Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.
Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for February 2023.
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Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness team offers a wide variety of programs and classes designed for every skill level! All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is required, call (210) 922-6922 to register.
Click here to download a copy of our Wesley Health & Wellness Center – Calendar of Events for December 2022.
On August 31, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, along with key partners and members of the community gathered at The Neighborhood Place in the Westside of San Antonio to learn more about how economic mobility approaches and interventions can positively impact the city of San Antonio and other communities.
The more than 100 attendees at the event listened to a keynote presentation by Charles J. Homer, M.D., M.P.H who has served as a clinician and researcher on national healthcare, education, and economic mobility focused initiatives. His presentation gave an in-depth look into why it is important to address inter-generational poverty in our communities and strategies that promote economic mobility. He also discussed how different interventions, such as cash assistance, and science-based coaching and recognition, can work together to positively impact individual and community-wide health and life outcomes. Click here to view his remarks.
After lunch, a panel discussion focused on how one local intervention—the San Antonio G.O.A.L.S. Initiative—has the potential to transform and strengthen the financial independence and well-being of resilient individuals and families. Click here to read more about the San Antonio G.O.A.L.S. Initiative. The panel, moderated by Dr. Homer, included representatives from our key community partners on the G.O.A.L.S. Initiative, alongside our President & CEO, Jaime Wesolowski.
Community Conversation Panelists
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The San Antonio G.O.A.L.S. Initiative
Methodist Healthcare Ministries commissioned The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Health Community and Policy (HCAP) to serve as third-party evaluators of the economic mobility research study, looking at two different interventions: cash assistance and economic coaching, specifically EMPath’s Mobility Mentoring®.
The research focuses on understanding how Cash Assistance and a type of partnership called Mobility Mentoring® contribute to financial stability and economic mobility in Bexar County. We want to understand the combined impact of these interventions on financial self-sufficiency, while learning about the factors or participant characteristics that affect the impacts of the interventions. We want to learn about what works best for different people in Bexar County. Recruitment is currently underway . The application is open to individuals ages 18-60 who live in one of 13 priority zip codes with an income that is less than 150% of the federal poverty line. Families living in these zip codes have some of the highest levels of poverty in Bexar County. One person per household may apply, and 575 people will be selected to participate.
After two years, we hope that the findings we learn can help inform our future strategies and investments around economic mobility, as well as serve as a model for other communities and organizations to follow. Ultimately, we want to see what impact these interventions can have on health and well-being of these community members and imagine what this could mean for all of South Texas.
During the Q&A portion of our community conversation, several attendees asked how the G.O.A.L.S. Initiative would take into consideration the difficulty our communities experience with participation in research. Attendees shared that fear of discrimination, language difficulties and lack of access to healthcare were some of the reasons community members do not participate in research studies. The G.O.A.L.S. Initiative is internally guided by Dr. Inez Cruz, who leads Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ research efforts. Dr. Cruz acknowledged that “historically a tension exists between diverse communities, especially communities of color, and research recruitment.” She noted that two prominent deterrents to participation in research studies are lack of trust and appropriate incentives. However, over the years Latino researchers, and researchers in general, have striven to address these concerns.
Dr. Cruz added, “As a researcher, I need diverse communities, to participate in research if we want our findings to be reflective of the community we serve.” For San Antonio, this means not only Latino/a/x, immigrant, and Black community members but also other individuals and communities historically underrepresented in research, including indigenous communities and people with disabilities. The G.O.A.L.S. Initiative began with community surveys and focus groups to ensure that our research directly incorporated community feedback. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has partnered with trusted community-based nonprofits (Family Service and Empower House). The study will be accessible to participants in English and Spanish and we will also work to accommodate other languages and individuals with disabilities in an effort to reduce barriers to participate. And finally, the G.O.A.L.S. Initiative recognizes the value of our community’s time and expertise. At a minimum each participant can receive $250 in gift cards over the two years for completing surveys with the potential for either economic coaching, cash assistance or a combination of both.
Why is Methodist Healthcare Ministries supporting this effort?
Two years ago, Methodist Healthcare Ministries commemorated 25 years of service to communities across South Texas. As we crossed the quarter-century mark, we asked ourselves: “Were the health and well-being of communities across South Texas improving?”
The answer for many of our patients and clients was—yes! However, when we looked at overall population health metrics across communities in our service area, we saw that many community-wide metrics were not improving. We knew we had to set a course for the next 25 years to make broader, community-wide impact. So, we committed ourselves to a new strategic vision and plan rooted in health equity.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Commitment to Health Equity:Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. believes that to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” it must recognize the inequities inherent in its communities that contribute to poor health outcomes. Health Equity is both the process and goal by which Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to carry out that purpose. Health Equity is a framework of thought and action that strives to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life and contribute to that of others. |
As part of our new strategic plan and focus on health equity, we committed to impacting systemic change in the communities we serve, and economic mobility is one of our focus areas.
Our work to advance health equity includes addressing systemic and root causes of inequity to disrupt the cycle of inter-generational poverty. As we examined those roots, poverty, especially generational poverty, stood out as being one of the strongest risk factors for poor health. Particularly, the link between financial well-being—and physical and mental health.
Financial independence directly contributes to our quality of life—it impacts where we can live, what types of foods and services we can access, the quality of our education and access to healthcare. Generational poverty is when poverty persists in a family for at least two generations and is affected by employment, economic, education, and other community-wide systems that have historically excluded and marginalized entire communities through racism, sexism, and other injustices. To disrupt cycles of generational poverty and improve the social and economic factors that impact community health outcomes, solutions must acknowledge the inherent dignity of each person and the circumstances that exist across communities. Solutions should build upon existing assets of individuals and communities and allow individuals and families to best meet their financial needs and life goals.
There are several steps Methodist Healthcare Ministries is committed to taking in order to address generational poverty and promote prosperity. We are going to identify, invest in, and support approaches that address root causes of poverty and financial outcomes for individuals and families living in poverty. We will focus on strengthening financial inclusion, knowledge, behaviors and opportunities through financial information, education and coaching opportunities, along with capital and asset building to develop financial capability and security.
Our hope is that in two years, when the results of this economic study emerge, we will have a clear understanding of the approaches and strategies that can help strengthen families and foster thriving communities across our service area. We hope the findings will be a model for other organizations and communities to follow to promote generational prosperity across the country.
It’s a lofty goal, for sure, but doing so will be just one more example of our efforts to bring the words of John Wesley to life. We’ll be doing all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can.
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Resources
Since 1996, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested more than $412 million in grants within our 74-county service-area. We believe that everyone deserves a fair opportunity to make the choices that lead to good health. Traditionally, our Community Investments department has made it a priority to promote access to clinical care in underserved communities, but we also recognize that root causes of poor health outcomes must be addressed if we are to achieve health equity and intervene effectively to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
With a national movement towards value-based payment models by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other payors, in 2016 Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Community Investments department developed a new grant program aligned with value-based concepts. These concepts included emphasizing quality of care rather than quantity of care and incentivizing health improvement through a flexible funding model.
This program, initially called Integrated Health Improvement, focused on improving specific health outcomes for a qualified panel of patients. A funding amount was allotted per patient on the panel, consisting of a base amount and incentive amounts. If the panel of patients reached the health outcome goal(s) by the end of the year, the funded partner received the incentive payment(s) for the goal(s) that was met. To the department’s knowledge, this program was one of the first, if not the first, value-based program from a regional nonprofit funder in South Texas, and it inspired another funder in our service area to support a similar program.
From 2017 to 2021, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ value-based grant program served complex care patients in South Texas. During this time period, 15 of our Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) funded partners participated in this program.
Since the first grant year in 2017, the value-based program went through many adjustments, which were informed by funded partner feedback and outcome performance. One of the most notable changes to the program was the addition of prevention components after hearing from grantees that preventive measures were key to improving the health of the patient populations they served. The program was aptly renamed “Integrated Health Improvement & Prevention”.
Throughout the years, key program components remained similar—including patient eligibility, which specified that panel patients needed to be over 18 years of age, uninsured or underinsured, low-income, and patients must have at least two of the required comorbidities. Comorbidities included depression, pre-diabetes or diabetes, hypertension, and overweight or obesity. Health outcome goals also remained similar and reflected the specified comorbidities.
As we reflect on the program, we think there were many successes. Flexible funding allowed our partners to use their grant dollars in ways best suited to achieve program success. Some partners used this program to try new things for their health centers, like case management, patient dashboards, and program contracts/agreements with patients. During the program, partners increased their quality of care, including improving documentation, establishing and improving workflows, and strengthening follow-up with patients. These changes also helped grantees better prepare for reports and reviews from other funders. Their efforts helped to establish a consistent source of health care for patients, and patients exhibited improvement in their health. As we spent additional time with partners at their centers and communicated with them through email and phone to provide technical assistance and for audits, our relationships with partners strengthened.
There were also challenges with the program. Grantees, especially in rural areas, often have staff that wear multiple hats, making this complex program difficult to implement and manage. The program required ample staff time and training to develop and implement many processes, including finding or recruiting patients that met panel criteria, documenting their clinical data and financial information, and reporting back on patient level data four times a year. As partners built new processes, some encountered challenges with their electronic health record or billing systems. Once set-up and staff training were completed, another challenge that arose was patient attrition due to reasons such as patients moving, changing providers, or changing phone numbers. This made it difficult to fill the patient panel and keep patients engaged in care to help meet the challenging program metrics.
To help our partners with their challenges, we provided one-on-one technical assistance, held workshops, and sought their continuous feedback and suggestions through surveys and multiple check-ins. We modified and simplified the program design where we could. Modifications included explaining program elements more thoroughly and adjusting the program metrics to be more achievable. We simplified the reporting as the years went on, aiming to ask for only what was needed to determine panel eligibility, panel size, and metric attainment. We also connected partners with each other, to share ideas on electronic health record templates, program set-up, and eligibility documentation. If the challenges were too extensive for the partner—such as consistently not meeting their panel size or not meeting most goals—we transitioned them to another grant structure.
Many lessons were learned throughout the program, and in 2021 the program came to an end at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, as our organization changed its strategy around grant-making to be focused on achieving health equity and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty by addressing root causes and the Social Determinants of Health.
Our funded partner, Gateway Community Health Center, designed their value-based program, “Lado A Lado” or “Side by Side”, for their clinic locations in and around Laredo, Texas, and had great success with the value-based program. Gateway shared their experience with the program, and how it impacted their clinics and the lives of their patients in the video below.
As Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to focus on efforts that promote health equity in the communities we serve across South Texas, one of the critical components to support resilient families and thriving communities within its service area across South Texas – are Communities of Solutions.
What exactly is a Community of Solution? It’s defined as a framework that supports communities in cultivating behaviors, processes and systems that, over time, result in a culture of health and sustainable improvements in health, well-being and equity, according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has adopted this valuable framework to help address the challenges faced by the communities it serves – challenges like health inequity, social and economic injustice and structural racism.
Jennifer Knoulton, vice president of regional operations at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, said, “Social determinants of health contribute more to health and well-being than quality clinical care — it is believed that no more than 20% of our health is due to clinical care. Health and well-being are strongly impacted by the strength of the vital conditions in our communities, things such as humane housing, reliable transportation, meaningful work and wealth, a sense of belonging and civic muscle and basic needs such as safety and nutritious food.”
She said Methodist Healthcare Ministries will provide support in their Communities of Solutions journey through coaching, resources and a learning collaborative, as it recognizes that communities in South Texas are faced with an abundance of health inequities which, for some, can be barriers to achieving health and wellness.
“In order to improve the balance, various sectors in area communities will need to unite for change. One of these valuable sectors will be Community-Faith Connections—bringing in valuable insight from local church congregations into a Communities of Solutions learning collaborative. The Communities of Solutions and Community-Faith Connections are a way of connecting our neighbors to pursue their health and wellness,” said Knoulton. “These communities will have the opportunity to learn from and with each other, as they engage partners across these sectors, including residents with living experience of inequity which will enable them to learn, plan, and act together.”
Mickey McCandless, director of church connections at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, said, “Faith communities are instrumental contributors to growing a thriving community and have demonstrated to be vital contributors to human and community development, as they shift from charity to equity to liberation in their approach.”
The Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative is the initial means by which Methodist Healthcare Ministries will support participants of Communities of Solutions and Community-Faith Connections, as they engage in community transformation and develop strategies to address social determinants of health, as well as root causes of inequity in their communities.
Knoulton said Phase 1 of the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative will bring interested communities together for peer learning, coaching, and monthly webinars to expand on skills in leadership, implementation, change management, collaboration and other critical areas.
“Both Communities of Solutions and Community-Faith Connections are closely aligned with our strategic priorities which are, "Resilient Families" and "Thriving Communities," as they work to address systemic issues,” she said. “Our Community Grants and Policy and Advocacy teams are also working collaboratively within thriving communities to address larger systemic issues.”
She said Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ hope is to walk alongside communities as they become healthier places to live, work, play, and pray.
“The residents in these communities know what has been tried in the past and are the most knowledgeable about what will likely succeed going forward,” explained Knoulton. “A Communities of Solutions framework acknowledges that while Methodist Healthcare Ministries can accompany communities in their journey toward becoming healthier places for all, true leadership for that journey must come from the people who call those communities home.”
She added that the Communities of Solutions approach will have a lasting impact in our communities for decades to come, as we diligently work together to further our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”
The Communities of Solutions work is expected to begin in March of 2021 through the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative in various counties across South Texas. For more information about the application process, please send an email to ThrivingCommunities@mhm.org.
The year 2020 will be well remembered by the McCandless family — yet not in the shiniest of terms. It has been filled with a diagnosis of breast cancer for my spouse, followed by treatment over six months and now recovery and strengthening. The thankful part of that scenario is that by working from home, I was able to continue to engage and complete work virtually. I was also able to be present for my spouse 
during her treatment and provide physical and emotional support as she was at home. For that, I am very grateful.
I am also grateful for the prayers so many of my team members and friends provided during our journey and their consistent support. The medical staff at The Start Center and Methodist Hospital gave us quality treatment and support along the way.
I am grateful for the sharing that many of you have done, as I have heard your stories of the challenges during COVID-19 of invasive diseases and the social changes that have shaken foundations within our nation and world. It is through our sharing that we come to know one another heart-to-heart, have compassion for one another, and become community that reflects God’s Kingdom. I am grateful for each of you allowing me to be part of your spiritual journey, as we face together the complexities of life.
I am grateful for my family, First United Methodist Church Kerrville, Peterson Hospice, and especially my siblings as my mom succumbed to pancreatic cancer at home where we could visit with her, comfort her, and celebrate life lived well. It is difficult to lose a parent, yet to see God’s presence and be sustained by God’s caring people was a blessing and another event for which I am grateful.
God has accompanied me during this year and reminded me of God’s sustaining power to face the future unafraid. Thanksgiving 2020 will be filled with less food and people in one place than in years past, yet it will be celebrated with a deeper sense of gratitude than many that have preceded it. May you remember this year and find those people and events for which you are thankful. Especially, I give thanks for God and God’s love always for all of God’s children.
I lost my grandmother in September 1995 to Alzheimer’s Disease. My mother predicted back then that she would probably also inherit the disease. Many decades later, she sought the advice of a neurologist at the first signs of the disease. Initially, symptoms were small things like forgetting why you went to the grocery store or not finding your purse for weeks. Then it turned into constantly repeating the same things, being a danger to herself and others in the kitchen, forgetting how to swallow or how to walk and, ultimately, being unable to recognize us as her family. My mother was taking all the known medications for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alzheimer’s affects the family and caregivers in ways not many can fully comprehend. You come to understand that as the days go by, you will see less and less glimpses of the real person behind the disease. You learn how to let go a little more each day of that which you can no longer control. It is truly heartbreaking. Regardless of the things mom would say or do, I would try to find humor in the situation or distract her in some way to not make her aware of how the disease was progressing. Even while living five hours away, I tried to visit as often as I could and do the things that we always enjoyed doing like having lunch together, gardening and having a snow cone or ice cream. Quality time was everything.
Supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is extremely personal to me. Like my mom, I too am aware that this is genetic and that at some point in the future my memory may also fail me. I’ve learned that staying physically active is one way to delay the onset of the disease, which is probably why I am so passionate about fitness. Two years ago, I joined the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of my mom and grandmother. I baked cakes, breads, and pies in exchange for donations. What better way to honor the two ladies who taught me how to cook than to share their baking legacy?
The walk this year will be done virtually with the convenience of doing the walk wherever you desire and with or without a small group. Please join us in raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. My life literally depends on it.
Dr. Angelica Lozano is a dentist at Dixon Health & Wellness Center. She and her husband, René Nieto, have been married for two years. The couple has two furry friends – Max Ivan and Daisy Dukes. She and her husband enjoy gardening, hiking, and working-out, together.
You can help support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s by joining Team MHM. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to serve as a Presenting Sponsor for the third consecutive year and honored to be partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association. Together, we can help find a cure for this disease. Click hereto register.
Can we count you in?The coronavirus pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the wellness of every American. It has changed the way we live, work and pray and introduced extraordinary measures we as responsible citizens are now taking to safeguard the health and wellness of our families and communities. And now, it threatens to negatively impact communities across the country over the next ten years if we don’t take decisive action to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 U.S. Census count.
Each new decade, the United States Census Bureau conducts a census to make sure we have an accurate population count, as required by the U.S. Consitutuion. Those results are used to make important funding decisions for dozens of federal programs, including deciding how much money each state receives in response to a disaster. This has been especially critical during the coronavirus pandemic as Texas received billions in funding through the relief bills passed by Congress. The funds have come in the form of assistance to hospitals, unemployment assistance benefits, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small business, increases to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars and much more.
To pick an example from our current Census funding cycle, in 2015 the federal government distributed $675 B to over 132 programs supporting services and activities Texans rely on every day. Those critical dollars provide the essential infrastructure and opportunities to support resilient families and sustain thriving communities across Texas.
To lay out where the impact can be seen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds SNAP Benefits, as well as funding for national school lunch programs. For many hard-working, low-income Texas families, these programs ensure nutritional meals for children who might otherwise go without.
The U.S. Department of Education awards funding for Title 1 Grant dollars for local education agencies, as well as funding for special education programs that support children with special abilities. With educational attainment levels increasingly being recognized as a critical social determinant of health—programs like these are essential in shaping how our children learn and grow to reach their full health and potential.
Similarly, the Small Business Administration (SBA) allocates funding for its Small Business Development Centers using census data. Thriving communities where small businesses get the support they need to flourish contribute significantly to a strong local job market and economy.
Even the Department of Transportation utilizes census data to allocate monies for highway planning and construction, as well as highway safety grant programs. This is especially important outside of metropolitan areas, where access to care is connected by the roads the state build and maintains—more and better roads means increased opportunities to provide quality care.
With just about every federal agency looking to census data to make decisions about how much funding each state receives to operate these types of critical programs, the case for a complete census count becomes clear.
As of August 20, Texas ranks 39th in the United States in response rate to the census. 38 otherstates are doing a better job of making sure its residents are counted. Being undercounted means that Texas stands to lose billions in vital federal funding dollars. We must do better.
To crystalize the criticality of a complete count, after the 2010 Census, enrollment in Hidalgo County’s Head Start Program capped at an enrollment of 3,600, however an estimated 14,000 children qualified for that program. That’s over 10,000 children that were left out of this empowering education program, which then hinders their ability to succeed in school and beyond.
Historically, Texas has a high share of “hard to count” populations, especially minorities, children under the age of five and low-income families that were underrepresented in previous census counts according to a study “The 2020 Census: Why It’s Important.” The impact on our state is real.
At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are focused on supporting the wellness of resilient families that make up thriving communities in 74 South Texas counties. That’s why we are invested in doing all we can to ensure every Texan participates and gets counted. We want to make sure Texas receives the funds it needs—and deserves—to help lift up our communities.
As our communities rightly struggle to manage the impact of COVID-19, it is equally imperative to not allow the coronavirus to take an accurate census count away from us. Texas is counting on you, can you be counted on to complete your census and help shape the future health of our communities?
Jaime Wesolowski is the President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., a faith-based, not-for-profit organization working to create access to care for low-income, uninsured families through services, strategic grant-making and community partnerships in 74 counties across South Texas.
A version of this OpEd has run in the McAllen Monitor and the Brownsville Herald.
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La pandemia de coronavirus ha tenido un tremendo impacto en el bienestar de todos los Estadounidenses. Ha cambiado la forma en que vivimos, trabajamos y oramos, e introdujo medidas extraordinarias que ahora estamos tomando para salvaguardar la salud de nuestras familias y comunidades. Y ahora, amenaza con impactar negativamente a las comunidades de todo el país durante los próximos diez años si no tomamos medidas decisivas para garantizar un recuento completo y preciso del censo.
Cada nueva década, el United States Census Bureau realiza un censo para asegurarse de que tengamos un recuento preciso de la población, como lo exige la Constitución de los Estados Unidos. Esos resultados se utilizan para tomar importantes decisiones de financiación para numerosos programas federales, incluyendo la decisión de cuánto dinero recibe cada estado en respuesta a un desastre. Esto ha sido especialmente fundamental durante la pandemia de coronavirus, ya que Texas recibió billones en fondos a través de los proyectos aprobados por el Congreso. Los fondos han llegado en forma de asistencia para hospitales, beneficios de asistencia por desempleo, préstamos del Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) para pequeños negocios, aumentos en los dólares del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) y mucho más.
Para tomar un ejemplo de nuestro ciclo actual de financiación del Censo, en 2015 el gobierno federal distribuyó $675 B a más de 132 programas que ayudan a los servicios y actividades de los que dependen los texanos todos los días. Esos dólares fundamentales proporcionan la infraestructura necesaria y las oportunidades para ayudar a las familias resilientes y mantener comunidades prósperas a través de Texas.
Para mostrar dónde se puede ver el impacto, el U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) financia los Beneficios del SNAP, así como fondos para programas nacionales de comidas escolares. Para muchas familias de bajos ingresos, estos programas aseguran comidas nutritivas para los niños que de otro modo no tendrían.
El U.S. Department of Educationotorga fondos para los dólares del Subsidio Título 1 para agencias locales de educación, así como fondos para programas de educación especial que apoyan a niños con habilidades especiales. Programas como estos son esenciales para determinar cómo nuestros niños aprenden y crecen para alcanzar su plena salud potencial.
Del mismo modo, el Small Business Administration (SBA) asigna fondos para sus Centros de Desarrollo de Pequeños Negocios utilizando datos del censo. Las comunidades prósperas donde los pequeños negocios obtienen la ayuda que necesitan para prosperar contribuyen significativamente a un mercado laboral y una economía local fuerte.
Incluso el Department of Transportation utiliza datos del censo para asignar fondos para la planificación y construcción de carreteras. Esto es especialmente importante fuera de las áreas metropolitanas, porque más y mejores carreteras significan mayores oportunidades para brindar atención de calidad.
Con casi todas las agencias federales buscando datos del censo para tomar decisiones sobre la cantidad de fondos que recibe cada estado para operar este tipo de programas fundamentales, queda clara la cuestión de un conteo completo del censo.
A partir del 20 de agosto, Texas ocupa el puesto 39ª en los Estados Unidos en tasa de respuesta al censo. Otros 38 estados están haciendo un mejor trabajo para asegurarse de que sus residentes sean contados. No ser contados en su totalidad significa que Texas perderá billones de dólares en importantes fondos federales. Debemos hacerlo mejor.
Para materializar la importancia de un conteo completo, después del Censo 2010, la inscripción en el Programa Head Start del Condado de Hidalgo se limitó a una inscripción de 3,600, sin embargo, se estima que 14,000 niños calificaron para ese programa. Son más de 10,000 niños que quedaron fuera de este programa educativo, que luego limita su capacidad de tener éxito en la escuela.
Históricamente, Texas tiene una gran proporción de poblaciones "difíciles de contar", especialmente las minorías, los niños menores de cinco años y las familias de bajos ingresos que fueron subrepresentadas en los recuentos censales anteriores según un estudio “The 2020 Census: Why It’s Important." El impacto en nuestro estado es real.
En Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. estamos enfocados en apoyar el bienestar de las familias resilientes que forman comunidades prósperas en 74 condados del Sur de Texas. Es por eso que estamos comprometidos en hacer todo lo posible para garantizar que cada texano participe y sea contado. Queremos asegurarnos de que Texas reciba los fondos que necesita, y merece, para ayudar a mejorar nuestras comunidades.
A medida que nuestras comunidades luchan correctamente para controlar el impacto del COVID-19, es igualmente imperativo no permitir que el coronavirus nos quite un censo preciso. ¿Se puede contar con usted para completar su censo y ayudar a dar forma a la salud futura de nuestras comunidades
Jaime Wesolowski es el Presidente y Director Ejecutivo de Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., una organización sin fines de lucro basada en la fe que trabaja para crear acceso a la atención para familias de bajos ingresos y sin seguro a través de servicios, subvenciones estratégicas y asociaciones comunitarias en 74 condados en el Sur de Texas.
On Aug. 20, the City of San Antonio City Council approved a resolution titled "Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis And to Establish Stronger Efforts to Promote Racial Equity in San Antonio." After laying out the historical and data-based reasoning for the resolution, the Council declared a commitment to taking several steps to address the impact of racisim on our community, particularly with regards to health and racial equity. The resolution passed by a vote of 9-0 with one abstention and one absence.
On behalf of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I applaud the City of San Antonio City Council for passing this resolution today and making it clear that racism is a public health issue negatively affecting our community. We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries stand ready to support efforts to engage “historically marginalized communities in the development of policy solutions for local issues related to health equity; and improving data systems in order to disaggregate health data by race/ethnicity and income and facilitate data-informed decision-making processes to address the health disparities in our community."
We know in order to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” we must recognize the inequities inherent in communities we live in and serve that contribute to poor health outcomes. Health Equity is both the process and goal by which Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to carry out that purpose. Health Equity is a framework of thought and action that strives to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunity for every person to reach their full potential for health and life and contribute to that of others.
Today's announcement by the San Antonio City Council is a great step towards health equity for our community. Together, we can do much more to support resilient families and thriving communities across South Texas.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. provided two San Antonio youths with a unique opportunity to gain real-world work experience from its experts during this year’s San Antonio Works Summer Internship Program, which started July 6 and ends Aug. 14.
This year might look different, due to the pandemic, but Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ interns were still able to learn what it’s like to work at an organization like the nonprofit, despite not being able to meet their mentors and build a professional network in person.
Nhyla Davis is a high school senior at the International School of the Americas, a magnet school in the Northeast Independent School District, and has been interning at Methodist Healthcare Ministries for the last month. She said the experience is providing her with an edge in the workforce.
“I’ve felt from the beginning that this was the perfect internship for me because lots of my passions are aligned with Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission and commitment to serve the underserved,” said Davis.
Davis is grateful for the opportunity to further her career exploration and earn money for her hard work over the summer, while gaining the experience she needs for her future. Interning from home during a global pandemic has been interesting for her, as well.
“With all that is happening in the world – from protests to the pandemic, things can become very stressful and very quickly. Even though nothing has been certain, and things are happening in ways we’d never experienced before, my school decided to stick to yearly traditions and continue to implement the requirements for securing an internship,” she said.
And, despite the challenges a pandemic can bring to our communities, she believes focusing on the positive is extremely important and will pay off in the long run.
“In the beginning, I was worried that I wouldn’t secure an internship because of our world’s current situation. I was turned down from the first two internships that I applied for so when I checked my voicemails and saw that Karla De la Tejera from Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ HR department had left me a voicemail, I was extremely happy and hoped that the third time would be the charm. And, it was,” she said.
Alex Bryant, also a Methodist Healthcare Ministries intern this summer, said he seized the opportunity to participate in the program because he wanted to experience what it’s like to work in the field of information technology and cybersecurity, which is his passion.
“I’m definitely getting real-world work experience and I’m also gaining more communications and computer skills. I’m learning to be more patient as I learn. And, I appreciate that I’m treated like a responsible adult. I’m also getting a nice refresh on Microsoft software and I’m getting to learn new skills as well,” said Bryant.
Bryant is a high school senior at Roosevelt, also in the Northeast Independent School District, in San Antonio. He said interning at Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided him with the gift to network and connect with IT professionals supporting team members who are working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m working from home but staying very busy helping the IT team with various computer projects. It’s been great. I review my daily tasks and connect with my mentor, Chris Barron. I also help with imaging computers and serve as technical support to team members having issues with their computers. I really enjoy helping employees get their computers working again,” he said
Davis agreed. She said interning at Methodist Healthcare Ministries has taught her better organizational skills as she tackles assigned projects each day.
“I begin the day by checking my emails and meeting with my mentor to talk about my day and to-do list, then I join online meetings with Methodist Healthcae Ministries teams. I work on flowcharts and other process improvement projects,” she described.
Davis and Bryant both said they are looking forward to returning to school in-person, but they realize they may have to continue to learn virtually in the new school year.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries wishes Nhyla Davis and Alex Bryant a bright future, as they begin the next chapter in their learning experience.
Are you spending any time outdoors this summer? Summer is usually a time when most of us like going outside more often. However, due to COVID-19, for many who planned on heading to the beach, theme parks or participating in outdoor sports and birthday parties at the park, it’s going to take some creativity for fun in the sun this year. So, while you are getting creative with your summer activities, there are ways to keep yourself and your family cool and safe when outdoors.
I’d like to share a few summer safety tips with you, as you plan your outings with family.
If you plan on grilling your meals outside, which is very popular in South Texas, be sure to do it safely. Did you know that grilling fires spark more than 10,000 home fires on average each year? Practice prevention with the following tips.
So, as you plan your summer outings, please be mindful of your surroundings and try to incorporate some fun but safe activities with your family. Stay safe and healthy!
May 11, 2020
Dear Wesley Nurses:
This week, this month, this year—the spotlight is on you. 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale—pioneer of modern nursing—and has been designated the “Year of the Nurse” by the World Health Organization. More importantly, we are shining a light on you now because of the invaluable role you continue to play in providing compassionate care to the least served during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a young pastor, I served on staff at a church that received one of the very first Wesley Nurses. Since that time, I have observed and worked with Wesley Nurses from a variety of positions. I have seen lives saved through health assessments and prescription assistance. Pastors and other leaders have learned the wisdom of asset-based community assessment. I witnessed a whole congregation as it flipped from dying to thriving, through a nurse’s community connections. I have served alongside Wesley Nurses with gratitude and pride.
Now as a board member for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I rejoice to see the collective scope and impact of your work. Across the 74 counties within the Rio Texas Conference, your work is nimble, creative, and contextual. All the nurses I have known personally have relished the working environment that allows them to bring themselves fully to the work of healing bodies and spirits, fulfilling the MHM mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.” The following reflection, written by a friend of the program, is a rendering of that labor of love.
A Wesley Nurse offers:
We shine a light of celebration and honor on you, Wesley Nurses, because your light shines so brightly amidst our church and communities. Thank you for your faithfulness and your service, which I know at times only God fully sees, and which has blessed us immeasurably. May God inspire and strengthen you, shining the true light from which all goodness comes, reflecting through you always as beacons of divine mercy and love.
Grace and peace,
Laura Merrill
Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence
Jaime Wesoloski
President & Chief Executive Officer
