Blog – Page 21 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

April Funded Partner Spotlight – Frontera de Salud

DW Admin on April 17, 2012

Since inception, MHM has provided nearly $500 million in healthcare services through our clinics and programs, as well as through our partnerships. MHM is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission and organizational objective of delivering healthcare and social services to the least served in the South Texas region. By strengthening other organizations' capacity to provide services, we achieve our overarching goal of increasing access to care.

MHM welcomed the UTHSCSA chapter of Frontera de Salud (Border of Health), a program of the UTHSCSA's Center for Humanities and Ethics, as a funded partner in 2008 to address the health profession shortage in South Texas. Frontera de Salud, or Frontera, is a service organization founded in 1998 and is staffed by medical, nursing and allied health students committed to bringing primary healthcare to the underserved population.

Frontera currently has chapters in four medical school campuses in Texas comprised of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the UTHSCSA. Under faculty supervision, students and mentors are given the unique opportunity to work with community partners to provide vital health care and assist in developing preventative measures at each of the Frontera chapter sites.

In the past two years alone, the UTHSCSA chapter of Frontera served over 3,400 clients in Laredo and Corpus Christi/Robstown – two of the most impoverished regions in the nation, along with underserved areas of San Antonio. Members of Frontera actively participate in health fairs and community visits. These visits are often the only opportunity many of these citizens have to obtain health care. Services trips are scheduled on a regular basis to provide students and faculty in the program a chance to learn to treat diverse populations and consider the unique social context of care in South Texas. Services include health screenings, flu vaccines and school physicals.

This experience is mutually beneficial as students become stewards of the medical profession, and commence partnerships with healthcare professionals as illustrated in these excerpt taken from the UTHSCSA Frontera chapter blog:

"We traveled with eight medical and nursing students to Corpus Christi yesterday to participate in a community health fair. We provided health screenings, health education, HIV screenings/education, and were able to connect patients with providers in the community. Not only were we able to make an impact in the community but it was also a wonderful learning experience for the students. Every student was able to rotate through each station and even had the opportunity to work with a local Family Medicine doctor who provided guidance and advice regarding local resources for the patients for long-term follow-up care."

Frontera leads the way among UTHSCSA student health service organizations, particularly with regard to its focus on the interdisciplinary health care team as the Frontera coalition of students and faculty represent a variety of disciplines to include medical, nursing, pharmacy programs and physician assistant students.

To date, MHM has contributed over $105,000 in funding to the UTHSCA chapter of Frontera de Salud to address the health profession shortage and continue their efforts of delivering healthcare to the medically underserved population of South Texas.

To learn more about the UTHSCSA chapter of Frontera de Salud visit their website or find them on Facebook.

Day in the Life of: Annette Ledezma, Behavioral Health Services

DW Admin on March 30, 2012

We are closing out National Social Work Month with a special Day in the Life interview with MHM Behavioral Health & Social Work Supervisor, Annette Ledezma.

Thank you, Annette, for your hard work and dedication to the mission of, "Serving Humanity to Honor God."

View more MHM videos at: www.youtube.com/mhmstx.

Diabetes Self-Management Education becomes an AADE-accredited diabetes education program

DW Admin on March 29, 2012

MHM’s Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). AADE is a multidisciplinary association of healthcare professionals dedicated to integrating self-management as a key outcome in the care of people with diabetes and related chronic conditions. This accreditation will help to allow for increased access to critical diabetes education services for residents in and around San Antonio. Currently, there are only two other programs in the San Antonio area that hold accreditation from the AADE.

Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with, or at risk for diabetes, gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. This instruction is provided by a team of diabetes educators with creditials ranging from Licensed Dieticians to Registered Nurses.

Health Education program manager, Juan Martinez, MSN, RN, is confident this accreditation will promote self-empowerment and awareness among the participants of the program. “To be eligible for AADE’s accreditation program, our program must adhere to the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Training as set forth by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This requirement, in turn, guarantees program participants are receiving standardized curriculum that can be continued should the need for relocation take place,” explains Juan. “This accreditition is especially meaningful given our diabetes educators team is celebrating National Nutrition Month this month.”

DSME, made available through MHM’s Nutrition & Health Education department, is offered at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center (WHWC) on San Antonio’s South Side year-round. The program is also available to San Antonio’s East Side community through the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr. Clinic.

For more information about MHM’s DSME, contact the WHWC at (210) 922-6922 or the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr. Clinic at (210) 527-1505.

To learn more about the American Association of Diabetes Educators, visit http://www.diabeteseducator.org .

2012 Walk MS: the Fight isn’t over yet

DW Admin on March 28, 2012

Team MH vs. MS stepped out on Saturday, March 3, 2012 to join in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS) at the 2012 Walk MS. The annual walk is the signature fundraising event for the National MS Society.

Money raised as part of the Walk MS event will aid the National MS Society's global efforts in MS research and treatment with a focus on stopping the progression of the disease and restoring the function that has been lost all, in an effort to ending the disease.

With Maria Hernandez serving as team captain, team MH vs. MS completed the walk held at the AT&T Center. Team MH vs. MS recruited 48 members and raised nearly $500 for the cause. MHM proudly sponsors the walk annually as a way to support the National MS Society, and matches every dollar raised by the team.

The walk may be over, but the fight isn't! There is still time to contribute to the team total. To make a donation to team MH vs. MS, click here.* The deadline to submit donations is Monday, April 2, 2012.

To learn more about the Walk MS, visit: nationalmssociety.org.

To view our team photos on the MHM Facebook page, click here.

*MHM will automatically match the total amount raised by the team; there is no need to fill out the Matching Gifts portion of the Donation Form.

Social Work Myths vs. Facts – Week Four

DW Admin on March 26, 2012

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."

Myth:

Social workers only enable families to continue to use the "system."

Fact:

Social workers believe that is is important to EMPOWER and educate patients and families to feel confident. To best support the patients and families, we believe that it is important to first recognize their needs, strengths, and abilities.

Myth:

Once a social worker has the degree, no ongoing education is required.

Fact:

Social workers complete at least 30 hours of continuing education units every two years, including six hours of ethics. Also, they continue to leanr abou the new and changing programs available to their clients.

Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.

Bulldogs for Better Breathing at the 2012 Fight For Air Run/Walk

DW Admin on March 20, 2012

The Bulldogs for Better Breathing team, organized by the MHM School Based Health Center (SBHC), participated in the 2012 Fight for Air Run/Walk that took place on Saturday, February 11 at SeaWorld San Antonio. Hosted by the American Lung Association, this event is designed to raise money for lung research and education.

MHM sponsors the annual walk as a way to support the American Lung Association in their efforts to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. As an added convenience to participants, the SBHC provided a bus to transport families to the SeaWorld event. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, the team recruited sixty-four participants. Backpacks with asthma information were provided to the walkers along with games, snacks and water. The Bulldogs for Better Breathing team completed the 5k walk and visited health fair booths setup along the way.

School Based Health Center at the American Lung Association Walk San Antonio, Texas

MHM at SeaWorld San Antonio

The SBHC team was able to raise $1,175.78 from the Penny Drive held at the two primary campuses in Marion. With the pennies collected, they sponsored the Avila family. Without this sponsorship, this family of eight, would not have be able to participate in the Walk or benefit from all the park has to offer. This marks the family’s first visit to the theme park together.

For the ride home, bus goers enjoyed boxed lunches with juice as they wound down from the excitement of the day. Overall, the Bulldogs for Better Breathing raised a total of $1,505.78 for the cause.

Social Work Myths vs. Facts – Week Three

DW Admin on March 19, 2012

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."

Myth:

Social workers only listen to peoople talk about their feelings; their "work" is not tangible or quantitative.

Fact:

Approximately 60% of mental health professional providing services are clinical social workers. At least two years after completing their master's degree, a social worker may obtain 100 hours of intense supervision and pass another licensure exam in order to become a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). LCSW is the highest level of education that a social work can receive, other than a doctorate degree in social work which is used for teaching at the college/master's level.

Fact:

Social workers address peoples feelings and so much more! Social workers provide practical and compassionate guidance to individuals, families, and communities confronting and resolving a variety of dilemmas. Social workers can also work as administrators, policymakers and researchers.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.

March Funded Partner Spotlight – Partnership in Oral Health

DW Admin on March 16, 2012

With this community healthcare model in mind, the partnership between the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School (UTHSCSA-DS) and San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic (SACDC) seemed rather fitting. Located at Haven for Hope, the largest, most comprehensive Homeless Transformation Campus in the U.S., SACDC provides charitable dental care to indigent persons in keeping with Christian ministry and has been a MHM funded partner since 2007.

SACDC provides a wide range of dental services utilizing a corps of volunteer dental professionals. Through this, they offer Haven for Hope residents and the surrounding community dental exams, cleanings, restorative dentistry, extractions, surgery and prosthodontics. Oral health education is provided to further empower patients and support improved oral health.

In late 2010, SACDC requested that the Dental School rotate dental students to its facility to provide primary dental care to patients as a means to supplement the care provided by the private sector volunteer corps of dentists who contribute their services. These rotations also help to enhance students’ clinical knowledge and skills in delivering primary dental care to the homeless population and underserved. In 2011, MHM funded the conversion of the existing dental radiology system to a digital system at SACDC to facilitate UTHSCSA-DS dental student training rotations, also reducing x-ray exposure to patients by 90%.

As a likely ally in health care, the UTHSCSA-DS became a MHM funded partner in 2002. Founded in 1970, the Dental School is a place where students, faculty and staff come together to share knowledge and skills. The mission of the Dental School is the acquisition, dissemination and use of knowledge toward the enhancement of oral health. This mission is addressed through six interrelated action components: education; research; patient care; community service; faculty and staff; and infrastructure.

In 2011, the Dental School added the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program allowing for dental care at SACDC in the form of extractions, root canals and other more complicated procedures to patients of the clinic.

Along with direct services provided to patients in need – who, most likely, without these types of programs and clinics may not have received care – this partnership has also instilled a sense of civic responsibility in the caregivers of such services. This is evident through a testimonial offered by a Dental School student after completion of work at SACDC:

"I got to know a patient yesterday, and we became very close after just a cleaning! She was one of the most grateful patients I have ever been blessed to work on. She made me feel like I made a difference and it was one of those moments where I love what I do (dentistry). I came to understand her plans for the future, and about her life on campus. As we hugged goodbye, I was wishing that I would somehow see her again, and I hope that I will. For some reason, I know I will never forget her face…just when we were getting used to the swing of things and appreciating this clinic, it is time to leave. I’m grateful to have this experience…"

MHM continues to fund this partnership for SACDC to continue to provide dental care for those who have little to no resources as well as for Direct Dental Services and Training of UTHSCSA-DS students at SACDC. It is estimated that dental students/residents will provide 2,000 dental visits of SACDC's anticipated 38,000 dental visits in 2012.

Both agencies are committed to addressing MHM’s goal of access to dental care for the underserved with the added impact of training a troop of dental students to sustain the effort.

Social Work Myths vs. Facts – Week Two

DW Admin on March 12, 2012

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."

Myth:

Most social workers work for Child Protective Services (CPS) and their job is to remove children from their homes and to break up families.

Fact:

Approxiamately 20% of the social workers in the U.S. practice in hospitals and about 12% practice in medial clinics; this includes about 111,000 social workers. There are currently over 70 social workers in the Methodist Healthcare System and MHM in San Antonio who hold at least a master's degree.

Myth:

Social workers complete Medicaid applications and hand out meal coupons.

Fact:

Health care social workers provide direct services to clients, impart information, make community referrals, screen and assess clients, assist in discharge planning, provide mental health services, and interven in crisis situations most often in their area of practice.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.

Social Work Myths vs. Facts – Week One

DW Admin on March 6, 2012

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters."

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the first of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."

Myth:

Social work does not require a special degree or licensure. A social worker can be anyone who is compassionate and enjoys helping those who are experiencing difficulties or who are less fortunate.

Fact:

Although most social workers are compassionate and do enjoy helping those in need, a degree, a license, and supervised fieldwork is required to call one’s self a social worker. The minimum requirement for a social worker is a bachelor’s degree, but approximately 82% of practicing social workers have a master's or doctorate.

Fact:

LBSW stands for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker and LMSW stands for Licensed Master's Social Worker; every social worker at Methodist Healthcare Ministries holds at least a bachelor’s degree.

Fact:

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 600,000 people have a degree in social work; this career path is growing twice as fast as any other occupation in the U.S.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.

Epilogue to “How You Debrief Grief”: A Lunch ‘n Learn Program with the Wesley Nurse of Mason

DW Admin on February 29, 2012

submitted by Ann Scarth, RN
Wesley Nurse, Mason, Texas

Grief is the emotional suffering that is felt after a loss of some kind and can be triggered for a variety of reasons: the death of a loved one, the onset of a serious medical condition or even an intense disappointment. People are so often unprepared for grief—even when an event is predicted. Like so many other small rural towns, Mason’s population has matured and in recent months, it seems we have suffered a rash of loss in our community. As a result, caregivers are left feeling overwhelmed and isolated.

On January 26, I formed a partnership with Patrick Loring, M.S., L.P.C., the bereavement coordinator for Odyssey Hospice located in Kerrville, Texas. Together, we developed a Lunch ‘n Learn program titled, “How You Debrief Grief.” The program was an instant success with over 20 people in attendance.

After the initial meeting, I asked participants to contact me if they were interested in forming a local grief support group in Mason. The response was immense. A flood a respondents contacted me with a resounding request, “we want our own grief support group.” In response, the first of the bimonthly group meeting was held on February 7, in a small, intimate room at the First United Methodist Church in Mason.

So far, a number of participants have joined the group – all dealing with some form of grief or trauma. Some have suffered a sudden, unexpected loss; others are caregivers looking for support. The group has even attracted survivors eager to offer guidance and affirmation to participants.

We have shared memories, tears, pictures of our loved ones and laughter—yes, laughter has crept in on occasion and it really lit up our room with much needed encouragement and release. Feelings have emerged and emotions have been explored. The sentiment is palpable when you hear one participant say to another, “Your spouse was such a dear person and a real pillar of our community.” Participants are beginning to learn that grief is actually a healing process that is normal and healthy.

The grief support group meets at noon on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the conference room at the First United Methodist Church of Mason (224 Broad Street Mason, Texas). Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch; beverages and dessert are provided.

For more information, please call Ann Scarth, RN at (325) 347-5983.

February Funded Partner Spotlight – Triple H Equitherapy Center

DW Admin on February 17, 2012

Since inception, MHM has provided more than $405 million in healthcare services through our clinics and programs, as well as through our partnerships. MHM is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission and organizational objective of delivering healthcare and social services to the least served in the South Texas region. By strengthening other organizations’ capacity to provide services, we achieve our overarching goal of increasing access to care.

MHM’s partnership with the Triple H Equitherapy Center is a prime example of this community healthcare model. Founded in 1995, the Triple H Equitherapy Center provides people with disabilities and wounded warriors nationally accredited equine assisted activities and therapy. Located in Pipe Creek, Texas, the center offers five unique equine therapy programs for children and adults with a range of disabilities and needs along with two specialized projects to include the “Horses for Heroes” and “Open the Gate” project.

“Open the Gate” serves children ages 6 to 17 from Kendall, Bandera, Kerr, Medina, and northern Bexar counties whose life experiences have triggered social or mental disorders that require judicial intervention or residential treatment. Contributing factors can include physical or emotional trauma, emotional or mental disorders, and poverty, among other life challenges.

Through the “Open the Gate” project participants experience recovery with optimism, autonomy, respect and dignity, partnership and personal growth. They are encouraged to expand their capabilities, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem. This enables them to go beyond their circumstances and “opens the gate” to opportunity as positive citizens of our society. Clinical outcomes of the program revealed successes on several levels. One such story of comes from A.J.*, a participant from Meadowlands–a long term residential treatment and care facility for children ages 6-17.

Upon entrance into the Open the Gate project, A.J. carried an air of overconfidence hinging on arrogance due to prior experience with horses. This caused him to express frustration during encounters with less-experienced participants; he began to take on a competitive, adversarial posture with his peers. A.J.’s participation in the program required attendance at reoccurring group sessions where he was approached positively and made aware of his negative, confrontational tendencies. With time and positive reinforcement, he worked hard to re-channel this energy and it enabled him to accommodate others by helping his peers pick out hooves, assisting with tacking up horses and encouraging others to tack and ride independently. Ultimately, A.J. developed into a positive peer-mentor for the group, carrying with him the skills necessary to practice patience, understanding and empathy.

The center has collaborated with Meadowlands, a Roy Maas Youth Alternatives residential facility, along with county juvenile justice programs and other community intervention programs for at-risk youth to reach program participants.

The Triple H Equitherapy Center has been an MHM Funded Partner since 2008. As of December 2011, MHM has contributed over $690,000 in funding to the center to assist with mental and behavioral health services. The center looks to receive $190,000 in 2012 to continue programming.

To learn more about the Triple H Equitherapy Center, visit their at www.triplehequitherapy.org or find them on Facebook.

*To protect the privacy of program participants, a pseudonym has been used in the testimonial presented in the above article.