Tag: Blog

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. provides practical support through parenting programs to help parents and guardians learn parenting skills so they will be more confident and competent leaders within their families. As part of this initiative, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to announce a new Parents Helping Parents site located at Trinity United Methodist Church in San Antonio (6800 Wurzbach Rd.).

Launched in 1999, Parents Helping Parents is a parent support group designed to build stronger, healthier communities by strengthening and encouraging family life. As one of four distinct Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Parenting Programs (Meld; Parents Helping Parents; Parents as Teachers™ and the Nurturing Parenting Programs®), Parents Helping Parents is volunteer-based and built upon the belief that parents are the first teachers and best advocates for their children. Parents Helping Parents focuses on areas of health and safety, child development and guidance, family management, personal growth and other topics that promote positive parenting skills. Sites are established after a group recognizes a need in the community. Trinity United Methodist Church was identified as a Parents Helping Parents site at the request of Pastor Margret Decker who received assistance by Mickey McCandless, director of church connections for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Groups meet once a week for a two-hour session for a period of 10-12 weeks. Groups also select at least two volunteers, willing to be trained by Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Parenting Program Coordinators, to serve as facilitators.

Trinity United Methodist Church will become an active Parents Helping Parents site following facilitator training in January 2016. Groups are provided with ongoing technical assistance and a full program curriculum written by professionals in child development and family resources. Three courses are available both in English and Spanish: Teen Parents; Parents of Children 3 & Up; and Parents Raising Teens.

As the only Parents Helping Parents group in San Antonio, Trinity United Methodist Church aims to provide parenting support not only to moms, dads, grandparents and guardians of children in their surrounding community, but to anyone who is interested in wanting to learn more and share their experiences.

Currently, eight out of 14 Parents Helping Parents sites are active. The coming year looks to produce even more growth with new sites in Boerne, New Braunfels, Helotes, Eagle Pass and Pleasanton. With the collaboration of Wesley Nurses, program needs and volunteers will be identified, allowing Parents Helping Parents coordinators to build key relationships with community partners all over South Texas.

Parents Helping Parents is always looking to implement new groups in different service areas. If you'd like to learn more about Parents Helping Parents or would like to start a group in your area, please contact Methodist Healthcare Ministries at info@mhm.org or (210) 692-0234.

Editor's Note: Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurses are known to provide health education and coordination of care in the communities where they serve across South Texas. What many folks may not know, is that they are also advocates for local health initiatives that impact communities far beyond the walls of the church where they serve.

Signy Sizer, a Wesley Nurse in Port Lavaca, recently had an opportunity to support the passage of a 'Smoke Free' ban in her community, and her experience is a testament to the diverse, and indispensable, part Wesley Nurses play in influencing population health.

We caught up with Signy to learn about the Smoke Free ban in Port Lavaca and the part she played in its passage.

Question: What was the initiative and how did you get involved?
In April, 2015, Port Lavaca City Council instituted a city ordinance to ban smoking in public places. This ban was lifted in August when registered voters petitioned to either have the ordinance repealed, or to call a special referendum. This is when my husband and I became involved, calling city council members, and encouraged friends to do the same, to let council know we supported the ordinance and did not want the issue dropped.

Question: How does this type of local policy issue fit into the work you do in the Wesley Nurse Program?
"Smoke Free Port Lavaca" is important to me personally as well as professionally. Secondhand smoke is serious concern for employees of businesses where smoking is allowed. Third-hand smoke extends exposure to families and can cause long term health risks. There are few employment opportunities in small towns, and, as we are well aware, employers of restaurants and bars do not typically offer health insurance. People most affected by second/third-hand smoke are MHM's target audience, those most vulnerable within our communities.

"Smoke Free" campaigns align perfectly with the Wesley Nurse role of assisting individuals and communities achieve improved health and wellness, as well as MHM's value of "Making a Difference."

Question: Who were some of the other players in this effort, and were there any challenges you faced?
I give my husband credit for spearheading this challenge. He enlisted friends who worked the "Smoke Free Victoria" campaign. With their help he connected with Blake Windham, Texas Grassroots Management of the American Cancer Society (ACS); Jay Arnold, Senior Director of Local Policy, American Heart Association; and Jim Arnold, Arnold Public Affairs. This group met with our small grassroots team weekly and they directed the campaign. Vicki Krcha, Wesley Nurse district manager, encouraged me to contact Chris Yanas, MHM's director of governmental affairs too. On behalf of MHM, Chris contacted local city officials. She followed our campaign progress, lending support and practical advice.

It was so interesting to work with the policy staff and to be a part of their strategy sessions. Their advice included: don't engage in 'Smoke Free' arguments—keep your focus on health, and keep the initiative low key; talk to people you know and encourage those who are in agreement to vote! So that's what we did.

We retrieved voting lists, posted signs and talked to individuals. The ACS provided funding for telephone polls and reminders to vote for those who were voiced agreement with "Smoke Free," as well as signage and mail-outs. Local physicians served as media spokespersons. ACS also posted a "Smoke Free Port Lavaca" Facebook page. Comments on the Facebook page were negative and the ACS staff warned us that they were very concerned about the election outcome.

Question: What was the outcome of the campaign and all your efforts?
The good news is Port Lavaca voters endorsed "Smoke Free Port Lavaca," 696 to 213 in the November 3rd election! This change can only improve the quality of life for citizens of Calhoun County.

I learned to: get help from people who have experience; talk to your friends, neighbors and acquaintances—you never know who will be your strongest ally. Be resourceful and stay positive!

MHM employees have a passion for total wellness for all. You just never know where this journey may lead you.

The Texas Women's Healthcare Coalition (TWHC) – an organization largely funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. that promotes access to preventive health care for all Texas women – hosted an event on Dec. 9 in McAllen, Texas, to inform Rio Grande Valley community members of recent developments in women's health care and state women's health programs. Dr. Janet Realini, chair of TWHC and president of Healthy Futures of Texas, presented at the event, as well as Lesley French, associate commissioner of women's health services at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The event provided an opportunity for TWHC to engage with community stakeholders who serve a population of women in particular need of a strong women's health care system. Nearly 45 attendees represented more than 20 organizations including: Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the Cameron County Health Department, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Nurse-Family Partnership, family planning clinics, private practices and Title X providers. Most attendees expressed interest in wanting to learn more about TWHC and staying informed of its efforts.

The event also helped strengthen the relationship of TWHC and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Following the initial presentation, Associate Commissioner Lesley French conducted a focus group with local women to discuss the challenges and barriers they have faced in obtaining basic preventive health care.

TWHC plans on having several similar events in 2016. Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to work with TWHC in an effort to support regionalization objectives in the Rio Grande Valley. Methodist Healthcare Ministries helped fund the creation of TWHC in 2011, and has been instrumental in the Coalition's work to reverse severe cuts to women's health care and to ensure a strong women's health care system in the state of Texas.

As a key funder for TWHC, Methodist Healthcare Ministries fully supports the Coalition's mission of providing every woman in the state access to preventive and preconception care so that she may stay healthy.

To learn more about the Texas Women's Healthcare Coalition, visit http://www.texaswhc.org/.

by Rhonda Hunnicutt, RN, Wesley Nurse

…. A time to weep and a time to laugh… Ecclesiastes 3:4

It's hard to believe that December is already here! For many, it's a season of joy, of love, and celebration of Christ's birth. For others, the holiday season, not just Christmas, is a dark time spent alone reflecting on the loss of loved ones, a time of loneliness, and despair. A condition known appropriately as S.A.D., can exacerbate those feelings in some people. S.A.D. , or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a mood disorder prevalent in winter months, due to shortened days and decreased sunlight. Though more common in northern climates, it is no less serious among those who suffer from S.A.D. in the south. Most people are somewhat familiar with symptoms of depression- symptoms of S.A.D. are much the same. To name just a few: decreased energy and interest in favorite activities; difficulty concentrating or remembering things; irritability; sadness; feelings of guilt or hopelessness; sleeping too much or too little; thoughts of death.

The good news is, that as days lengthen and sunlight increases again, S.A.D. symptoms usually abate on their own. And there is treatment. However, no one should have to suffer through a season with this depressive mood disorder needlessly. For some people, relief comes as simply as first recognizing the feelings and symptoms at the onset, opening the shades to let in more natural sunlight, or even better, getting outdoors to combine sunlight and activity/exercise. Exercise doubles the benefit because as activity or exercise decreases stress, it also releases endorphins that boost mood and coping ability. Other ways of coping with symptoms are deep breathing, prayer, and laughter…difficult to think of doing at this time, but so important to remember to do.

Of course, this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any mood disorders, rather, to raise awareness. If you are experiencing these symptoms more severely, and are not able to alleviate with simple measures, you should seek help from your health care provider who can properly diagnose and treat your symptoms.

The take away message that I want to leave you with is that you are not alone! Visit with your pastor or other trusted members of the church, your health care provider… surround yourself with positive people who don't encourage negative self-talk or feelings. Have lunch with a friend. Take walks with a buddy. Focus on the blessings you have in your life. Volunteer your services to others as a means of bringing clarity and purpose to your life. Anyone of us has the potential to fall victim to S.A.D. or other depressive disorders- recognition, action, and treatment are key to overcoming. And as quickly as December came, the longer, darker days of winter will be gone again. Until next time, be well, and be blessed.

Rhonda Hunnicutt, RN, is a Wesley Nurse with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Methodist Healthcare Ministres' Wesley Nurse program is a faith-based, holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least served through education, health promotion and collaboration with individual and community in achieving improved wellness through self-empowerment.

By Enomie Rosenthal, Wesley Nurse

I was invited by the executive director of Agape Ministry to attend their volunteer appreciation luncheon in May. Dr. A. Mangla, assistant director of the Metropolitan Health Department was a guest speaker at the luncheon. He spoke about various statistics in Bexar County. At the end of his presentation, he opened the floor for questions. Prior to the luncheon, I had been looking for free adult immunizations for the underserved in my community and was not able to find any resources. There were no shortages for free children immunizations, but none for adults. While researching information on adult immunizations, I found adult immunizations rates in the United States remain significantly low, falling well below national targets according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Bexar County I was not able to pull up accurate numbers. I relayed my dilemma to Dr. A. Mangla after the presentation, and he graciously agreed to a follow up meeting to discuss adult immunizations in-depth.

We soon discovered there was a strong need in Bexar County. We strengthened our efforts by involving several local agencies in a conversation on how to address the issue. Collaboratively, we decided to host an Adult Immunization Clinic in San Antonio. I was able to secure a location at the Bethany United Methodist Church (4102 Eisenhauer) where I am stationed as a Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurse. We contacted vendors to participate. Food was donated for volunteers, vendors and attendees. We got the word out tapping into the channels and networks of all community agencies involved. As the word got out, there was a real buzz stirring.

When the day finally came, I have to admit a nervous anxiousness overcame me. To compound this, I heard rain was in the forecast for the day. I prayed, "Please God let there be a good turnout." I kept thinking, "I just don't want to fail."

When the doors opened, the anxiousness melted away and I was overcome with joy as I saw a full line of smiling faces.
I hustled about the day, visiting with vendors, checking on the rooms that were assigned for the immunizations and making sure everything was running smoothly. An event volunteer heard one the of the attendees say, "this is good for the community." I count that as a success! If we only touch one life, then we are successful. I also learned that God has my back and I need to trust Him no matter what the situation.

Beyond touching the life of participants, I am confident I've built a strong network of community agencies and leaders to bring about positive change in the health care landscape in San Antonio and beyond. I am hopeful to repeat this success next year.

Anne N. Connor, Director of Community Grants, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

"If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." In this African proverb, the concept of "going together," and the investment of time it requires, applies to an asset-based approach to collective impact in creating community health. The Communities Creating Health feature in SSIR poses the question: "What would happen if the design, implementation, and evaluation of health interventions became something we do with communities rather than to them?"

When Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. set out to launch a collective impact initiative to improve community health in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, we added a new element to this proven framework. We knew that too many funders had entered a high-need service area with the message, "We know what's wrong with this community, and we're here to help you fix it." Instead, we preceded the collective impact project with a year of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), a process of building relationships and identifying existing assets within the community. This changed the message to, "Your community has a lot of strengths, and we're here to help you leverage those." That's a very different conversation.

The ABCD project was conducted by Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Wesley Nurses, a group of 80 church-based Registered Nurses throughout our 74-county service area who provide community health and wellness services. The nurses met with hundreds of community agencies and individual community members to identify assets and build relationships.

Building on this approach, Methodist Healthcare Ministries was able to convene a core group of health care providers and cross-sector community leaders ("grass tops") to identify a common agenda for community health improvement (with a focus on diabetes). Methodist Healthcare Ministries' commitment to the collective impact framework included a one-year consulting contract with FSG, a well-known expert on collective impact implementation. The core group was expanded to a steering committee representing more than 40 organizations for a deeper dive into the shared agenda.

A major milestone in the steering committee's work was a written agenda called Unidos Contra Diabetes. The steering committee found that, while most providers in the community were focusing their resources on diabetes disease management, the community would prefer to be focusing on diabetes prevention. This is a huge shift, especially in terms of payment models, but the community committed to this agenda. The motivation is strong, as most households near the Texas border have had at least one family member with diabetes and have experienced the tragic complications.

The collective impact project has expanded the community voice even further, and now includes several working groups and one planned task force. Community members and leaders are participating in determining how their existing assets can be coordinated to help prevent diabetes. The measurement task force is identifying metrics that can be used to track project success.

The work of the measurement task force is informed by a related effort, the Sí Texas Project, which is funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the Social Innovation Fund, and local funders. Sí Texas is short for "Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas," and is focused on integrated behavioral health models which address diabetes disease management (rather than prevention) as part of a holistic mind-body-spirit approach. While Unidos Contra Diabetes covers four counties in the Rio Grande Valley, Sí Texas covers 12 counties ranging from the Coastal Bend to Laredo, and includes the Unidos Contra Diabetes service area.

In keeping with Methodist Healthcare Ministries' commitment to evaluating projects with communities, Sí Texas engaged in a consensus-building process led by its contracted evaluator, Health Resources in Action (HRiA), to select the shared metrics all the subgrantees and their partners will use. (Shared metrics are of course another element of the collective impact framework, along with a shared agenda). As much as possible, the Unidos Contra Diabetes task force will align any diabetes management metrics that it tracks with those used by Sí Texas.

In addition, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has committed to engaging in a series of focus groups and community meetings, with a focus on the patient voice, to help identify how best to share and distribute findings of both the Sí Texas Project and the Unidos Contra Diabetes project. The series will convene patients and key stakeholders across a 17-county area to develop a coordinated regional approach to inform patient-centered research and evaluation among university systems, academic institutions, managed care organizations (MCOs), and public health systems. Methodist Healthcare Ministries will inventory how research findings/evaluation results are, or are not, shared with patients. The series will develop an actionable engagement strategy between MCOs and stakeholders to share and disseminate research findings/evaluation. This will help develop a framework guiding patient participation producing increased levels of trust between patients and academic/public health systems.

The ultimate outcome is that the patient voice is heard across systems, throughout all phases of research, resulting in dissemination practices and strategies that are highly responsive, culturally and linguistically appropriate for patients in South Texas. Across all the efforts described above, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is walking together with the communities it serves, toward the goal not only of improved community health, but of greater local ownership of healthy communities.

Q&A with Isela G.

Question: What do Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators do at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM)?

Answer: As a registered and licensed dietitian, I teach health education specific to how the foods we consume impact our overall health and well-being. I'm passionate about education and using the right foods to promote a healthy lifestyle. I earned the added designation, Certified Diabetes Educator, which means I've completed additional training to help clients prevent and manage this debilitating disease.

Question: What's your typical day look like?

Answer: During a typical day, I receive referrals from the physicians and nurse practitioner at MHM's Wesley Health & Wellness Center to help educate clients who have different medical needs including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, obesity, food allergies or are underweight. My day may also consist of consultations with individuals regarding diabetes self-management and smoking cessation. I often partner with nurse health educators during the year to help teach diabetes self-management group classes.

Question: What is the best part of your job?

Answer: As a health educator, the best part of my job is being able to work directly with patients at the early intervention stage. I educate and motivate people to eat healthier, become more active and take better care of their health. I like to think of myself as a personal health coach who encourages clients to lead a healthier lifestyle, so they can improve their quality of life. I love my job as a health educator and feel fulfilled a the end of the day when I see clients reach their weight loss goals, become more active, improve their eating habits, significantly improve their lab values and reduce their medication.

Question: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Answer: I enjoy circuit training (combination of cardio and resistance training exercises), running, reading, cooking, baking, singing and dancing.

Question: What do you love about living in Texas?

Answer: What I love most about Texas is the crazy hot weather. Many people complain about it, but I actually love San Antonio, Texas weather.

Editor's Note: Join the MHM Challengers team and our team captain, Isela G., at the American Diabetes Association's Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes on Saturday, October 31 at Mission County Park Pavillions in San Antonio, Texas. We're making a difference and you can too! Walk with us or donate today.

By Billy S., RN, Wesley Nurse

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) in collaboration with The Texas Kidney Foundation hosted a free kidney health screening event at First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi (900 S. Shoreline Blvd.) on Saturday, July 11. The community event was open to the public and provided a kidney panel test along with the opportunity for participants to counsel with onsite doctors and nurse practitioners. The individual consultations allowed for personal discussion about diabetes related chronic conditions and helped attendees learn firsthand how to prevent long-term complications. Additional services included blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol checks as well as a resource fair with representation from more than 20 local agencies. Family counseling, diabetes education, prescription assistance and charitable medical clinic referrals were a few services offered at the highly impactful event.

In South Texas, statistics involving incidents of diabetes and pre-diabetes are staggering. Complications from diabetes can cause cardiac related issues, which makes events like the Texas Kidney Check so vital. Over 90 participants were successfully screened and many expressed gratitude to both the church and the supporting agencies for providing this important service to Corpus Christi and surrounding counties. The accessibility of the health screening, interactions with the medical providers and the information provided through the resource fair made the event a great success for those underserved in our local community.

Special thanks to the following agencies for their collaboration: Texas Kidney Check; the First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi; CHRISTUS Spohn Care Van; and Dr. Cynthia Salloum and associates with Bay Area Kidney Specialists.

By Debora S., RN, Wesley Nurse

The Colorado County Circus of Health and Safety Day was held July 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Columbus Elementary School in Columbus, Texas (105 Cardinal Lane). I was happy to collaborate with a great group to help organize the 2015 event, including the AgriLife County Extension Agent, Columbus County Hospital and the Columbus Department of Health and Human Services. The health and safety day was a perfect example of community collaboration and local partnerships meeting the needs of our residents.

More than 220 children and 110 adults participated in the countywide event. Each child received a backpack filled with supplies for school. They also received timely health and safety information from a variety of organizations present on the day of the event. The planning team was overjoyed with raising nearly $3, 225, which helped purchase the backpacks and supplies for the children.

Families had the opportunity to view seatbelt safety demonstrations and receive car seat checks provided by the Columbus Community Hospital Nurses. At the Methodist Healthcare Ministries' booth, I shared information about nutrition, the importance of physical activity and hygiene. The Columbus EMS, fire department and police department had popular outdoor booths. A representative from the Lower Colorado River Authority was onsite to share all-terrain vehicle safety tips. Snow cones and water were also provided to help everyone cool down outdoors.

One of the highlights of the morning was the visit by the Life Flight helicopter. The helicopter surprised everyone when it landed in the school's playing field. The children really enjoyed the opportunity to see inside the aircraft. It was a great educational tool and fun opportunity for all!

The 2015 health and safety day proved to be a successful event. I was thankful to be involved because I know the event helped lessen the financial burden on parents as they prepare their children for a new school year. Knowing the event helps so many makes me extremely proud of our outreach within the community.

Guest blog submitted by Jennifer Lee with the Center for Public Policy Priorities

The new national KIDS COUNT® Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation reminds us how challenging it is to be a kid in Texas. Once again, Texas ranked among the ten worst states for children.

There were a few bright spots for the Lone Star State including improved math proficiency for eighth graders, and a decrease in the number of kids living in families where no parent has full-time employment. And some policy improvements in the past legislative session intended to improve the quality of pre-kindergarten are a good first step to getting children on a solid educational footing. But our state is missing too many opportunities to support our kids.

Texas' poor ranking in many measurements of child-wellbeing, from education and health care to families' economic security, threatens the next generation of Texans and the caliber of the state's workforce. We're a proud state, and we all want our children to have a bright and prosperous future, but our policies aren't supporting the development of healthy, well-educated children and economically secure families.

Over the past five years, Texas kids have experienced very slow and uneven progress in many important areas, and are generally still worse off than before the recession. A growing number of Texas children live in a high-poverty neighborhood, where there are fewer opportunities in education, and where health and safety are at risk. Notably, one in four Texas kids live in poverty, a number that has remained consistent since 2008, despite the booming economic growth the state has experienced in recent years.

Texas has improved in many categories related to children's health, but the state still has far to go.

The rate of Texas children without health insurance improved from 18 to 13 percent from 2008 to 2013. 13 percent may not sound like a big number, but it represents almost 900,000 kids, ranking Texas 2nd worst in the country for kids without health insurance. Research shows that if Texas did more to insure parents, then more kids would get insurance coverage by extension.

Texas can turn the tide, but only by adopting comprehensive policy solutions – like closing the health care Coverage Gap – that benefit children of all backgrounds and prepare them to be healthy, well-educated and financially secure. All Texas kids – regardless of race or ethnicity – should have the chance to compete and succeed in life.

Visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center for the most recent national, state and local data on hundreds of indicators of child well-being. The Data Center allows users to create rankings, maps and graphs for use in publications and on websites, and to view real-time information on mobile devices. Click below to view the entire KIDS COUNT 2015 Data Book.

This article originally appeared on the Center for Public Policy Priorities blog, Better Texas Blog. To view, click here.

By Mickey McCandless, Director of Spiritual Care & Church Connections

Did you know the reference to waiting is found in 116 instances within the Bible? Psalm 27:14, Micah 7:7 and Acts 1:3-4 are some of my favorite scriptural references to waiting. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines wait as “to stay in place until an expected event happens, until someone arrives, until it is your turn to do something…to not do something until something else happens; to remain in a state in which you expect or hope that something will happen soon.”

Too often we understand waiting to mean we are wasting time or not taking charge of a situation. Biblically, waiting is an active verb indicating that “to wait” is to be aware through all of the senses of what is occurring around you and discerning the right time to do the next thing. To wait is to be open to experiencing the holy moments around you: to experience feelings emanating from another person; to hear words in a broader context; or to experience God’s presence through others. During hurrying or busyness it is easy to miss these opportunities.

The virtue of waiting reminds me of Lola. Lola was my good friend from my first appointment at Banquete. She was raised on a farm, had served as an inner city schoolteacher at a disadvantaged school and she was very active in church with a passion for reaching new people in fresh ways. Lola had never smoked, but at age 70 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She fought against it for five years.

During her five-year battle, I moved to a church in Corpus Christi. One day, I received a phone call that Lola was in a hospital near me so I went for a visit. Her room was dark and comfortable. She was aware of my presence, but not verbally communicative. I spoke to her briefly. I waited for an hour, simply listening to her breathing, experiencing her spirit and becoming aware of the gift that was Lola. I became aware of God’s Spirit and reflected on my feelings about life as it begins and ends. I touched Lola and spoke a word of love and grace before I left. She died the next day. I had the privilege of preaching at her funeral.

Waiting is a spiritual discipline because it allows each of us to more fully experience who we are, the world around us and the presence of God. Practice waiting and may you be filled with God’s Spirit as you do.

By Sandi McKinney, RN, Wesley Nurse

I was delighted to participate in the Univision Health Tour, which visited San Antonio July 10 at Woodlawn Lake. The tour was part of Univision's month-long health and wellness initiative. The national media company, who caters to Hispanic Americans, created the campaign to bring education and awareness to communities about healthier living. The goal is to bring tools and empowerment to people so they can take action and lead healthier lives.

Wesley Nurses and community health workers from Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) supported Univision's goal by bringing tools for healthy living to event attendees. We provided free health screenings to more than 70 participants. The types of screenings included blood pressure and glucose checks. We also shared education about various health topics and referred individuals to additional resources based on their personal needs. Notably, 52 of the individuals screened by MHM had no health insurance.

I'm so thankful we were present to help those in need, within our community, receive important health screenings that may have a direct impact on their overall lifestyle and well-being. With no health insurance, these individuals may not have received this care without the support provided by MHM. I'm happy we had the opportunity to attend the event and to serve the attendees. We were definitely at the right place, at the right time.