News – Page 9 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $22,662 in emergency grant funding to UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry

DW Admin on June 25, 2020

San Antonio, TX (June 25, 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 approved an emergency grant for $22,662 to the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. The School of Dentistry provides dental care to the homeless population at Haven for Hope and COVID-19 has impacted its ability to continue those services.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to supporting partners across South Texas that are on the front lines, providing care to vulnerable populations in need,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Through this additional support, we are ensuring that our trusted partner, UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry can access the critical resources and personal protective equipment they need to care for dental patients at Haven for Hope. In these tough times, we are proud to do all we can to bring more smiles to the world.”

As healthcare organizations continue to provide needed health and dental care to patients in this challenging environment, the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to ensuring the health and safety of both patients and providers. As dental care is delivered in close proximity to patients, COVID-19 clinical guidelines for dentistry include several new protocols to prevent exposure and limit the spread of the virus during dental procedures. This funding will augment the dental engineering and work practice controls needed to prevent cross-contamination from COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the services provided to the homeless residents of Haven for Hope by limiting these assistances to only emergency care,” said Juanita Lozano-Pineda, DDS, MPH, associate dean for external affairs with the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. “Thanks to funds provided by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the infection-control personal protective items and additional equipment that controls aerosol generation during procedures will all help protect our patients, dental students, residents and faculty from the highly contagious virus. This will allow students and residents to better understand some of the engineering controls needed to practice dentistry safely, as we expand to resume comprehensive care services to a vulnerable population that is in great need of oral health care.”

This award is in addition to the $753,228 grant funding Methodist Healthcare Ministries already provided to the School of Dentistry in 2020. The School of Dentistry has been a funded partner of Methodist Healthcare Ministries since 2002 and has received $8,468,521 to fund a number of its programs. Of that funding, nearly $2.5 million has been awarded specifically for work the School of Dentistry performs at Haven for Hope, including dental equipment, PPE and urgent care.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has awarded over $1.5 million in COVID-19 emergency grant funding to nonprofits and faith-based organizations since the pandemic began. Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to providing 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. Additionally, staff across the organization’s 74-county service area—including Wesley Nurses and community based counseling staff—continue to provide virtual care and resource assistance to the most vulnerable.

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Statement from Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. on Racial Injustice

DW Admin on June 6, 2020

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s long standing mission is “Serving Humanity to Honor God” and our vision is “To be the leader for improving wellness of the least served.” 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.

We believe that by nurturing resilient families—regardless of one’s spirituality, income, race, gender, or sexual orientation—we help communities to thrive. And, only when everyone has access to quality healthcare, a good education, meaningful job opportunities, as well as safe and just living environments, can communities truly thrive.

The disenfranchisement of people of color in our community through policies and practices contributing to systemic racial oppression, including the suppression of opportunities to reach one’s full potential for health and life, does harm to all families and prevents every community from thriving.

As an organization rooted in the traditions of the Methodist faith, we proclaim, with the 2017-2020 Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, recognition of racism as sin and affirm the ultimate and temporal worth of all persons. We rejoice in the gifts that every racial group and culture bring to our total life and stand with our partners, patients, clients, and the communities we serve in rejecting all expressions of racism and policies and practices that erode inclusion and diminish health equity for all.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $1.1 million as part of COVID-19 Relief Efforts

DW Admin on April 27, 2020

San Antonio, TX (April 27, 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 $1,151,443 million in emergency grant funding to 46 nonprofit, health and social service agencies in its 74-county service area for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

“During these unprecedented times, Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to increasing access to care for the least served across South Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “This investment ensures that our partners have additional support in continuing to provide critical physical and mental health care and essential resources for our friends and neighbors impacted by this pandemic. We are proud to stand with our communities who are hurting and need a little extra help today. We know that they are resilient and that by working together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need.”

While $433,409 was awarded to agencies in and around Bexar County, special consideration was given to underserved communities that do not have the same degree of philanthropic support as San Antonio. To ensure there is equity in the accessibility to response and recovery resources in Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area, $718,034 is being awarded to agencies that primarily serve outside Bexar County.

Grants will cover a three-month period beginning April 1 through June 30. Some of the organizations receiving this funding include:

Central Texas Food Bank (multiple counties), $50,000 for food assistance
Christian Assistance Ministries (San Antonio), $35,500 to supply handwashing stations, showers and hygiene supplies for homeless people
Coastal Bend Food Bank (multiple counties), $100,000 for food assistance
Concho Valley Regional Food Bank (multiple counties), $25,000 for food assistance
Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (multiple counties), $50,000 for food assistance
Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (multiple counties), $100,000 for food assistance
Fuerza Unida (San Antonio), $7,425 for an emergency food pantry
I Care San Antonio, $33,435 to continue operations during the crisis
Jewish Family Service (San Antonio), $32,529 to support a collaborative six-agency mental health response to low-income students and families sheltering in place, through telehealth/mobile mental health resources.
Mission 911 (Corpus Christi), $25,000to help isolate and care for homeless individuals who need to “shelter in place”
Phoenix Center (multiple counties in Marble Falls area), $10,000 for telehealth services to provide trauma-informed care to underserved rural children and families
San Antonio Food Bank (multiple counties), $200,000 for food assistance
South Texas Food Bank (multiple counties), $75,000 for food assistance
Texas Diaper Bank (multiple counties), $50,000 for families in need of diapers and other hygiene supplies
The Children’s Shelter (San Antonio), $15,000 to meet increased demand and additional costs due to sheltering in place

Through this funding, Methodist Healthcare Ministries granted $600,000 to the seven Food Banks covering the 74-county service area, as a strategic emergency response, and $342,554 to 31 churches and church agencies to help respond to basic needs in urban and rural communities throughout South Texas.

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.” Details of this announcement to be released publicly soon.

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 and will begin to offer recreation & enrichment program offerings via Zoom 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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Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Adjusts Operations After First COVID-19 Positive Exposure

DW Admin on April 6, 2020

San Antonio, TX (April 5, 2020) – On Saturday, April 4, 2020, leaders from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. were informed that a team member who was working at its Wesley Health & Wellness Center during the week of March 23-27 has tested positive for community-acquired COVID-19.

Risk of patient exposure is very low as the infected individual had no patient contact, nor are they part of the facility’s medical operations. Additionally, all patient care had already been adjusted drastically to reduce direct contact in observance of social distancing guidelines. Those adjustments shifted care to virtual visits when possible, and drive-up care when necessary by medical professionals in full personal protective equipment.

The team member has not come in contact with any Methodist Healthcare Ministries team members or entered any of its facilities since experiencing symptoms. All potentially affected team members have been notified and are taking proper precautionary measures.

To mitigate any risk for further infection, the Wesley Health & Wellness Center will be closed during the week of April 5-12 for thorough disinfection cleaning. All patient care will be conducted exclusively through virtual visits until Monday, April 13. The only disruption to patient care will be the rescheduling of medical lab appointments.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries had already closed operations and instituted work-from-home measures for employees at its two School Based Health Centers, Corporate Office and Dixon Health & Wellness Center. The organization continues 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.

About Methodist HealthcareMinistries 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.

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Methodist Healthcare Ministries Receives Re-accreditation from Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists

DW Admin on April 4, 2020

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Apr. 2, 2020)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program received reaccreditation from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists’ (ADCES) Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (DEAP). This reaccreditation enables the organization to continue providing quality prevention and management education to patients with diabetes and prediabetes.

“Our priority is to ensure that our diabetes education efforts provide our patients and clients with the best opportunities to enhance their levels of learning and comprehension of the disease,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Our re-accreditation is mission critical and a testament to our team’s tireless work to ensure the least served have access to the best information and treatment for this chronic condition that ails so many in the communities we serve.”

Since its implementation in 2012, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Diabetes Self-Management Education Program has helped hundreds of individuals take control of their diabetes through prevention and management safety education. Their progress is evidenced by improvements in HA1c, BMI, and blood pressure readings. The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is available through Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Nutrition & Health Education department and offered at the Wesley and Dixon Health & Wellness Centers.

The ADCES is dedicated to improving prediabetes, diabetes and cardiometabolic care through innovative education, management and support. Through DEAP, the ADCES aims to empower healthcare professionals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to deliver diabetes education, management and support. The official designation was made on Feb. 15, 2020.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Dixon Health & Wellness Center Suspending On-Site Operations

DW Admin on March 23, 2020

San Antonio (March 22, 2020)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based not-for-profit that owns and operates two integrated-care clinics in San Antonio is suspending all on-site operations at its Dixon Health & Wellness Center located at 4212 E. Southcross; the building will not be accessible to the public during this closure. All Dixon Health & Wellness Center patient appointments are being rescheduled or transitioned to the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Some services may be available virtually via telephone or video call. These adjustments will allow for increased risk-mitigation and continuity of care. Patients can call (210) 922-6922 for more information or with questions about virtual appointments.

Hours of operation at Wesley Health & Wellness Center have also been adjusted. Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 services will be offered three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. until further notice. Patients will be seen by appointment only and will be asked to remain in their vehicles upon arrival where a clinic representative will greet them and provide assistance. Other services such as emergeny assistance may be available. Patients should call in advance to discuss options. All community programming at Wesley Health & Wellness Center, which includes youth, adult and senior activities, have also been temporarily suspended until further notice. For clinical and community programming operations updates, visit www.mhm.org.

WHO: Dixon Health & Wellness Center

WHAT: Suspension of services and building closure until further notice

WHERE: 4212 E. Southcross, San Antonio, TX 78222

WHEN: Monday, March 23, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. until further notice

WHY: Consolidating operations at Wesley Health & Wellness Center due to COVID-19 public health concerns

Note: Neither of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ health & wellness centers are COVID-19 screening/testing sites.

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Two Southside Clinics Adjusting Operations to Half-Day to Incorporate COVID-19 Preparedness

DW Admin on March 16, 2020

San Antonio, TX (March 16, 2020)– Methodist HealthcareMinistries of South Texas, Inc.– a private, faith-based not-for-profit that owns and operates two integrated-care clinics in San Antonio and two School Based Health Centers in the surrounding area will adjust its clinical operating hours beginning March 17, 2020.

In San Antonio, both the Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center will adjust operating hours to 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The adjusted hours will ensure proper COVID-19 protocols are in place following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local best practices for social distancing to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus among the vulnerable populations served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The organization has already suspended its community programming—including parenting classes and recreation and enrichment activities for youth, adults and seniors—until April 13 in an effort to create the safest environment of care possible. Following district closures, the SCUC and Marion ISD clinics will be closed until further notice.

In addition to the modified hours, both clinics have increased their sanitization schedule to ensure all hard surfaces are disinfected and begun screening all guests through a single entry point for COVID-19 indicators to determine how best to care for them.

Both the amended operating schedule and adjusted sanitization and patient entrance process allow for increased risk-mitigation while continuing to provide affordable, high quality care for the least-served in the San Antonio area. Patients and clients can call (210) 922-6922 for more information about appointments. For clinical and community programming operations updates, visit www.mhm.org.

WHO: Methodist HealthcareMinistries of South Texas, Inc.

WHAT: Two southside clinics adjusting patient hours to 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m in response to COVID-19 public health concerns.

WHERE: Wesley Health & Wellness Center (1406 Fitch Street, San Antonio, TX 78211) and Dixon Health & Wellness Center (4212 E. Southcross, San Antonio, TX 78222)

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to Friday, March 20, 2020

WHY: Adjusting operations moving forward to best serve patients admidst COVID-19 public health concerns.

Note: Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ health & wellness centers are not COVID-19 screening/testing sites.

Hogg Foundation Partners with Methodist Healthcare Ministries for 2020 Census

DW Admin on February 13, 2020

AUSTIN, Texas (February 13, 2020) – The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health is pleased to announce that as part of its $2.1 million Texas Communities Count initiative, it has partnered with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. to co-fund four of the 28 organizations that received funds for the initiative. The funds support these organizations’ complete count efforts in Texas for the 2020 U.S. Census.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries generously gifted the Hogg Foundation a $210,000 grant to support the four grantees. Thanks to their gift, the availability of funds for other worthy projects was significantly expanded.

The primary focus of Texas Communities Count is to aid collaborative approaches that will reach traditionally hard-to-count (HTC) populations, communities and geographic areas throughout the state. The goal is to encourage participation in the 2020 Census so that every person in Texas is counted. The four Methodist Healthcare Ministries-supported grantees cover a wide region of South Texas and their activities in the region help ensure that the initiative has the widest possible impact.

The four grantees are:

Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network: Nuestra Voz Cuenta: Census 2020. Focusing on Hidalgo and Cameron counties with a three-phase plan targeting immigrants, rural communities and colonias.
Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. (REAL): Cada Persana Cuenta (Each Person Counts & Matters). Program focuses on 12 counties in the Coastal Bend with a four-phased plan targeting the colonias, raising awareness and providing onboard assistance with completing forms for transportation clients.
Southwest Area Regional Transit (SWART): SWART Sees 2020. Program will servie nine rural counties in the middle Rio Grande Valley area and program will feature outreach to transportation clients, as well as in-community locations such as adult day care centers and job fairs.
Texas Association of Community Development Corporations: Rio Grande Valley Census Complete Count. Program will serve eight counties along the Texas-Mexico border, from Brownsville to Laredo, and feature in-person outreach to low-income and vulnerable populations who typically trust the staff at community development corporations (CDCs).

All told, 28 counties in South Texas will be touched in some way by the work of these grantees. In addition to determining political representation and district boundaries for every level of government, an accurate and complete census is necessary to ensure fair allocation of federal dollars for resources, services and infrastructure that support Texans’ everyday quality of life.

“Making sure that all Texans are counted and that the state receives its fair share of federal funding is a large and complex undertaking and we are proud to join the effort alongside great partners such as the Hogg Foundation.” said Jaime Wesolowski, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We know 71 out of the 74 counties we serve in South Texas are medically underserved. A complete count is vital to help families living in these areas access resources that are critically important to their health and wellness, such as healthy foods through the SNAP program, early childhood education opportunities through HEAD Start and other important programs that will help to create resilient families and thriving communities across Texas.

“The Census is a unique opportunity for philanthropy across the state to come together to affirm shared values of equity and inclusiveness.” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation and senior associate vice president for diversity and community engagement at The University of Texas at Austin. “We are proud to stand with Methodist Healthcare Ministries in this effort.”

“With their presence in South Texas, Methodist Healthcare Ministries understands the stakes for their communities,” said Crystal Viagran, director of finance and operations for the Hogg Foundation and project lead for the Texas Communities Count initiative. “Their participation is a signal to others that an accurate 2020 Census is critical to the well-being of the people of Texas.”

Map of the counties impacted by the Hogg Foundation-Methodist Healthcare Ministries partnership

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ABOUT METHODIST HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES

ABOUT THE HOGG FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Established in 1940, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health envisions a future in which the people of Texas thrive in communities that support mental health and well-being. Using a variety of approaches, including grantmaking, convening, research and public policy, the foundation works collaboratively to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life.

Statement on Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Decision Regarding the Affordable Care Act

DW Admin on December 23, 2019

On Dec. 18, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in the Texas v. United States case concerning the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law, passed in 2010, provides millions of Americans, including more than one million Texans, with access to health care coverage. The court ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and sent the case back to a court in Texas to determine how to move forward.

While the legal case runs its course through the judicial system, it is important that consumers who have recently secured their insurance through the healthcare exchange understand they still have coverage. Methodist Healthcare Ministries will remain committed and engaged in our proactive efforts to increase access to care for the least served across Texas. We are called to do, in the words of John Wesley, all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times, to all the people we can, for as long as we can. Whether it is through the direct services provided through our clinical and regional operations, the resources provided to our funded partners in South Texas or the policies and best practices our advocacy agenda supports – Methodist Healthcare Ministries will continue our efforts to ensure we are supporting resilient families and thriving communities.

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Local Families Received Decorated Trees at Annual Christmas Tree Giveaway

DW Admin on December 14, 2019

San Antonio (Dec. 13, 2019)– 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 seventh consecutive year to donate about 200 decorated Christmas trees and holiday wreaths to several underserved families in San Antonio. As part of their annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan participate in a tree decorating or wreath decorating contest. Following the competition, the trees and wreaths were donated to Methodist Healthcare Ministries to give to a family in need. (View footage from the 2018 event.)

This year, staff at Methodist Healthcare Ministries also participated in their own decorating contest to add even more trees to the event.“This annual tradition truly brings our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” to life and it is one of our team members’ favorite events. It is such a blessing to see the joy and holiday cheer on the faces of the children and the families we serve,” said Jaime Weslolowski, President & CEO at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are grateful for the Methodist Healthcare System for putting so much of their time and energy into decorating these trees with love and helping us spread some holiday cheer.”

The people receiving the trees were identified from existing patients and clients of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ clinics and parenting programs. This population generally makes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, lacks health insurance and often cannot affort the holiday gifts and niceties many people take for granted.

The Christmas trees decorated by employees from Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital were donated to families at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Guests were invited to enjoy some holiday treats and entertainment before selecting their own tree. Trained staff from Methodist Hospital were also on hand to install donated car seats for families who were also in need of a safe car seat to protect their child.

“We are so excited to give these trees to the Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the community we support”, commented Dan Miller, CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital. “The community gives a lot back to us: they give us purpose, they give us a reason to be here and a reason to come to work every day. In this season of giving, I think it’s most important for the gift we give every day, which is the opportunity to make a difference in our community. When I think about all of the Christmas trees we have here, my hope is that we’re able to put a tree where there wasn’t a tree. These trees are not only a symbol of our mission to serve humanity to honor God but they’re also a symbol of love and Christmas spirit. We’re excited for families to find a tree that means a lot to them and gets to have a special place in their home.”

This year, for the first time, a similar event was planned at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center. Christmas trees and wreaths were decoarated and donated by the employees of Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant and Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

“It’s a special and memorable way for our employees to give back to the families and the community we care for every day. It’s one more example of how we are committed to supporting resilient families and building a thriving community in our own backyard,” concluded Wesolowski.

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About Methodist HealthcareMinistries 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. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio TexasConference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest health care 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 Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare System – San Antonio is the largest provider of health care in South and Central Texas with 30 facilities, including ten hospitals and four free-standing emergency departments, serving over 608,000 inpatients and outpatients annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 11,000, making Methodist Healthcare the second largest private employer in San Antonio. The Texas Quality Foundation selected Methodist Healthcare to receive the 2014 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. Methodist Healthcare is the first and only health care system in South Texas to receive this award, which requires an organization to demonstrate its commitment to the highest quality standards. With more than 2,700 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. Visit www.SAHealth.comto learn more.

Treating physical and mental health together improves chronic conditions

DW Admin on December 12, 2019

San Antonio, TX (Dec. 12, 2019)– A new U.S. – Mexico border study shows that providing physical and mental health care together improves conditions like diabetes and depression in South Texas.

The study focused on improving wellness for low-income, uninsured Hispanic residents who face multiple barriers to accessing health care and are also more likely to have chronic health conditions, like diabetes. And almost 40 percent of Hispanic patients with Type 2 diabetes also have depression, making it even more critical to get the right mix of physical and mental health care.

That care is hard to find: Most counties in the Rio Grande Valley are federally designated as Medically Underserved Areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas. For every 100,000 residents, there are only 15.5 family physicians.

A five-year project called Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas, studied the effectiveness of integrating physical and mental health care in a single visit, which enables providers to more effectively coordinate care so that neither physical nor mental health care needs are neglected.

This approach, called Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH), is taking hold in many areas of the country, but until this project, had never been studied in low-income, uninsured, predominantly Hispanic populations.

Connecting communities to care

Sí Texas was developed by San Antonio-based Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. The health care non-profit has focused its services in South Texas for nearly 25 years. Communities near the border and along the coastal bend offered the ideal population and health care access conditions for the study, but an added challenge in that South Texas is often ignored when it comes to grant funding and philanthropy; organizations that might provide individual grants in the region aren’t large enough to fund a project of this scope, and 7 of the 12 counties in the project have no foundations that fund health initiatives.

“We know that physical, mental and spiritual health together are the key to wellness, but for many low-income South Texas residents, realities like lack of transportation, and other social or economic factors get in the way of access to health care, says Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Border communities and people living in rural areas are especially impacted. We work to improve health equity in the region, and we want the partners we work with to have the resources to be community health leaders in their own right. Sí Texas was an opportunity to deliver more effective care and to support sustainable operational growth for providers and clinics in South Texas.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries created a partnership between a federal agency that provides funding for community initiatives, and regional and local funders – together, the resources added up to $60 million to study the effectiveness of IBH in counties where income and access to health care are among the lowest in the nation and conditions like diabetes and depression are among the highest.

8 clinics, 12 counties in the study

The major funding came from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Harlingen-based Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation; several smaller, regional co-investors also contributed. Eight health care organizations in 12 counties were selected to implement IBH programs, study the effectiveness of the approach with patients who had diagnoses for conditions like diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, anxiety and obesity, and evaluate the results and the impact.

“Sí Texas addressed real barriers in South Texas, where working, poor residents face so many obstacles to accessing health care; there’s a tremendous need to find better ways to treat these common chronic conditions,” says Jennifer Knoulton, RN, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vice president of regional operations. “We’ve been working in South Texas communities for years and we’re familiar with the unique needs of low-income, uninsured people living in this region. Transforming the type of care people have access to can change lives over generations. This project was important to us from a care delivery standpoint, but also because we believe that the best health care treats the body, mind and spirit. Sí Texas was a way for us to introduce IBH and expand whole-person health care in South Texas.”

The eight clinics selected for the project were a diverse group of local mental health authorities, federally qualified health clinics, primary care charity clinics and academic institutions operating clinics in the communities targeted for the project. Each clinic designed its own IBH program for the unique needs of the people it cares for. Altogether, the project spanned 12 counties, chosen for their federal status on poverty rates, health outcomes and access to providers. During the study, Sí Texas provided IBH health care for 51,937 low-income, uninsured patients and clients.

IBH works in South Texas

The results confirm that IBH is effective in treating chronic health and mental health conditions in low-income, uninsured, predominantly Hispanic populations. The success of the study in South Texas has powerful implications for successful health care delivery outcomes in parts of the country facing similar conditions.

Depression and HbA1c (a key diabetes marker) improved for patients who received IBH care across the project, compared to a control group which received regular standard of care services. Also, the effect of Si Texas’ IBH care was stronger among participants with diabetes, depression, or a diagnosis of Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, and among females 49+ years of age.

“What we learned validates that integrating mental, physical and spiritual healthcare improves whole-person wellness,” added Wesolowski of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are grateful for the courage and perseverance of the patients, providers and organizations who braved this journey.”

For more information and resources, or to read the full Sí Texas Social Innovation for a Health South Texas report, visit mhm.org/sitexas/.

Si Texas facts

Almost 40 percent of Hispanic patients with Type 2 diabetes also have depression.[i]
In the Sí Texas project area, residents are at a higher rate of getting cancer, diabetes and heart disease than those who live in urban areas, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The Rio Grande Valley has a critical health care provider shortage; there are only 15.5 family physicians per 100,000 people.[ii]
Sí Texas was a $60 million health care delivery redesign project, with a unique matching fund structure through the Corporation for National and Community Service, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and other smaller community co-funders.
Sí Texas marked the first time the Corporation for National and Community Service – a federal agency – provided funds to a faith-based organization like Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
The eight participating clinics: Hope Family Health Center; Nuestra Clinica del Valle; Texas A&M International University; Tropical Texas Behavioral Health; University of Texas School of Public Health – Brownsville; University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; REAL, Inc.; Mercy Ministries of Laredo.
In communities near the U.S. – Mexico border, a health care delivery project of this scale – with an integrated behavioral health approach – had never been studied before.
The results show that IBH is effective in treating chronic health and mental health conditions in low-income, uninsured, predominantly Hispanic populations, with implications for successful outcomes in similar conditions.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

[i]Mier, Nelda, et al. “Health-related quality of life among Mexican Americans living in colonias at the Texas–Mexico border” Social Science & Medicine Volume 8, Issue 66 (2008): Page 1760 – 1771.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027795360700665X

Parenting Program Receives National Recognition as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate

DW Admin on December 12, 2019

San Antonio, TX (Dec. 12, 2019)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Parents as Teachers program has earned a prestigious endorsement from the Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the PATNC’s international network. The official designation was made on Oct. 1, 2019.

Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.

“To earn the Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Shannon Pointon, L.M.S.W., Parenting Program Manager at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering the highest quality services to the children and families we serve.”

Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes, according to Pointon. It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed. Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ accountability and credibility to the community and the partner organizations with which they work.

“All of us at Methodist Healthcare Ministres are incredibly proud of the work our Parenting program puts into helping us build reslilient families and thriving communities in the places we serve” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Parents as Teacher program provides bimonthly personal home visits to families and monthly group connection events focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being. The program supports parents throughout pregnancy until their children enter school full-time providing health, hearing, vision and developmental screenings for eligible children using approved screening tools and methods. The program also connects families to resources and help them overcome any barriers to accessing those resources. For more information, visit www.mhm.org/services/parenting-programs

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About Methodist HealthcareMinistries 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 Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers (PAT) builds strong communities, thriving families and children that are healthy, safe and ready to learn. The internationally-recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by 35 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. PAT currently serves nearly 200,000 families in all 50 U.S. states, 115 Tribal organizations, six other countries and one U.S. territory. Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc., is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Parents as Teachers affiliates operate in various settings, including health departments, hospitals and schools, faith-based and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit parentsasteachers.org or Twitter @NatlPAT.