, systems, programs, and processes to ensure organizational sustainability.

With the funding, the Doyle Community Center will be able to create its own vision, redefine its mission, and forge its own path following the conclusion of funding from the BUILD Health Challenge. Over the next three years, Doyle Community Center will hire staff, create a strategic plan, and fundraising plan that will allow the Doyle Community Center to become sustainable and provide strategic programs and services to the community.

“It has been inspiring to see the Doyle Community Center become revitalized and energized over the past few years as part of the Hope for Health Collaborative and we see incredible potential for continued growth,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “The BUILD Health Challenge gave the community the kickstart it needed to organize itself and bring together the necessary stakeholders so that they can take ownership and pride in their efforts. We are thankful for the opportunity to continue to support them and their efforts.”

The Doyle Community Center is part of the Hope for Health Collaborative that received funding from the Build Health Challenge in 2019. The Hope for Health Collaborative was formed by New Hope Counseling Center, Peterson Health, the Texas Department of State Health Services-Region 8, Barnett Chapel and Glory Community Garden, Light on the Hill at Mt. Wesley, the City of Kerrville and the Doyle Community Center in a joint application for the BUILD Health Challenge. These organizations, as well as many others, committed to work together to address the revitalization of the Doyle neighborhood of Kerrville, with a focus on social connection, navigation and resident participation to address their individual and community resources and healthcare needs.

Launched in 2015, the BUILD Health Challenge addresses the intersectional factors that impact health and well-being at the community level. BUILD recognizes that direct medical care, while critical, is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to lifting up the standards of living for people in the U.S. and works across sectors with local community organizations to affect positive, sustainable improvements to community health.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Doyle Community Center’s continued growth and success story as we identify and provide strategic and valuable services for the residents of the Doyle Historical District,” said B. K. Gamble, Executive Director of the Doyle Community Center. “The funding provided by Methodist Healthcare Ministries has made it possible to hire quality staff to support our vision, mission, and strategic programs. We very much appreciate the investment MHM has made in our efforts to enrich the lives of our constituents.”

The Doyle Community Center received its 501(c) (3) nonprofit designation on September 29, 2003. The community center’s purpose is to provide education and social activities along with access to health, food, and social services to the residents of the Doyle community. Though Doyle has been incorporated for some time, it operated at a grassroots level providing various programs and serving as a gathering place for the community. The board of directors has served as a working board and has actively participated in day-to-day activities.

The $1.2 million investment is part of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ $129.9 million community investment for 2022 to advance health equity and support communities across South Texas through direct services provided through clinical and regional operations, as well as the development of community partnerships and advocacy.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission also includes its one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System—the largest healthcare system in South Texas. This creates a unique avenue to ensure the Methodist Healthcare System continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all, and revenue to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for its programs and services.

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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 invests nearly $130 million to advance health equity across South Texas

DW Admin on June 7, 2022

San Antonio, TX (June 7, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is investing $129.9 million this year to advance health equity and support communities across South Texas through direct services, the development of community partnerships and advocacy. The funding for 2022 represents an increase of 14.2% from 2021. The nonprofit is deepening its work creating access to care for the uninsured in its 74-county service area.

The $129.9 million represents the organization’s strategic focus on advancing health equity, the framework of thought and action guiding its efforts to address systemic inequities and socio-economic barriers that keep people from living their healthiest lives. The 2022 investment includes funding for direct patient-care services, strategic operations and advocacy work being done across 74 counties, as well as $30.6 million in community grants to over 90 funded partners to extend their mission to nurture resilient families across the state.

“For over 25 years, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been blessed to have the resources we need to make this type of impactful investment in the communities we serve, as we endeavor to fulfill our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “With the support of an incredible team, an engaged board of directors and our commitment to advancing health equity, we believe this investment will help support resilient families and build thriving communities across our service area.”

As a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization, Methodist Healthcare Ministries puts the earnings it receives as 50-50 co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System to fund community-led efforts and promote public policy changes that advance a level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come.

Grants:

In 2022, Methodist Healthcare Ministries awarded $30.6 million in community investment funding to over 90 nonprofit agencies across its 74-county service area. Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ grants are rooted in partnerships that support access to care, integrated delivery systems and patient-centered models. In partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), safety-net clinics, counseling services and regional community projects, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ goal is to create measurable impact at the community and regional levels to further establish health care networks.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries aims to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting organizations that address the community conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work, otherwise known as the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Methodist Healthcare Ministries is interested in learning how organizations are addressing SDoH in general and places a special focus on several key intersecting issues: economic mobility, digital inclusion and broadband infrastructure, and food security.

Grants address one of the following giving areas: Access to Health Care; Mental & Behavioral Health; Programs to adopt Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) screening tools; Food Security/Systems; Digital Inclusion; and Cross-sector Collaborations to Strengthen Health Equity.

An example of a long-time partner that Methodist Healthcare Ministries has supported is Family Service, which Methodist Healthcare Ministries has awarded $7.8 million since 2007. Family Service operates a number of programs that help address SDoHs, including a Rural Child Abuse Prevention Program, Early Childhood Wellbeing Program and a Financial Empowerment Program.

In 2022, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is providing more than $850,000 in funding for various programs. The Por Las Familias Rurales (For the Rural Families) program will address suffering among a vulnerable population (children at risk of child abuse and neglect) and improve mental health outcomes by working with families in rural areas to build parenting and coping skills. The Early Childhood Wellbeing Program will provide mental health services to children that includes looking at the linkages to care for SDoH. And the Edgewood Connected Beyond Classroom Initiative, in which Family Service will be working with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Texas A&M San Antonio, and Edgewood I.S.D. to co-create the Digital Inclusion Scholars Program (DISP) and institutionalize it as an Edgewood Independent School District student program – an initiative that will help close the digital divide, yet another SDoH. Most recently, Family Service received funding to provide support for the families impacted by the tragic school shooting in Uvalde last month.

“Family Service helps individuals and families overcome the multi-faceted challenges in their lives that affect their long-term health, quality of life, and life potential,” said Mary Garr, President & CEO of Family Service. “Too often, these challenges are deep-rooted, intergenerational, and tied to systemic barriers and lack of access to resources. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries as we are aligned in eliminating or reducing barriers caused by what are known as social determinants of health which, thus, improve the lives and health of individuals and families, and help to strengthen and create vibrant, healthy communities.”

Overall, funding is allocated to over 110 grant programs to deepen collaborative efforts, incentivize quality health outcomes, leverage and strengthen health care delivery systems and promote sustainable systems change. Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors oversees the selection of funded partners and requests are considered on an annual basis.

Strategic Operating Initiatives Add-on:

In addition to the annual grants to partners, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has allocated nearly $14 million toward strategic initiatives that amplify our overall strategic goals and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is investing in approaches that address the root causes of poverty and health inequities, such as cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, policy/legislative action eliminating barriers and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families and communities. Examples of the types of initiatives Methodist Healthcare Ministries is investing in include: economic mobility, access to clean water, more community-led collaboration initiatives and broadband expansion efforts to close the digital divide.

Direct Services

Creating access to care through the provision of clinical services has always been key to the organization’s mission. Methodist Healthcare Ministries operates two San Antonio-based primary health care clinics: Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and two school-based health centers: George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary. The clinics address the needs of low-income families and the uninsured by providing services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale. The health care services Methodist Healthcare Ministries provides are a cornerstone of its charitable purpose of creating access to care.

Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.4 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces the Addition of Five New Board Members to its Board of Directors

DW Admin on May 31, 2022

San Antonio (May 31, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced the addition of five new members to its board of directors. New board members will begin their three-year term in June, guiding the nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving the well-being of the least served since 1995.

“Serving on this board has been and continues to be one of the most incredible blessings and opportunities of my life,” said Dr. Michael Lane, current Chair of the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are excited to welcome these outstanding and gifted individuals to our board. They are joining at a critical time and their insights will be instrumental to implementing our strategy which is focused on advancing health equity.”

The five new board members include:

Michael Bacon, CFRE, a senior-level development and external relations executive for Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.
Erika Prosper Nirenberg, the senior Director of Customer Insights at H-E-B
Jacqueline Pugh, MD, Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at South Texas Veterans Health Care System and a faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Medical School
Erica T. Sosa, PhD., an Associate Professor in Public Health and the Associate Dean for Research in UTSA’s College for Health Community and Policy
Pendleton B. Wickersham, MD, a physician and partner in the San Antonio-based Arthritis Associates

Dr. Wickersham is returning to serve on the board of Methodist Healthcare Ministries after previously serving from 2012 to 2021. The other four members are new to the board, but have longstanding relationships with the organization and the scope of work it does across South Texas.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Board plays an important role in setting the direction and goals for the organization to advance a more level playing field for health in 74 counties across Texas. Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.4 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. As 50-50 co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, MHM board members play an important oversight role in the governance of the healthcare system ensuring it provides quality care to all regardless of ability to pay. The earnings from the co-ownership of the health system allows Methodist Healthcare Ministries to fund efforts that strengthen communities and families, provide clinical care to the uninsured and the economically disadvantaged, and promotes a more level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come.

Board members serve three-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms. In addition to serving on the general board, they also serve on one standing committee, such as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Mission Committee and Operations Committee. The board currently has 25 members and can have no more than 27 board members at a given time. The board bylaws also dictate that at least 60 percent of the Regular Directors be members of The United Methodist Church.

“As we continue our efforts to advance health equity throughout the communities we serve, we will be better informed and inspired by the leadership these new board members bring to our organization,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Their unique talents and the breadth of their expertise will be critical for us in the coming years as we strive to improve the lives of the least served so all have an opportunity to thrive.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces $250,000 Funding for Towne Twin Village

DW Admin on May 6, 2022

San Antonio (May 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced that it is providing the Housing First Community Coalition (HFCC) $250,000 in funding to support the Towne Twin Village project on San Antonio’s east side. Once completed, Towne Twin Village will be the first single-site Permanent Supportive Housing provider in the San Antonio community for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“The Housing First Community Coalition is doing an incredible job bringing individuals and organizations together to address homelessness in our community and Methodist Healthcare Ministries stands ready to join the movement,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “This funding embodies our commitment to health equity by supporting initiatives that help to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life.”

In June of 2019, HFCC targeted a 17.3-acre vacant parcel of land at 4711 Dietrich Rd. Within 5 months, HFCC raised $1.2 million to acquire and rezone the property. Since then, HFCC has worked diligently to raise funds for Phase 1 development of the project, totaling over $12.3 million from government and philanthropic support. Towne Twin Village will be the first single-site Permanent Supportive Housing provider in the San Antonio community for homeless individuals. The Village will provide 205 units of safe and comfortable affordable housing combined with intensive support services tailored to the specific needs and desires of each resident.

“The homelessness situation is a can we have been kicking down the road for far too long,” said Mark Wittig, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Health First Community Coalition. “With this gift from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are creating a model that can serve the homeless with dignity and make a statement that something good can be done.”

Housing is an important determinant of health. Research has shown that housing stability, quality, and affordability influence health outcomes just as much as the physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods and communities.

“We know that health is more than what happens in a clinic,” added Wesolowski. “It’s determined by where people work, play, pray, and age—all of which is heavily influenced by where people live. This project is a critical piece to ensuring we expand the ways we impact healthcare to include supporting the social determinants of health and the vital community conditions that so often determine long-term well-being.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University School of Public Health partner together to improve water quality in the Rio Grande Valley

DW Admin on April 6, 2022

McAllen, Texas (April 6, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced a new partnership with Texas A&M University School of Public Health to conduct a two-year study of arsenic and other toxic contaminants that occur in residential drinking water within border colonia communities in the Rio Grande Valley. The event highlighted the importance of a new partnership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University as they work together to address and potentially reduce health disparities, as exposure to toxic contaminants disproportionately affects underserved and low-resourced populations in Texas border communities that depend on unsafe drinking water sources.

The projects aim to test and capture measurements of existing health risks of exposure to water contaminants, develop solutions for how to reduce the risk of exposure for communities near where contaminated water is found, collect important data for the community that can be used to implement the necessary solutions and train the next generation of citizen scientists and cultivate a love of learning science for students in South Texas.

“According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, in just six Texas counties along the Texas-Mexico border, 38,000 colonia residents do not have access to clean drinking water,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Clean and safe water is an essential component to good health. We are proud that through this partnership with Texas A&M, we will be helping these vital communities safeguard their water and health, ensuring they all have an opportunity to thrive.”

“Through this partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are helping Texas take a big step forward ensuring everyone in South Texas has access to a fundamental need for good health: clean and reliable drinking water,” said Greg Hartman, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Texas A&M University.

The Arsenic Surveillance in Border Communities’ Drinking Water project is a study conducting arsenic surveillance in border communities’ drinking water. The main themes are how to increase public awareness of arsenic exposure in local communities; how to identify individuals at risk for arsenic-induced cancers; and providing a prevention intervention to reduce arsenic exposure in border communities. The primary objectives include 1) evaluating the burden of arsenic exposure in drinking water, 2) evaluating the nutritional status and biomarkers to predict health impacts of chronic arsenic exposure; and 3) assessing the impact of an intervention to reduce arsenic exposure in households using tabletop pitchers. The communities being studied will include households within four colonias and the findings will be compared to those from non-colonia areas, with priority focus being based in Hidalgo County.

“Arsenic exposure from contaminated drinking water increases the risks of diverse cancers and non-cancer diseases,” said Taehyun Roh, PhD, assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Public Health. “Underserved and low-resourced populations relying on unsafe drinking water sources in Texas border communities are disproportionately affected by this. We expect our study will contribute to reducing health disparities in these communities.”

The second Citizen Science focused project will examine the role of community characteristics, knowledge and a locally engaged and trained resident population on water security and common resilience in Texas border communities. The primary objectives are to 1) develop/test adapted Citizen Science training materials, 2) create a field team to conduct the work in the community, 3) conduct focus group meetings to identify community-based water policy steps; and 4) pilot dissemination of citizen science activities to a second border community to help inform future projects. The primary community being studied is the San Carlos area colonias in Hidalgo County due to strong existing relationships that are vital to developing the project’s proof of concept. A second border community will be selected in consultation with Methodist Healthcare Ministries and other key stakeholders to pilot test information dissemination to other border communities.

“This project seeks to instill a love of science and learning with high school students and community members and provide an in-depth assessment of local needs centered on water quality and public health matters,” said Garett Sansom, DrPH, research assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. “We are thrilled to be co-learning with our partners to seek long-term solutions to these complex issues.”

Once the projects are completed in 2024, the findings will be used to create and advocate for public policy solutions aimed at improving the quality of water in some of the most underdeveloped areas in South Texas. The project is a vital first step in creating a proof-of-concept that will then be applied throughout the Texas-Mexico border to improve the lives of these often overlooked communities.

The projects are great examples of how important the long-standing relationship between Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Texas A&M University has been as they continue to work together to address and reduce health disparities. These initiatives seek to create a foundation for safer, stronger communities that have the resources they need to thrive. The two organizations have previously collaborated on several different programs including a Colonia Program Training Academy, a Community Health Worker Resiliency Program and Diabetes Prevention Program.

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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.

About Texas A&M University Health Science Center:

Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) comprises five colleges (dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health) and several centers and institutes with a shared mission of advancing health care for all. We serve the state and beyond with campuses and locations in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Learn more at health.tamu.edu or follow @TAMUHealth on Twitter.

2022 Fiesta Medal Announced

DW Admin on March 29, 2022

If you live in San Antonio, then you know Fiesta is right around the corner – it kicks off March 31 through April 10. This means, it’s time to unveil another beautiful Methodist Healthcare Ministries Fiesta medal.

Our 2022 Fiesta medal design highlights our commitment to supporting resilient families and thriving communities by advancing health equity across South Texas. As you turn the dial on your Fiesta medal, you’ll see through a heart-shaped window which beautifully illustrates our passion for serving our communities. Inside the heart-shaped window, you’ll see different icons symbolizing our services and programs, including:

The Stethoscope: Providing high-quality clinical care services for patients
The Community: Contributing to overall health and well-being of communities through long-term collaboration
The Church: Building relationships with churches and faith communities of all denominations to advance health and well-being
The Handshake: Partnering with others to lead efforts to improve community health and well-being
The Plant: Strengthening underserved communities through strategic grant-making
The Family: Supporting resilient individuals and families

Giveaway Alert

As a special treat, we are giving one of medals away to a lucky follower through a social media giveaway!

The rules to enter are:

Like our posts on Facebook and Instagram
Follow @MHMSTX on Facebook and Instagram
Tag a fiesta-loving friend (each tag is one entry)

The giveaway will end on Friday, April 1 at 11:59 PM. We will announce the winner on Monday, April 4 via the comments section on the post on Facebook and Instagram!

We’re excited to celebrate Fiesta 2022! Stay safe, everyone!

¡Viva Fiesta!

Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church announce new appointment of Director position

DW Admin on March 15, 2022

March 15, 2022 (San Antonio, TX): Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas , Inc. and the Rio Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church announces the appointment of Rev. Dr. Aaron A. Gonzalez to the role of director of church connections and spiritual care at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The appointment comes after the current director Rev. Mickey McCandless—who served in the position for over a decade—announced his plans to retire later this June.

“We celebrate Rev. McCandless for the faithful service he has provided to both the Rio Texas Conference and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. His leadership within both institutions has been instrumental,” said Bishop Robert Schnase. “Rev. McCandless has paved a solid foundation for Rev. Gonzalez to embark upon as he steps into this new role. We look forward to continuing the good works Mickey was so pivotal in shaping with the Rio Texas Conference with Aaron.”

Rev. Gonzalez currently serves as Pastor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. He joined the organization in 2015 under Rev. McCandless’ leadership. In his current role, Rev. Gonzalez provides pastoral care and counseling for all team members and to patients and clients served at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ primary care clinics. As Director, Rev. Gonzalez will serve as a member of the organization’s executive team and primary liaison to Rio Texas Conference. Prior to joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Rev. Gonzalez served as Pastor at Resurrection United Methodist Church and Shepherd’s Gate Community Church in San Antonio.

“We at MHM have been incredibly blessed to have had Rev. McCandless’ counsel and fellowship for the last ten years,” stated Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ CEO Jaime Wesolowski. “The work he has done to strengthen our organizational culture and the connections we have to the faith community across all denominations in South Texas has been invaluable, and we feel incredibly fortunate that Rev. Gonzalez will step into this role and continue building up our ministries in all the communities we serve.”

According to Wesolowski, the director of church connections & spiritual care position is distinct within the organization as it is appointed by the Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference.

“The collaboration with the Bishop is exceptional and underscores the importance of our connection to the church,” stated Wesolowski.

For 27 years Methodist Healthcare Ministries has created access to care for the underserved in South Texas through direct services, public policy analysis and research, strategic grantmaking and community partnerships. Its history goes back much further to 1955 when the former Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church established a charter creating the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital—that hospital would eventually become Methodist Hospital. Later in 1995 the Methodist Hospital’s Board of Trustees formed a 50-50 partnership between HCA Healthcare which created the Methodist Healthcare System. The hospital’s board of trustees also transformed into the Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors which continues to operate under the first charter issued by the former Southwest Texas Conference [now known as the Rio Texas Conference], as amended.

Bishop Schnase underscored the importance of the relationship. “The ministries which have been made possible for the least served in communities across South Texas through the pastors and churches within the Rio Texas Conference that work alongside Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a tribute to the promise John Wesley asked us as faithful followers of Christ to make. Truly through our shared history and connection, we are doing all the good we can in all the ways we can. I know Rev. Gonzalez has a servant leader’s heart and through his leadership within the Conference—and certainly in his new role at Methodist Healthcare Ministries—will be marked by grace and love for Christ at the center of his work.”

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Maverick County Broadband Committee Hosts Kickoff Event for Broadband Initiative & Study

DW Admin on March 14, 2022

Eagle Pass, Texas (March 14, 2022) The Maverick County Broadband Committee hosted a special kickoff event on Tuesday, March 8, to launch Connect Maverick, a community initiative focused on improving broadband access, adoption, and use throughout Maverick County. Members of the Committee shared information with local stakeholders and community residents about internet access in the county and explained how a broadband assessment facilitated by Connected Nation Texas will help.

Connected Nation’s Connected Community Engagement Program is being provided at no cost to Maverick County residents thanks to a $51,000 grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

A livestream of the event is available on Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Facebook page for anyone to view:

https://www.facebook.com/mhmstx/videos/1316396555531083

The Maverick County Broadband Committee is comprised of Maverick County Judge David Saucedo; Eagle Pass Mayor, Rolando Salinas; Eagle Pass Maverick County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director, Judith Canales; Eagle Pass Economic Development Director, Arturo Marquez; Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Director of Information Technology, Sonny Snyder; Eagle Pass ISD Chief Technology Officer, Jose Munoz Jr., Juan Garza from Sul Ross University Office of Information Technology; Oscar Galindo, Maverick County Ag Extension Agent; Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber; Eagle Pass Library Director, Cristina Olivas; Brenda Hoffman, AHEC Eagle Pass: Claudia Wright, SHAC Chairperson Eagle Pass ISD; Pastor Javier Leyva, Pastor FUMC Eagle Pass; Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Christine Yanas, Wesley Nurse, Juliet Martinez, and Wesley Nurse District Manager Patricia Villarreal.

A central key to the kickoff was the launch of the Maverick County Community Broadband Survey for county residents and organizations. The survey results will be critical to developing an assessment of local broadband availabilty and related needs.

Connect Maverick Community Champion, Judy Canales, Executive Director of the Eagle Pass Maverick County Economic Development Alliance said, “The survey is a great opportunity for Maverick County residents, businesses, and institutions to voice their opinions and to help build solutions for improved internet services to benefit the entire community.”

The survey will be accessible through April 30. The Maverick County Broadband Committee’s goal is to engage at least 1,630 households in the survey to ensure adequate representation from the community. Survey results will assist the committee in identifying the unique challenges and opportunities that exist for expanding high-speed internet in Maverick County so that every family, business, and community organization can access the critical resources needed to be connected. The Maverick County Broadband Committee will then work with CN Texas and Methodist Healthcare Ministries to develop recommendations to help close the Digital Divide within the community. To access and complete the short survey, visit: https://www.myconnectedcommunity.org/maverick-county

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a faith-based, nonprofit organization focused on improving the health and wellness of the least served. In Maverick County, Methodist Healthcare Ministries offers free health and wellness services through its Wesley Nurse program, located at the Eagle Pass First United Methodist Church.

“Closing the digital divide in rural 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 for Maverick County residents makes this partnership a priority for our organization.”

Once the survey has been completed by the community, a Technology Action Plan will be developed for the county by leveraging Connected Nation’s Connected Community Engagement Program and will be shaped by the information provided by local stakeholders. For that reason, it’s important to include as much information as possible so that no area is left out of this plan.

The Connected Program has been used in nearly 650 communities across the country to develop county or regional Technology Action Plans that offer both short-term and long-term broadband solutions.

For more information or if you have questions, email info@connectednation.org or head to connectednation.org/texas.

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About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is the statewide subsidiary of the national nonprofit Connected Nation. Our mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.

Connected Nation works with consumers, local community leaders, states, technology providers, and foundations to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. For more information, please visit: connectednation.org and follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.

Inclement Weather Notice: Feb. 3, 2022

DW Admin on February 3, 2022

UPDATED February 3, 2022 at 4:00 pm (San Antonio, Texas): Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries operations will close at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3.

All San Antonio clinic operations and programming will delay opening until 10:00 a.m on Friday, February 4 for uninterrupted service to our patients. The corporate office building will be closed but team members will continue operations virtually observing routine business operating hours. Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow their local school districts to determine needed operational adjustments or closures. Community members are instructed to call their local Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ contact regarding guidance on programs and services via our social media channels and website.

We will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions. If road closures or conditions become unsafe for travel we will send additional guidance on operational adjustments. The safety of our patients, clients and team members is of utmost importance. Visit mhm.org for the latest updates.

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February 3, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas): Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries San Antonio area locations will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary, Wesley Nurse sites and our Corporate Office.

Clinic operations on Friday, February 4 will resume as normal, but we will monitor local weather for changes.

Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services.

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

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

DREAMWEEK: The Future of Health

DW Admin on January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas): Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. was proud to host a virtual panel discussion on the future of health in San Antonio, hosted by DreamWeek / DreamVoice on Monday, January 24, 2022. The conversation with community leaders about the future of healthcare in San Antonio. Topics included moving from a downstream approach to addressing community conditions, how technology is changing the delivery of care and what is needed to ensure the digital divide does not hinder access to tele-health, and how the mindset, perspective and practice of current and future healthcare providers will be foundational to establishing a healthcare environment that is reflective of the diverse communities they serve.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Inclement Weather Notice: Jan. 20, 2022

DW Admin on January 20, 2022

January 19, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas): Due to inclement weather, all Methodist Healthcare Ministries San Antonio area locations will close early at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022. This includes: Wesley Health & Wellness Center; Dixon Health & Wellness Center; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary; George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary, Wesley Nurse sites and our Corporate Office.

Patients who had existing appointments after 2 p.m. will be rescheduled.

Clinic operations on Friday, January 21 will resume virtually. Patients will be contacted with information regarding their telehealth appointment.

Operations outside of the San Antonio area will follow the guidelines of local school districts. Please call your local Methodist Healthcare Ministries contact for guidance on programs and services.

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

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Holiday Closures

DW Admin on December 15, 2021

December 15, 2021 (San Antonio, Texas): All Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, December 23 and Friday, December 24. Operations will resume on Monday, December 27.

Our offices and facilities will also be closed on Friday, December 31. Operations will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Have a safe Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!