MHM invests nearly $150 million to advance health equity across South Texas
San Antonio, TX June 14, 2023) – In 2023, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is investing $149.9 million to advance health equity and strengthen communities across its 74-county service area. That amount includes direct services, community investments, the development of community partnerships and advocacy initiatives that create a more level playing field for individuals to thrive. The organization’s 2023 commitment represents an increase of 25% from its 2022 investment.
That $149.9 million propels a strategic focus on advancing health equity, the framework of thought and action guiding the organization’s efforts to address systemic inequities and socio-economic barriers that keep people from living their healthiest lives.
“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are broadening the definition of health care through invaluable partnerships with vital community-focused agencies across Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "Our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ shines more brightly when reflected through the bold vision, leadership and hard work of our board of directors, 475+ team members and partners caring for our communities in ways are uniquely positioned to do to advance health equity in our 74-county service area.”
MHM’s mission also includes its one-half ownership of Methodist Healthcare—the largest healthcare system in South Texas. The ownership structure ensures Methodist Healthcare continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all, and earnings to MHM to care for the uninsured and economically disadvantaged throughout South Texas.
To ensure the organization delivers on its mission, vision, and strategy; its $149.9M is allocated across several key areas of investment at MHM: Grants, Strategic Operating Initiatives, Direct Services and administrative costs that support these initiatives. To ensure its investment carries the highest level of community impact, MHM has consistently kept its administrative expenses under 15%—required to receive the highest possible points from Charity Navigator for analysis.
Grants:
MHM has allocated $43.8 million in community grants to over 130 nonprofit agencies across its 74-county service area. The grants are rooted in partnerships that support access to care, integrated delivery systems and patient-centered models. MHM’s goal is to create measurable impact at the community and regional levels to further establish health care networks.
MHM aims to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting organizations that address the community conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and pray. Grant recipients in 2023 address one of the following priority areas: access to care – mental and behavioral health; access to care – general; digital inclusion and broadband infrastructure; food security; housing; education and workforce development.
MHM allocated funding to over 138 grant programs to deepen collaborative efforts, incentivize quality health outcomes, leverage and strengthen health care delivery systems and promote sustainable systems change. Click here to see our 2023 funded partners.
Of the more than 130 community investment grant recipients in 2023, 40% were first-time recipients for MHM, meaning the process was successful in creating new opportunities for organizations in need of support. Fourteen percent are focused on addressing issues that are upstream, meaning MHM is intentionally addressing conditions and circumstances that affect the health and well-being of patients and clients before they might reach out to MHM, or its partners, for assistance. Sixteen percent of grant recipients represent rural communities, furthering efforts to support organizations outside of urban areas.
An example of how MHM supports its funded partners is Community Health Development, Inc. (CHDI) in Uvalde, TX which will receive $1,380,527 to construct a new facility in Real County to expand its current services and provide additional support staff and medical, dental, and behavioral health providers. CHDI’s “Expanding Access to Comprehensive Care in Uvalde and Real Counties” project focuses on efforts to increase its capacity. For over 39 years, CHDI has been committed to providing the highest level of quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to those in greatest need in Uvalde. However, barriers, such as the recruitment and retention of qualified staff at all levels and disciplines in Uvalde, as well as facility limitations in Real County, have kept the agency from serving more people in need. Through this community investment, CHDI will be able to address its two most significant challenges and advance health equity in the communities they serve.
“CHDI is honored to have had MHM as a partner supporting our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve since 2009,” said Mayela Castañon, CEO of Community Health Development, Inc. “MHM’s partnership over the years has enabled CHDI to increase access to dental services in Uvalde, and with this investment, CHDI will build a new 8,000 square foot state-of-the-art primary care center in Leakey to expand access to medical and dental care, ensuring that thousands have access to affordable dental care. CHDI is extremely grateful to have MHM as a community partner that demonstrates a significant commitment to improving community health, especially in rural areas!!”
Strategic Operating Initiatives:
In addition to the annual grants to partners, MHM has allocated nearly $21 million toward strategic initiatives that amplify its overall strategic goals and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. MHM is investing in approaches that address the root causes of poverty and health inequities, such as cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, policy/legislative action eliminating barriers and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families and communities. Examples of the types of initiatives MHM is investing in include: economic mobility, access to clean water, community-led collaboration initiatives and efforts to close the digital divide.
Direct Services
Creating access to care through the provision of clinical services has always been key to the organization's mission. MHM operates two San Antonio-based primary health care clinics: Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and two school-based health centers: George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary. The clinics address the needs of low-income families and the uninsured by providing services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale. The health care services MHM provides are a cornerstone of its charitable purpose of creating access to care. Additionally, MHM offers health care services and programs throughout its 74-county service area including community counseling services, Community Health Worker program, Get FIT prevention program, parenting support groups and Wesley Nurse program.
Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.5 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.
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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.