San Antonio (December 5, 2023) – On Wednesday, November 29, Methodist Healthcare Ministries partnered with Methodist Healthcare and the San Antonio Spurs to donate more than 160 decorated Christmas trees to underserved families in San Antonio. As part of their annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Texsan, Methodist Hospital | Landmark, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan and Methodist Healthcare System Office participate in a tree decorating contest. Following the competition, the trees, along with 90 wreaths decorated by departments at Methodist Hospital | Specialty & Transplant, Methodist Hospital | Northeast and Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak, are given to families served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. (View footage from the 2023 event.)

The families who received Christmas trees are selected amongst existing Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ patients and clients who receive care through its Parenting Programs, Recreation & Enrichment services, Behavioral Health, and the Wesley Nurse program. The distribution started at 4 p.m. and lasted through 6 p.m., when the last family loaded up its tree.

“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the families and taking in the joy truly makes this one of our favorite traditions” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “This annual event between our organization and Methodist Healthcare hospitals supports our shared mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God” and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share the Christmas spirit and holiday cheer with our community.”

This year, a Winter Wonderland was created inside the Wesley Health & Wellness Center for families to enjoy while waiting to pick out their tree, with Spurs players Malaki Branham and Charles Bassey, Coyote and Hype Squad in attendance for the festivities. Methodist Healthcare is the Official Healthcare System of the San Antonio Spurs.

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About Spurs Sports & Entertainment

Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is a value-based and community-centric sports and entertainment company that provides premier live and global digital experiences for fans across a portfolio of three teams and two venues – all supported by a passionate staff of more than 1,000 full and part-time employees. SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G League), and San Antonio FC (USL), as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the Frost Bank Center, Toyota Field and STAR Complex. In November 2021, SS&E broke ground on The Rock at La Cantera, a multiphase $500 million legacy project that will extend across 45 acres and feature a human performance research center, 22-acre park, a community outdoor event plaza and space for medical, hospitality and office use. The campus is home to the new Victory Capital Performance Center, a state-of-the-art training facility for the San Antonio Spurs, which opened in October 2023. The SS&E investor group is led by Managing Partner Peter J. Holt.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive. 

About Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare is a 50-50 co-ownership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., South Texas’ largest non-public funding source of community health care for uninsured patients; and HCA Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services. This creates a unique partnership that ensures Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to benefit the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. Methodist Healthcare invested $818 million in charity and indigent care to the community in 2022 alone. With over 30 facilities, including ten hospitals and nine freestanding emergency departments, over 732,783 ER, inpatients and outpatients are served annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 13,500 staff, making the system the second largest private employer in San Antonio. With more than 3,400 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. And, with 25 surgical robots, Methodist Healthcare is a national leader in robotic surgery, as well as home to the nation’s largest Live Donor Kidney Transplant program and several Fortune/Merative Top 100 Hospitals in the nation for its outstanding quality outcomes. Visit SAHealth.com to learn more.

(San Antonio, TX October 23, 2023) – For the third consecutive year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by San Antonio Express-News Top Workplaces. This is the third consecutive year MHM has received this recognition and the fourth time in the past decade.

The selection is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution and connection, just to name a few.

“To receive this special recognition for a third consecutive year is truly a testament to the remarkable team we have at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, who embody our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ in everything they do” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are thankful to our mission-driven board of directors for ensuring our team has the resources and tools they require to work with exceptional skill, humility and passion to pursue health equity across South Texas; making every day at Methodist Healthcare Ministries rewarding—and truly an extraordinary place to work.”

MHM employs 500 employees across San Antonio and throughout Texas, including at its corporate headquarters located in the San Antonio Medical Center, two community clinics (the Wesley Health & Wellness Center and the Dixon Health & Wellness Center), two George Ricks School-Based Health Centers at Krueger Elementary and Schertz Elementary, and over 100 additional staff positions located within local churches and community centers in 74 counties across South Texas. MHM offers employees a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, the opportunity to invest in a matching 401(k) savings plan, a vibrant health & wellness incentive program, education reimbursement opportunities and more.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Energage Making the world a better place to work together.^TM

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 17 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

San Antonio, Texas (September 26, 2023) –  Clarity Child Guidance Center broke ground during a special ceremony on Wednesday, September 20  on renovations being made possible through its “HEROES: The Campaign for Clarity.” Through the campaign, Clarity is ensuring that every child and family who needs behavioral health services can receive them.

At the ceremony on Clarity’s 8-acre campus in San Antonio, which was attended by nearly 100 guests, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board chair Lavonne Garrison announced that MHM is contributing to Clarity’s capital campaign with a gift of $1 million, furthering their mission of healing young minds and hearts. “Supporting adult and youth mental health has been a long-time priority for MHM and we have been proud to provide community grants to partners across South Texas, like Clarity, who are providing services to the families in their communities, as well as providing services to the patients we serve across our service area,” said Garrison.

Through the Heroes campaign, Clarity will:

• Renovate Building 5 into an 8-bed Pediatric Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PPICU) that will provide trauma-informed mental health services to an additional 700 children each year.
• Establish a flexible living unit in Building 3 for any age or gender.
• Update the kitchen to create an environmentally friendly space to accommodate 125 kids and staff.
• Finish out third floor of Outpatient Building to allow for 4,500 more outpatient appointments annually.
• Expand the Crisis Services Department to assess an additional 60 kids in crisis per month.
• Expand the Next Step Center to increase space and accessibility for families and children who need extended services.

Clarity is the only nonprofit in South Texas providing a continuum of mental health services to children ages 3-17 and their families to manage mental health conditions. With the region’s largest concentration of child and adolescent psychiatrists, it provides inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, emergency room crisis services, care coordination, education and more annually to over 8,000 children in need of care, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

“Clarity Child Guidance Center has seen a dramatic increase in the need for children’s mental health services post pandemic,” said Jessica Knudson, , LCSW, FACHE, CEO and President of Clarity Child Guidance Center.  “We are so appreciative to all of our supporters that have helped us kick off our campaign.  The $1 million gift from Methodist Healthcare Ministries was pivotal in moving forward with this much needed expansion.“

The U.S. Surgeon General’s recent advisory warned that mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people, with up to 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. having a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder. In Texas, more than 67% of children who need treatment never receive it—even though 25% have onset by age 7—due to three barriers: a lack of service providers where they live; stigma around mental health; and the ability to pay for services.

60 percent of the children served by Clarity are uninsured, underinsured, or low-income, making the organization even more a valuable resource for the community given the barriers that exist in accessing care.  The barriers to care compound a troubling trend among area youth. The San Antonio Teen Mental Health Survey conducted in the spring 2022, found that 37% of youth expressed an inability to perform day to day tasks and 49% stated feeling helpless, hopeless, numb, or like nothing matters.

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and San Antonio City Councilman Manny Pelaez (D8) were on hand to speak to the importance of addressing children’s mental health for the betterment of our community.  Judge Sakai stated “I’m well aware of the escalating needs in the community and I think the community recognizes that COVID was a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, and it continues. It (the impact of COVID) has been devastating, which means we have to double down and add more resources for mental health to care for those especially those in need.”

Councilman Pelaez added, “I thank God every single day that there are people like the folks who work at Clarity who come to work to make the difference for these kids. I can tell you that there is no doubt in my mind that for the first time ever, you have a city council who, in unison, now speak the language of mental health, trauma-informed care, and making sure that we don’t just deliver streets & sidewalks & parks & drainage facilities and an airport, but also that we’re delivering an ecosystem where everybody has that right to live work and play. And that those who are most brittle and vulnerable can also reclaim that right to live work and play.”

Clarity supports all Bexar County children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are experiencing mental and behavioral disturbances, their families, and their communities. Last year, Clarity experienced a dramatic demand for services, including a 65% increase in inpatient admissions with no previous treatment history, a 27% increase in inpatient hospitalizations and a 159% increase in the use of  the Crisis Services Department.

Tony LoBasso, Chief Operating Officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Board Chair for Clarity Child Guidance Center added, “Our kids are our future, and we have to make sure that they have access to care to put the stigma of behavioral health behind and make sure there is a caring environment that they feel they and their family can come to and be served.”

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Clarity Child Guidance Center:

Founded in 1886, Clarity Child Guidance Center is the only nonprofit in South Texas providing a continuum of mental health services for children ages 3-17 and their families to manage mental health conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder and/or schizophrenia. In keeping with its vision to ensure that every child and family that needs its services receives its services, Clarity maintains a stand-alone mental health hospital on an eight-acre kid-friendly, open campus, with 66-bed, four-unit inpatient hospital with a six-bed Crisis Services unit offering specialized treatment for children.  It serves more than 8,000 children annually in need of care, regardless of their family’s ability to pay; the majority of patients are disproportionately low-income.   It offers the region’s largest concentration of child and adolescent psychiatrists through onsite affiliations with Southwest Psychiatric Physicians and UT Health San Antonio; it is also a teaching hospital for the esteemed nursing schools of UT Health San Antonio and University of Incarnate Word.

San Antonio, TX  (September 18, 2023) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced that it is making a $500,000 gift to the Harlandale Independent School District (HISD) during the Special Recognitions Program prior to the HISD School Board meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023. The announcement addresses the school district’s request for support to continue after school care programs for five schools in the district: Schulze Elementary School, Harlandale Middle School, Kingsborough Middle School, S.T.E.M. Early College High School, and Frank Tejeda Academy.

“Partnerships like this are important because we know that health is more than just what happens at a doctor’s visit at one of our clinics. It’s a lifelong journey fueled by supportive relationships, caring communities, and more fair and just opportunities for every person to be the healthiest version of themselves,” said Xochy Hurtado, Chief Operating Officer for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Through this gift, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Harlandale will build a healthier, thriving community by strengthening families, improving health and safety for students and giving parents the peace of mind they need to work and lead happy, healthy families.“

The HISD, like many other school districts across Texas, previously received funding from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). With that funding source depleted, HISD was facing a funding shortage that would lead to 50 percent of its after school programs being cut for the current 2023-2024 school year. These five schools and hundreds of kids would find themselves without access to critical after school care programs and activities that are critical to helping them reach their fullest potential for life.

“This funding is a beacon of hope for our after-school programs, allowing us to provide invaluable support and opportunities to our students,” said Gerardo Soto, Superintendent of Schools at Harlandale Independent School District. “We are deeply appreciative of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ commitment to our community’s education and well-being.”

MHM’s Wesley Health & Wellness Center (WHWC) is located near the HISD and students from the five impacted schools often participate in programming offered at the WHWC. Through this effort, MHM will continue to broaden the definition of healthcare by partnering with HISD, strengthening families, improving the health and safety for the children and giving parents the peace of mind.

# # #

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About Harlandale Independent School District:The Harlandale Independent School District serves about 12,000 students with two traditional high schools, the STEM Early College High School, Frank Tejeda Academy, four middle schools, nine elementary schools,  and one alternate campus.

SAN ANTONIO (August 9) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced today a three-year partnership with San Antonio-based bioscience innovation center VelocityTX to advance awareness, research, and innovation related to the social determinants of health (SDH).

Speaking at an event organized by Healthcare Think Tank, MHM President & CEO Jaime Wesolowski made the announcement following a keynote address that emphasized the need for greater focus on the role societal factors play in shaping health outcomes. Among the areas discussed were education, socioeconomic status, living conditions, access to care, and environmental factors.

In his address, Wesolowski called for a collaborative effort between healthcare institutions, research organizations, and private industry to tackle the root causes of health disparities, noting the potential of innovative technologies in addressing these critical—but often overlooked—factors that contribute to health and well-being.

Following the presentation, Wesolowski announced the partnership with VelocityTX, a subsidiary of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation. “We are excited for this partnership, which will propel innovation and sustainable solutions at the intersection of business and community impact. MHM and VelocityTX intend to create a hub of innovation that launches improvement in the social determinants of health across communities for years to come.”

A key component of the partnership will be the development of a specialized accelerator tailored to startups that are working to address social determinants of health. Launching in 2024, the program will leverage VelocityTX’s bioscience expertise to source leading innovators from across the country, offering cohort participants access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, personalized pitch coaching, and comprehensive business training.

“Societal factors have a major impact on personal wellbeing, particularly in under-resourced communities,” followed TRTF President and COO Rene Dominguez. “MHM’s vision to improve wellness of the least served makes this partnership particularly mission aligned, and we are excited to see what happens when we focus the lens of innovation toward this critical area of study.”

Operating out of a state-of-the-art Innovation Center located within one of San Antonio’s historically underserved communities, VelocityTX will also oversee ten education sessions designed to highlight the role social determinants of health play in shaping community health. Hosted at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, these sessions aim to raise awareness of SDH among students, healthcare professionals, and the general population. The first session will be held on Tuesday, September 26.

“With a dual focus on education and innovation, this partnership will help translate leading-edge science into positive health outcomes in communities all across South Texas,” Wesolowski stated.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.

About VelocityTX
VelocityTX is a nonprofit organization established in 2017 as a subsidiary of the Texas Research & Technology Foundation to help early-stage bioscience companies launch innovative breakthroughs that can significantly change and save lives at a global level. The VelocityTX innovation model – connect, support, fund – is designed to accelerate the path to commercialization for companies focused on medical devices, biotech, and healthcare IT. Learn more at VelocityTX.org.

San Antonio, TX (August 7, 2023) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. announced that it is donating $1,600,000 in emergency funding to bolster food security efforts by the seven food banks serving its 74-county service area across Texas. The funding is a response to the increased demand seen by local food banks because of the reduction in SNAP benefits, ongoing food supply issues, and inflation.  

13% of Texas households—1 in 8 Texans—experience food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers food assistance to low-income individuals and in Texas, 79% of SNAP participants are families with children and more than 27% are families with elderly or disabled members. In March, due to the end of pandemic related relief, 3.7 million Texans saw a reduction in SNAP benefits, leading to every single SNAP recipient or household seeing their Lone Star card reduced by at least $95 each month. The average household saw a reduction of $212. 

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries understands that health is more than what happens in a doctor’s office, but includes the actions necessary to ensure people have access to daily necessities they need to reach their fullest potential for health and life,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Our health equity commitment guides us to partner with families on their journey to become more food secure; and to improve access to healthy and affordable foods through identifying, investing in, and supporting approaches that improve food security in neighborhoods and communities.” 

The seven food banks receiving funds serve counties with the highest rates of unemployment as of September 2020. They include: Starr County (18.5% unemployment), Zavala County (17%), Maverick County (16.5%), Jim Wells County (14.7%) and Duval County (14.3%). These counties are home to a large number of families that are food insecure, making the additional support very timely. The funding is unrestricted, allowing each food bank to use in addressing their most urgent needs, including food costs, equipment and refrigeration.

Below is a summary of the funding allocations:

Total: $1,600,000

“Thank you, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, for hearing the call and responding! Truly a testament of serving humanity to honor God,” said Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. “The San Antonio Food Bank is proud to partner with MHM on a regional strategy to address food insecurity. Delivering equitable access to nutritious foods not only addresses food insecurity but improves health outcomes for chronic diseases in South Texas. Together we are fighting hunger and feeding hope!”  

This funding is a part of the $149.9 million community investment MHM announced in June 2023. Six of the food banks receiving funds are existing MHM Funded Partners, with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent being the newest recipient.  

The action follows the organizations’ new strategic plan that includes a commitment to systemic change by supporting approaches and initiatives that disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. These approaches may include convening cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, impacting public policy and state legislative efforts, creating opportunities, eliminating barriers, and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families, and communities.  

Apart from this funding, MHM’s efforts to advance food security include its advocacy work in Austin. This past legislative session, the MHM Policy & Advocacy team, in partnership with the 60 organizations that make up the Texas Food Policy Network, were successful in advocating and securing new funding for Texas residents experiencing food insecurity. Key wins the group achieved through legislation and budget appropriations include 1) Updating the SNAP Vehicle Asset Test, 2) Increasing funding for available produce; and 3) Eliminating key taxes and fees for Food Banks. These efforts will increase food distribution and remove unnecessary barriers for many Texas households struggling to feed their families.  

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

San Antonio (Jun. 26, 2023) – The Alzheimer’s Association of San Antonio and South Texas proudly announced that Jamie Wesolowski and Dan Miller will serve as co-chairs for the 2023 San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®. The annual event will take place at Fiesta Texas, Saturday, October 21, 2023. The two organizations have set a goal of raising $1 million dollars for this year’s Walk. Currently the San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s is in the Top 30 out of over 620 Walks nationwide. This year’s goal is to be in the Top 10.

In addition to the fundraising goal, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Methodist Healthcare Ministries have jointly agreed to be the Walk’s Presenting sponsor and donating $150,000, which is the largest sponsorship in the Walk’s history nationwide.

“Together with Methodist Healthcare, we are proud to have jointly sponsored this event and the Alzheimer’s Association – San Antonio  for many years and it’s a great way to combine our efforts for such a worthy cause,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “The inspiration and strength our team members receive from their family, friends and colleagues who have been touched by this disease, really powers us forward.”

“Methodist Healthcare System is committed to not only raising money to find a cure for this devastating disease, but also working together with our doctors and staff to educate our community about the signs and symptoms and resources the Alzheimer’s Association has to offer,” added Dan Miller, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare System. “No one should fight this disease alone.”

Two special guests, Sean Elliott and Claudia Zapata-Elliott, MS, RD, who have served as community brand ambassadors for Methodist Healthcare since 2018, were on hand to speak about their personal connection to this disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The San Antonio Walk has over 5,000 attendees annually and it brings together all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias throughout Bexar County and the surrounding community.

“We are honored and beyond thrilled to have not one but two incredible leaders in these key roles for the San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Gregory Sciuto, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association San Antonio and South Texas Chapter. “Methodist Healthcare and Methodist Healthcare Ministries have been key partners for over 5 years and their unmistakable commitment is evident being a presenting Sponsor, having system wide Walk Teams and most importantly working with us to educate their staff and patients about Alzheimer’s and all Dementias and making sure they can access our resources.” 

On Walk Day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease.

Currently the San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s is in the Top 30 out of over 640 Walks nationwide. This year’s goal is to be in the Top 10.  More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Texas alone, more than 400,000 Texans are living with the disease and over 1,000,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive. 

About Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Healthcare is a 50-50 co-ownership between Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., South Texas’ largest non-public funding source of community health care for uninsured patients; and HCA Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services. This creates a unique partnership that ensures Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to benefit the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. Methodist Healthcare invested $756 million in charity and indigent care to the community in 2020 alone. With 30 facilities, including nine hospitals and eight freestanding emergency departments, over 685,000 inpatients and outpatients are served annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 12,500, making the system the second largest private employer in San Antonio. With more than 3,400 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. And with 25 surgical robots, Methodist Healthcare is a national leader in robotic surgery, as well as home to the nation’s largest Live Donor Kidney Transplant program. Visit SAHealth.com to learn more.  

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s. 

Alzheimer’s Association^®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

MCALLEN, TX (May 25, 2023) – On Saturday, May 20, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. and Texas A&M Health held a special graduation ceremony for the first cohort of high school students who completed the Together for a Better Tomorrow (TBT) Youth Citizen Scientist Program – a key component of the two-year study on water quality in key Rio Grande Valley border communities announced in 2022. 

The fourteen students that participated in the Youth Citizen Scientist Program received 16 hours of training, including instruction on health risks of exposure to water contaminants and hands-on field study activities in colonias in Hidalgo County.  

Each graduate has been credited with 10 hours of community service, received a Youth Citizen Scientist Certificate from Texas A&M Health, a letter of recommendation for their future academic aspirations, and water filtration systems (such as a filtered water bottle, ZeroWater filter pitcher, and PUR faucet filter). Parents of the students were also awarded a certificate for their contribution to their child’s success in the program – recognizing the work of supporting their children through this educational community project.

“Through engendering a love of learning, these citizen science graduates are well poised to have positive impacts not only for themselves and their communities, but for the field of public health as a whole,” said Garett Sansom, DrPH at Texas A&M University School of Public Health. It has been my honor and privilege to team with Methodist Healthcare Ministries on this project. ”

“The training and resources provided through this project is empowering the students and families as they address the health inequities they face and help their communities thrive,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We’re a proud partner in this initiative with Texas A&M Health and we’re very excited to see the impact these citizen scientists have made in their local communities.”

The program is supported by organizations and individuals in the community who are dedicated to bringing better health outcomes and serving the people of the Rio Grande Valley through community-based initiatives such as the study on water quality and arsenic levels and the TBT program. These organizations include:  

• ARISE 
• Proyecto Azteca 
• LUPE 
• Access Clinics 
• Hidalgo County Precinct 4
• Hidalgo County Precinct 2 
• Hidalgo County Precinct 1 
• Border Workers United 
• Angie’s Day Spa 
• Puerta del Cielo Church 
• South Texas College 
• Mujeres Unidas 
• Guajira Clinic 
• MHM Wesley Nurses 
• Progreso Fire Department 
• Mexican Consulate 
• Buckner International
• San Juan Advancement Center 
• Alamo Advancement Center 
• Progreso Community Resource Center 
• San Carlos Endowment Center 
• Community Advisory Boards – PCHAC, CASCO, and HHSC 

The Youth Citizen Scientist Program is part of a two-year dual study launched by Texas A&M Health and Methodist Healthcare Ministries in April 2022 to help communities safeguard their water and health. One component of the study focuses on increasing public awareness of arsenic exposure in the local community. The other is examining the impact of a locally engaged and trained resident population on water security and common resilience in Texas border communities, which became the Citizen Science Program.

The students graduating from the Citizen Science Program came from across the Rio Grande Valley and are in grades 9-12.  The schools that participated in the program include Progresso High School, IDEA Edinburg, PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professionals, PSJA Southwest, IDEA Pharr, Donna North High School, and IDEA Alamo. 

The project is a vital first step in creating a proof of concept that will then be applied throughout the Texas-Mexico border to improve the lives of these often-overlooked communities. 

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.: Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive. 

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

About Together for a Better Tomorrow Program: Program under the direction of Drs. Garett Sansom and Taehyun Roh at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. The program aims to understand and develop solutions to environmental issues in our South Texas (STX) communities in Hidalgo County, in this case water insecurity, by testing and capturing measurements of existing health risks due to exposure to water contaminants, developing solutions for how to reduce the risk of exposure for communities near contaminated water, and collect important data for the community that can be used to implement the necessary practical solutions and train the next generation of citizen scientists and cultivate a love of learning science for students in South Texas.

San Antonio, TX (May 23, 2023) – Today, The BUILD Health Challenge^® (BUILD) announced its fourth cohort of awardees, including 13 new communities throughout the U.S., that will receive a total of $8.5 million in funding and resources to advance health equity over the next 3 years.  Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been a philanthropic partner of BUILD Health since the third cohort was launched in 2019.

San Antonio is one of the communities included in this cohort through the Bridges to Care San Antonio (BTCSA) collaborative. BTCSA is working to create “more welcoming, inclusive, supportive and engaged communities so people learn to identify mental health issues and find a therapeutic community that can help prevent a mental health crisis and can build their resilience.” Click here to read more about this coalition.

Launched in 2015, BUILD addresses the root causes of communities’ most pressing health challenges by changing the conditions in our society, environment, and policies that impact health and well-being at the population level. While access to care remains a critical issue in the U.S., it is only a small piece of the puzzle when addressing health disparities and long-term well-being of a community. BUILD invests in community-centered, multi-sector partnerships that strive to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be healthy.

 “BUILD communities are working to level the playing field,” said Melissa Monbouquette, Executive Director of BUILD. “Health disparities across the country have been caused or exacerbated by systemic racism and disinvestment; no organization or sector can address all of the interlocking drivers of health inequity alone. True health transformation requires a shared responsibility to move these systems of oppression and neglect towards justice and universal well-being.”

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to support The BUILD Health Challenge and bring much needed attention and investment to South Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. “We congratulate the Bridges to Care San Antonio collaborative and all the contributing partners in San Antonio for creating a strong program that will work to improve the mental and behavioral health of communities in Bexar County.”

BUILD is excited to fund collaboratives that are addressing critical issues such as healthy housing, food security, the built environment, and mental health through an equity- and justice-driven lens. Each community-based collaborative is backed by a local health department, and a hospital or health plan that provides monetary and/or in-kind support to the project, collectively adding more than $4 million to the overall award total.

  The thirteen selected projects and communities are:

• A Resident-Led Economic Opportunity Initiative to Improve Health Equity – Economic opportunity [Muskegon Heights, MI]
• Addressing Trauma in Foreign-Born Communities through Mental and Behavioral Health – Mental and behavioral health, immigration [St. Louis, MO]
• Bridges to Care San Antonio – Mental and behavioral health [San Antonio, TX]
• BUILD Payette – Healthy housing [Payette, ID]
• Building a Healthier Cincinnati – Maternal and child health, economic opportunity [Cincinnati, OH]
• Built Environment Work Group of South King County – Built environment, transportation [Seattle, WA]
• From the Ground Up: Building Health for Allentown children by Improving Early Childhood Development – Child health [Allentown, PA]
• Improving Health and Development through Access to Childcare Initiative – Child health [Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ]
• Race, Food, and Justice: Resident-Led Change to Support a Sustainable Food System – Food access [Cleveland, OH]
• San Diego Refugee Communities Health through Housing (HTH) Project – Healthy housing, immigration [San Diego, CA]
• San Joaquin County Transforming Communities for Healing – Mental and behavioral health [Stockton, CA]
• WHOLE Schools Movement – Mental and behavioral health, child health [Durham, NC]
• Working Towards an Equitable Health Landscape: Food is Medicine – Food access [Boone, NC]

The partnerships in Cleveland and Cincinnati are returning BUILD awardees, leveraging the momentum of their previous BUILD award and their long-term commitment to advancing resident leadership and justice in their communities.

“Since BUILD’s launch in 2015, we’ve been in awe of how the movement for community-centered health initiatives has grown across the country and the collective impact of these partnerships,” said Monbouquette. “By supporting capacity building, amplifying community voice, and sharing the stories of what works, BUILD communities are demonstrating what the future of equitable community health practice looks like.”

The first three cohorts of BUILD included 55 initiatives across 25 states. To date, the awardees’ efforts have yielded promising policy changes and community health solutions, including local regulations ensuring access to clean water; creating publicly accessible databases to identify neighborhood-level trends; abolishing food deserts by creating sustainable food enterprises; and creating new organizational structures that center community voice in decision making.

BUILD is proud to acknowledge the invaluable support of the philanthropic partnership that guides this effort. This collaboration blends national perspective with issue-specific and regional expertise, and aims to inspire similar teamwork among organizations at the local level. The Fourth Cohort is made possible with support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, de Beaumont Foundation, Episcopal Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Missouri Foundation for Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Trinity Health, Vitalyst Health Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Learn more about the BUILD Health Challenge communities at https://buildhealthchallenge.org/.

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 About Methodist Healthcare Ministries 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.