News – Page 8 – 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.

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

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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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

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.

84 Deserving Local Families Will Receive Decorated Trees at Eighth Annual Christmas Tree Giveaway at Wesley Health & Wellness Center

DW Admin on December 18, 2020

San Antonio (Dec. 18, 2020) – 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 – partnered with Methodist Healthcare System for the eighth consecutive year to donate 84 decorated Christmas trees to several underserved families in San Antonio. As part of their annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital and Methodist Metropolitan Hospital participate in a tree decorating contest. Following the competition, the trees, along with 50 wreaths decorated by Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital team members, were given to a families in need served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. (View footage from the 2019 event.)

“This year’s Christmas Tree distribution is extra special to us. This is a tradition we know our patients and clients very much appreciate and for which we at Methodist Healthcare Ministries feel embodies our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God,’ so we took special care to ensure the trees could be transported and delivered in the safest way possible,” said Jaime Weslolowski, President & CEO at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are incredibly grateful to the Methodist Healthcare System for putting so much of their time and energy into decorating these trees and sharing them with the families we serve, bringing hope and spreading holiday cheer at an especially challenging time for so many.”

The families receiving Christmas trees were selected from Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ existing patients and clients who receive care through its Parenting Programs, Recreation & Enrichemnt services, Behavioral Health and School Based Health Center in Schertz. Due to additional social distancing precautions put in place, the trees were delivered to the families in their vehicles through a dirve-thru distribution at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries announces new vice president of organizational excellence

DW Admin on December 14, 2020

San Antonio (December 14, 2020) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is pleased to announce Oanh Maroney-Omitade has been selected to serve as the organization’s new vice president of organizational excellence. Maroney-Omitade has been with the organization since 2000, most recently serving as the vice president of clinical operations.

As the vice president of organizational excellence, Maroney-Omitade will report to the President & CEO and will support the development and deployment of an overall strategic roadmap for the organization. She will collaborate with leaders across the organization to prioritize and implement opportunities to improve, enhance and integrate organizational systems and also help to develop and implement its strategy for equity, diversity and inclusion work as a foundational element for organizational transformation.

“Oanh is a leader with a proven track record of excellence and profound institutional knowledge, which is critically needed to drive the type of changes that are necessary for reimagining how we operate within and across functions, to support the effective implementation of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ strategic work,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Her stellar leadership style and tireless efforts in furthering our mission are greatly appreciated and I have every confidence she will pursue her new role with the same passion, dedication and drive that she’s contributed to our organization over the last 20 years.”

Maroney-Omitade first joined Methodist Healthcare Ministries in 2000 as the Parenting Programs Manager before becoming Director of Community Programs in 2006. In 2013, she was elevated to serving as the Vice President for Community Health Programs & Organizational Learning before her most recent role as Vice President of Clinical Operations, which she has held since 2015. Her mission-driving leadership is evidenced through her guidance of several critical organizational changes throughout her tenure. Initiatives such as acquiring and implementing the organization’s first electronic health record program, drafting HIPAA policies and developing the internal trainings needed to ensure compliance, as well as spearheading changes to new hire orientation processes that continue to support and improve the organization today.

Oanh earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Oanh was named “One of San Antonio’s Rising Stars” by the San Antonio Business Journal as part of their 40 Under 40 honorees in 2003 and has also appeared in the 2014 inaugural edition of "Who’s Who San Antonio Women." This summer, she was recognized as a 2020 “Health Care Hero” by the San Antonio Business Journal. She is an alumnae of Leadership Women Texas and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

As Maroney-Omitade transitions into this new role, Leticia Ortiz-Johnson, who currently serves as Director of Medical Operations & Clinical Services, will serve as Interim Vice President of Clinical Operations.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Announces New Vice President of Community Investments

DW Admin on November 9, 2020

San Antonio (November 9, 2020) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Jordana Barton as its new vice president of community investment. Barton joins the organization after spending more than 20 years of her career successfully leading community development efforts across South Texas.

As the Vice President of Community Investment, Barton will oversee Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ strategic grant-making and seeking processes to provide strategic leadership, vision, and management in the initiation, execution, and successful completion of mission driven community investments across the 74 counties the organization serves. Also, as a thought leader to the organization, she’ll play an important role in supporting the organization’s mission and vision by aligning the philanthropic strategy with the organization’s overall strategic plan.

Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, stated “We are extremely blessed to have Jordana Barton join our team, bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience in community investment to further strengthen our efforts in supporting resilient families and thriving communities across South Texas.”

Before joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Barton served as Senior Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – San Antonio Branch where she supported the Federal Reserve System’s economic growth objectives by promoting community and economic development. Her focus included digital inclusion, workforce development, healthy communities, financial education, affordable housing, small business development and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Barton currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Digital Inclusion Alliance San Antonio and the collective impact project, Digital Opportunity for the Rio Grande Valley. She is also on the Board of Directors of SA2020 and the Advisory Board of the Texas Health Improvement Network of the University of Texas System.

In 2018, she received the “Federal Policy Champion Award” from the Coalition for Local Internet Choice and the “Community Broadband Hero Award” from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. In 2020, she was named “Salud Hero” (health hero) by Salud America, a program of UT Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. Barton earned her Masters’ in Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. She is a native South Texan and grew up in the rural South Texas border community of Benavides.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Emergency Food Distribution provides 1,200 Boxes of Food for Families

DW Admin on November 3, 2020

Poteet, TX (October 30, 2020) – A drive-thru food distribution for Atascosa County residents was held at Hosanna Baptist Church in Poteet providing 1,248 pre-packaged boxes of food for families in need in Atascosa County and the surrounding communities. Each box contained 30 pounds of fresh produce, dried beans, meat and dairy.

The event was organized by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., Methodist Hospital South, the Health Collaborative, Segovia Food Distributors, HCA HealthTrust and Hosanna Baptist Church, which came together to provide neighbors in need with a little extra support during these challenging times.

This food distribution event, and the one organized and led by the same group a week prior, was particularly impactful as COVID-19 has severely limited regular community food distributions since March. When the possibility of cancellation appeared due to food delivery challenges caused by inclement weather, each organization responded quickly to reorganize volunteers and advertising from the original date of Oct. 28 so that hungry families didn’t go without.

In 2019, the Health Collaborative released the Bexar County and Atascosa County Community Health Needs Assessment Report. The report stated an estimated 9 percent of the total Atascosa County population and 21% of children are food insecure.

The Atascosa County areas with the highest food security are in the Poteet area and in the Southwest area of the County.
http://healthcollaborative.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Community2019_CHNAReport_compressed.pdf

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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.