Tag Archives: Health

Baptist Health System creates the South Texas Lung Institute – the region’s first dedicated lung disease treatment program

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Baptist HealthcareTo provide the South Texas region with a high-quality, well-coordinated lung cancer treatment program, Baptist Health System has created the South Texas Lung Institute. The institute is the premier center for the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease and lung cancer. Baptist Health System is the first to open this type of center in South Texas which provides a multi-disciplinary collaboration of area physicians and health care resources and a navigated program for lung disease and lung cancer patients.

At its core, the South Texas Lung Institute brings together pulmonologists, oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, and primary care physicians to work collaboratively with St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital to provide highly coordinated lung cancer treatment for patients.

“The navigation aspect of this program is key in which the South Texas Lung Institute is the first to offer this type of service. With one phone call into the program, high-risk patients are referred to a host of treatment resources,” stated John Knox, St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital President.

With guidelines established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the institute’s patient navigator guides patients, who are determined to be high-risk, through the screening process and their entire treatment working with the patient’s specialists and primary care physician to recommend next steps of care as needed.

High-risk individuals are those that meet the following criteria: are between the ages of 55-74 and have a history of smoking equal to or greater than 30 years (a pack a day) or if an ex-smoker, have quit within the last 15 years.

For more information on the patient services available at the South Texas Lung Institute, call 210-297-LUNG or visit SouthTexasLungInstitute.com.

About Baptist Health System
Baptist Health System is a trusted provider of health care in San Antonio and South Texas. The System includes five acute-care hospitals (Baptist Medical Center, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, North Central Baptist Hospital, Northeast Baptist Hospital, and St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital) which offer 1,674 licensed beds.  All five hospitals have earned Accredited Chest Pain Center designation, as well as Primary Stroke Center Certification.  Medicare has designated each as Texas’ only Medicare Value Based Care Centers.

The system also includes Baptist Regional Children’s Center, Baptist Breast Center, Baptist Cancer Center, HealthLink wellness and fitness center and physical rehabilitation centers.  Other entities include Baptist M&S Imaging Centers, community health and wellness programs, ambulatory services, medical office buildings and School of Health Professions.  Baptist Health System supports the work of Faith Family Clinics, Baptist Emergency Hospitals, San Antonio AirLIFE air medical transport and other health-related services and affiliations.  The system is part of Tenet Healthcare Corporation, based out of Dallas, Texas.

Gold’s Gym introduces Summer SweatFest

By North SA Chamber Editor
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180x150-GoldsGym

Gold’s Gym is introducing a new summer workout series called “Summer SweatFest”. Make plans to get in shape this summer and join Gold’s Gym for a seriously fun, goal-achieving boot camp series all summer long. The best part? It’s FREE!

Simply show up to one of the below locations, Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Come sweat with us!

Summer SweatFest Series:

June 14th Prue Road

June 21st Bandera Pointe

June 28th Live Oak

July 26th Goliad

August 2nd Culebra Road

August 9th Evans Road

August 16th Nacogdoches

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Fit Family Challenge gets families moving together this summer

By North SA Chamber Editor
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SASFExhibiting a commitment to promote San Antonio as a healthy and active community, Councilman Rey Saldaña joined San Antonio Sports officials to kick off the 2014 Fit Family Challenge, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, at City Hall on Tuesday, May 13.

Organized by San Antonio Sports, the fifth annual Fit Family Challenge anticipates registration of a record number of San Antonio families to participate in fitness activities between May and August.

A grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation supports the free family fitness program aimed at motivating families to break away from a sedentary lifestyle, get out of the house and come together for fun, fitness-focused events.

“Programs like the San Antonio Sports Fit Family Challenge are helping families get healthy together,” said Councilman Rey Saldaña.  “It’s free.  It’s fun.   And it’s accessible to everyone.”

fitfamilychallengeThe San Antonio Sports Fit Family Challenge, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, is comprised of four three-week sessions that run from May 17-August 9. It promotes a healthy lifestyle by encouraging people to make small changes, such as integrating a walk into everyday routines and choosing fruit over candy for snacks. There are 101 free events located throughout the city that include organized walks, 5K run/walks, Zumba and fitness classes for children.  There is something for every fitness level.

Participants are asked to 1) exercise as a family, at least 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week, 2) make healthy food choices and 3) keep a fitness journal through a tracking log or online tracking at fitfamilychallenge.com.   If they attend at least three weekly events during any of the four sessions, they are eligible for a prize drawing of $1000 at that session’s big event.

The program is open to all families in Bexar County. However, it focuses its message in the ten zip codes in San Antonio that have the highest rates of diabetes and obesity. Within those zip codes are seven school districts that include: San Antonio Independent School District, South

San Antonio ISD, Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, Southside ISD, Northside ISD and Southwest ISD.  In an effort to eliminate barriers to participation, the weekly events take place at schools in the target neighborhoods.

Parents are the key to having children adopt a healthy lifestyle says Russ Bookbinder, President and CEO of the nonprofit San Antonio Sports. “Our vision at San Antonio Sports is to have healthy kids.  When the whole family is involved, kids learn that taking care of their bodies is important. Through modeling to their children, parents have the power to influence behaviors that will reduce risks associated with diabetes, cancer, obesity, and a lifetime of low self-esteem.”

Mark Canales started his journey to health two years ago at the Fit Family Challenge D4 Heroes 5K.  Over the course of 13 months, he lost over 100 pounds, his fitness levels improved and energy levels soared.  He has kept the weight off and will be bringing 15 family and friends to his third D4 Heroes 5K.  “I remember my struggles, being uncomfortable in my own body.  Now I look forward to working out.  Diet, not dieting, is huge too.  My message to everyone is whatever you do, just start.  Change is gradual but it can happen and you’ll feel better.”

More than 1,000 people registered to run the D4 Heroes 5K – a free, chipped and timed race offered through the Fit Family Challenge on Saturday, May 17.  The remaining sessions’ big events are:

  • June 7 (with District 6)
  • June 28 (with District 8)
  • July 19 (District 3)
  • August 9.

Weekly schedule (May 19-Aug. 8):

Every Tuesday:
Linton Elementary (NISD) 6 p.m.
Dwight Middle School (SSAISD) 5:30 p.m.

Every Wednesday:
Emma Frey (EISD) 5 p.m.
Rayburn Elementary (HISD) 5 p.m.
Whittier Middle School (SAISD) 5:30 p.m.
Univision 41 Únase al Reto (Woodlawn Lake Park) 6 p.m.

Every Thursday:
9th Grade Academy (SISD) 5:30 p.m.
SW High School – 9th grade campus (SWISD) 5:30 p.m.

About Fit Family Challenge
Fit Family Challenge, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, is a 12-week summer program motivating San Antonio families to learn about and increase physical activity and healthy nutrition.  Fit Family Challenge is a program conducted by San Antonio Sports, with funding from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation and participation from sponsors, area school districts and volunteers.

UT Health Science Center San Antonio exceeds 10-year capital campaign goal

By North SA Chamber Editor
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UTHSA_logoPresident William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio recently announced the official conclusion of the university’s 10-year Campaign for the Future of Health with a final tally of $607 million – far exceeding the $500 million goal.

In 2004, the UT Health Science Center San Antonio launched the historic Campaign for the Future of Health with the goal of enhancing the environment for discovery in the biosciences and building the university endowment to support the university’s vital missions of research, education, patient care and community service.

The generosity of 14,123 donors who contributed 42,327 gifts and raised $607 million allowed the Health Science Center to reach its decade-long goal.

Dr. Henrich said he is humbled by the outpouring of generosity in time and financial resources from donors and community leaders.

“I am inspired by their dedication to improving the future of health. The byproduct of their efforts is hope, and the beneficiaries are our patients and students,” Dr. Henrich said. “With our faculty and students, we tread with unwavering resolve on our quest to make lives better. On the horizon is our vision for a future of health that is filled with promise. Our journey has just begun.”

John T. Montford, chair of the Campaign for the Future of Health, said the bold vision that the Health Science Center and the President’s Development Board undertook in launching the capital campaign has been realized.

“Together, we surpassed our transformational half-billion-dollar goal and have left a mark that will make lives better for generations to come,” Montford said. “Through the generosity of every donor, the university is positioned to rank among the most preeminent universities in the nation and to advance our distinct missions of education, biomedical research, patient care and community service.”

Montford said the Health Science Center has earned its place as the chief catalyst for San Antonio’s $29.2 billion biosciences and health care industry. “The UT Health Science Center continues to impact the city’s economy in a substantial way through the competitive jobs it creates and the biomedical research discoveries that ease suffering and improve health,” he added.

The campaign picked up momentum in 2007 with a $25 million lead gift from The Greehey Family Foundation. This initial gift allowed the creation of the Greehey President’s Endowment for Excellence in Children’s Health Sciences and supports cancer research and educational and community programs benefiting children, especially those in greatest need. In 2013, a $5 million gift from the Greehey foundation pushed the campaign over its $500 million goal.

In 2008, philanthropists Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long made a transformational gift of $25 million to the Health Science Center. The Joe R. and Teresa L. Long Scholarship Research and Teaching Fund is an endowment supporting more than 50 students each year in medicine, nursing, graduate biosciences and physician assistant studies. It also supports faculty and research programs. This gift established the largest endowment in the history of the university and named the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Campus.

For current news from the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, please visit our news release website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health funding. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 29,000 graduates. The $765 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.

Humana Foundation relaunches philanthropic program, increasing grant amount for nonprofits in Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Humana green logoHumana Inc. and the Humana Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, announced a relaunch of their signature Humana Communities Benefit program, which will now award multi-year grants totaling $350,000 to an eligible nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in each of three areas: Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio. Organizations focused on promoting healthy behaviors and healthy relationships will be considered.

Also new to this year’s charitable giving program is the launch of an online community vote as part of the judging process, which will take place at the finalist stage.

The new structure of the Humana Communities Benefit program will award nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations a three-year infusion of funds, enabling the winning nonprofits to receive $200,000 the first year; $100,000 the second year; and $50,000 in the final year. Winners will use the Humana Foundation grant to create new programs or enhance ongoing activities that have a positive, transformational impact on the organization and the community.

“This new approach with Humana Communities Benefit is a natural evolution for the program as Humana and the Humana Foundation work to improve the health of the communities we serve nationwide,” said Humana President and CEO Bruce Broussard, who announced the new program today at a news conference in St. Petersburg, Fla. “We have added several new features to the program, including the online vote, which provides an opportunity for each community to have a stake in which organization in each region is awarded our $350,000 grant.”

The three areas for the charitable giving program’s new approach this spring are Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio.

“As we ushered in the renewal of Humana Communities Benefit, it was important for us to select communities where Humana has deep roots,” said Virginia Kelly Judd, Executive Director of the Humana Foundation. “We are excited to host this new phase of our charitable grant program in Tampa Bay, where Humana has its largest associate population (more than 3,500 Humana associates) outside of our corporate hometown, Louisville, Ky.; Chicago, where we started Humana Communities Benefit in 2003; and San Antonio, a new location for the program but a city where Humana has had a presence for more than three decades.”

The Humana Foundation charitable program has awarded more than $8 million to nonprofits in 11 communities nationwide since launching in Chicago in 2003. Previously, Humana Communities Benefit annually awarded one-time, $100,000 charitable grants to nonprofits.

“Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is so excited to break ground on the Humana Educational Pavilion at the Florida Learning Garden in Tampa thanks to the 2013 Humana Communities Benefit grant,” said Debbie Evenson, Executive Director of Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. “The Pavilion will provide an opportunity for children to learn about growing techniques and sustainable practices in a hands-on, educational environment that encourages healthy eating and healthy behaviors.”

Call for Entries
Organizations in Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio focused on promoting healthy behaviors and healthy relationships will be considered. Eligible nonprofit organizations in the following counties may submit their applications on humana.com/hcb, starting today until June 30:

  • Humana Communities Benefit in Tampa Bay – Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties
  • Humana Communities Benefit in Chicago – Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Lake and McHenry counties
  • Humana Communities Benefit in San Antonio – Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties

The timeline for the program is as follows:

  • Applications accepted: April 28 – June 30
  • Judging: August
  • Grant Recipients Named: September

New Program Features
The Humana Communities Benefit program will also launch a host of new features designed to educate nonprofits on the application process; connect former and prospective grant winners; and show communities locally and nationwide some of the work being done by nonprofit organizations. The new features include:

  • HCB Mentors. Prospective organizations can visit the mentor page (http://www.humana.com/hcbmentor) to connect with former Humana Communities Benefit grant winners regarding their experience with the process of applying for the grant.
  • E-Newsletter. The semi-annual digital newsletter will highlight news about the Humana Communities Benefit program, advice and tips from previous winners and success stories.
  • Online Community Vote.  The community will have an opportunity to weigh in on which organization in each community it feels is most deserving of the Humana Communities Benefit grant.  Voting will be based upon a video and short narrative submitted by three finalists in each city and will take place online.

About The Humana Foundation
The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., one of the nation’s leading health care companies. Located in Louisville, Ky., the site of Humana’s corporate headquarters, the Foundation focuses on promoting healthy behaviors and healthy relationships. The Foundation’s key funding priorities are childhood health, intergenerational health, and active lifestyles. For more information, visit www.humanafoundation.org.

Humana and the Humana Foundation are dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our goal is to ensure that every business decision we make reflects our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our members, our associates, the communities we serve and our planet.

About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at www.humana.com.

 

North Central Baptist Hospital opens dedicated oncology floor as part of ongoing $60 million expansion

By North SA Chamber Editor
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baptist hcs logoNorth Central Baptist Hospital has opened a new dedicated oncology floor as part of its ongoing $60 million, six-floor tower expansion. The oncology floor, with 28 private rooms, offers specialized medical and surgical care for cancer patients. It also includes the first unit in San Antonio and South Texas specifically designed to care for adolescent and young adult cancer patients between ages 17 and 25.

The oncology floor is designed not only to enhance the comfort of patients, it also will allow the medical staff to work at computers located closer to patients’ bedsides. And a new wireless phone system will facilitate more convenient communication for patients and staff.  In addition to the floor enhancements, all staff on the oncology floor are chemotherapy certified.

In designing the eight-room Adolescent and Young Adult unit, North Central Baptist Hospital sought input from patients in the 17 to 25 age group as well as feedback from physicians and nursing staff. The result is a dormitory-style setting, with private rooms that offer comfortable furniture including sleeper sofas, slider rockers, mini-fridges stocked with snacks, and a multi-media entertainment room with WiFi, theatre-style seating, game counsels and a movie library. The floor also includes a family retreat area, which is open to all floor visitors, offering a washer and dryer, comfortable seating and flat screen televisions.

North Central Baptist Hospital Oncology Floor
North Central Baptist Hospital’s six-floor tower expansion also includes the recent opening of the  new Labor and Delivery floors to provide comprehensive services including a private lactation area and pumping room, 43 nursery beds, room service for new parents and a complementary postpartum massage for new moms.

For more information on the services available at North Central Baptist Hospital and Baptist Health System, visit www.baptisthealthsystem.com.

About Baptist Health System
Baptist Health System is a trusted provider of health care in San Antonio and South Texas. The System includes five acute-care hospitals (Baptist Medical Center, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, North Central Baptist Hospital, Northeast Baptist Hospital, and St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital) which offer 1,674 licensed beds.  All five hospitals have earned Accredited Chest Pain Center designation, as well as Primary Stroke Center Certification.  Medicare has designated each as Texas’ only Medicare Value Based Care Centers.

The system also includes Baptist Regional Children’s Center, Baptist Breast Center, Baptist Cancer Center, HealthLink wellness and fitness center and physical rehabilitation centers.  Other entities include Baptist M&S Imaging Centers, community health and wellness programs, ambulatory services, medical office buildings and School of Health Professions.  Baptist Health System supports the work of Faith Family Clinics, Baptist Emergency Hospitals, San Antonio AirLIFE air medical transport and other health-related services and affiliations.  The system is part of Tenet Healthcare Corporation, based out of Dallas, Texas.

Humana opens health & well-being centers

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Humana green logoAttaining good health has become much more convenient for San Antonio-area residents with the opening of a Humana Health & Well-Being Center at two San Antonio Walmart locations – one at 1200 S.E. Military Drive and the other at 6703 Leslie Road.

Visitors to the centers can take advantage of a variety of health education resources. To help people continue to learn, the Humana Health & Well-Being Centers feature seminars and educational sessions that aim to keep brains and bodies fit, regardless of age. Community members can learn tips on monitoring diabetes, the importance of eye health, how to keep allergies under control and other topics that provide tools and information to make effective decisions about health and well-being.  Seminars run the gamut from healthy food and nutrition to lifestyle topics, such as how to keep the kitchen organized or how to use a tablet computer. A calendar of daily demonstrations is available free at each of the center locations.

The Health and Well-Being Centers offer adults of all ages a place to socialize and learn about ways to achieve lifelong well-being. Socially-connected adults are three times as likely to report very good or excellent health. Additional research supports that people with a strong social network have less stress and typically feel a greater sense of self-esteem. As a result, they take better care of themselves by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Among various activities available to local residents, the centers host live social events such as crafting for a cause, crafts for kids, planting 101, family fun, home budgeting and organization.

Walking programs provide the opportunity to join instructor-led groups to learn proper walking and stretching techniques while socializing with each other. The centers host a group of walkers, every Tuesday and Thursday, at 9 a.m. at Military Dr. and every Monday and Friday at 9 a.m. at Leslie Road, who walk inside the store. Participants even receive pedometers after they complete their first walk, helping them track their steps and calories burned.

Humana members can even speak in private with a customer service representative live through video chat via a computer. As an added bonus, some associates are bilingual in English and Spanish, allowing the centers to efficiently serve residents of Hispanic and Latino origin, who make up roughly two-thirds of the San Antonio population.

In addition, “The doctor will see you now” takes on a new, high-tech meaning at the Humana Health & Well-Being Center with its telemedicine suite. Patients who visit the center use the latest audio and video technology to speak directly to a Concentra physician who evaluates, diagnoses and treats their medical condition (prescriptions can be phoned in to the pharmacy at the Walmart location or to a pharmacy of the patient’s choice). Patients are assisted by an on-site medical professional during their visit. Telemedicine has been touted as a way to improve access to health care and is currently used in 34 percent of U.S. health centers.

Consults available include nurse visits such as health screenings and immunizations and urgent care services for such health issues as ear/eye infections, sore throats and sinus infections, allergies, stomach ailments, rashes and pain such as to a knee or lower back. Point of care tests for flu, strep or mono, administration of steroid, allergy or antibiotic shots and specimen collection and interpretation of tests sent to a laboratory can also be accomplished.

Visits would not include treating trauma beyond minor sprains and strains, conducting physical examinations or evaluating wound care or medical procedures of any kind (elective, excisions, foreign body removal, etc.).

These facilities serve as an excellent alternative for San Antonio residents – as well as all adults – to connect with each other and improve their overall health and well-being.

Methodist is first health care system in South Texas to achieve quality award

By North SA Chamber Editor
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methodist hcs logoMethodist Healthcare has been selected to receive the Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE) from the Quality Texas Foundation, representing the highest level of quality an organization can achieve in the state of Texas. Methodist Healthcare is the first health care system in South Texas and the third organization in San Antonio to receive the TAPE award since the inception of the award in 1994.

Utilizing the same criteria and process as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Texas Award for Performance Excellence is an annual recognition of Texas organizations that have achieved performance excellence and have applied outstanding quality principles in their day-to-day operations. TAPE winners are role model organizations demonstrating exceptional performance in all areas of organizational management – leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, operations focus and results.

“This award is a validation of the hard work our employees, physicians, volunteers and board members have accomplished over the past years in Methodist Healthcare’s journey to excellence,” stated Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO, Methodist Healthcare. “Our commitment to quality and process improvement enables us to provide better service and outcomes to our patients and that is what drives us to be nothing less than excellent,” continued Wesolowski.

There are many milestones the health system has achieved in its journey; a few quality indicators the system excels in are:

  • Evidenced Based Care Measures (Composite Core Measures) are in the top 10% of the nation, for those care interventions known to improve patient mortality and complications.
  • The Methodist Healthcare in-hospital mortality is only 50% of what is expected given the severity of illness levels of System patients.  For Methodist this translates into 530 fewer patients dying each year than should be expected.
  • The Patient Safety Indicator (PSI) 90 is a composite score of several in-hospital patient complications.  Methodist Healthcare scores significantly lower (better) at 0.46 than the national average of 0.6, indicating a much lower hospital complication rate than most hospitals.

State examiners from the TAPE Baldrige-based program visited Methodist Healthcare hospitals in January to evaluate how well employees, physicians, volunteers and board members demonstrate and standardize excellence across the system. Methodist will receiveTexas Award for Performance Excellence Logo.wmz a detailed report from Quality Texas Foundation on the health system’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. Methodist staff will use the report to prepare for the national Baldrige process as part of the System’s continuing pursuit of excellence

Methodist Healthcare will receive the award at the Texas Quest for Excellence Conference on June 23, in Addison, Texas.

About TAPE

Administered by the Quality Texas Foundation, the Texas Award for Performance Excellence was established in 1993. The award is open to government, education, health care, non-profit and other businesses. These organizations go through a rigorous application process where quality and performance excellence must be demonstrated on a variety of measures including: organizational leadership; strategic planning; focus on customers; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results.

Methodist Healthcare System – Journey to Excellence

Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio (MHS) began as Methodist Hospital, chartered in 1955 by the United Methodist Church.  Since that time, MHS has grown to what is now the largest health care provider in South and Central Texas with 27 facilities, including nine acute care hospitals serving over 90,000 inpatients and 390,000 outpatients annually, expanding its vision of world class health care to San Antonio and 26 surrounding counties.

The System’s ownership structure is a 50/50 co-ownership between not-for-profit Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) and for-profit Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a truly unique business model for health systems in the country. With equal partnership control, MHS assures a dynamic balance in its mission: serving humanity to honor God by providing exceptional and cost-effective healthcare accessible to all.  Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens MHS’ community outreach through its services to the underserved and dollars to community organizations and to its own clinics; MHM has provided over $500 million to community since its inception in 1995.

Led by a culture of Methodist Excellence, the over 8,000 staff and volunteers combined with a medical staff of over 2,500, dedicate themselves to continuous quality improvement by committing to live by Methodist Excellence mission, vision and values.  Six pillars of excellence are embedded in Methodist Excellence (people, service, quality, growth, finance and community); department, hospital and system strategic goals are developed under each pillar and provide a framework for achieving sustained organizational success.

At the heart of Methodist Excellence is the System’s core competency, “building partnerships to serve our community.” This guiding principle defines the essence of MHS partnerships:  (1) community centered, (2) patient focused, and (3) physician driven.

Methodist Excellence is the foundation of all aspects of the health care system; from the hiring process to the strategic planning process.

The journey to excellence has led MHS to achieve many awards for clinical excellence and quality outcomes as well innovation and people’s choice awards. Receiving the Texas Award for Performance Excellence is a testament to Methodist Healthcare being selected as the most preferred and trusted health care system each and every year.

May 2013 Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Rollins_Brad-ChairmanOn behalf of the board of directors, thank you for your membership and involvement with the North SA Chamber. Since the beginning of the year we have welcomed more than 80 new members and refocused our energies on orienting new members and facilitating participation across the organization. In doing so, we have initiated a personalized welcome for all new members at monthly Networking Breakfasts, personal calls from Membership Committee members, an email series detailing visibility opportunities, and most recently, we have added a new staff member to help navigate new members into involvement that best matches individual focus areas. Christabel Cook is the North SA Chamber’s new Marketing & Membership Services Coordinator and she is available to help connect you to chamber resources.

Government Affairs
On May 1st, the North SA Chamber was honored to host U.S. Senator Ted Cruz for a Small Business Roundtable discussion at the chamber office. A dozen business owners had the opportunity to ask their Senator direct questions and express their concerns over topics including tax reform, government contracting availability for small businesses and health care reform – among many others. We thank Sen. Cruz for asking the North SA Chamber to host the discussion and we were pleased to provide our members the opportunity to have their voices heard before their elected official.

More recently, our Government Affairs committee gained insight on the issues of higher education funding, downtown development, health care and justice.

UTSA Director of External Affairs Albert Carrisalez reviewed the State’s changing role in higher education funding. He explained that up until the 1970s, public universities relied heavily on the legislature for funding. Today, State funds are only about 17% of UTSA’s budget. UTSA been a responsible steward and has been successful in raising private funds from the community for many of their capital building and research funding needs. The university is now seeking approximately $46M from the State to build a new science building to replace their existing 37 year-old obsolete building. The university asks for your support before the legislature to support SB 16 for revenue bonds.

We were also joined by Director of Center City Development Lori Houston. As a direct result of SA2020 vision planning, Houston’s department was created to facilitate redevelopment of our inner city and downtown core and her team is focused on creating more housing and retail opportunities. Here’s a quick synopsis of our downtown economic impact. Downtown is home to an $11B tourism industry – the city core’s anchor, 65K employees representing $2.4B in wages, and 3.4K households accommodating 18K downtown and surrounding area residents. Overall, this has a $6B economic impact on San Antonio. Additionally, Center City is working to mitigate the regulatory challenges to development in downtown, reviewing and amending the Universal Development Code annually and offering incentivized development. If your business is part of a new development or redevelopment project in downtown or the surrounding area, please seek out Center City Development to help facilitate meetings with city departments.

Finally County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson reviewed the County’s focus areas in transportation, healthcare, neighborhood revitalization, jail population reduction, resource recovery – recycling, and energy consumption reduction. Overall, approximately 62% of County revenue comes from property taxes and the County focuses 80% of their efforts on health and justice. Commissioner Adkisson explained that as property values have increased, the County has been diligent to maintain or lower tax rates. The County works with the State, Texas Workforce Commission and nearly 40 nonprofits to correct offenders re-entering society in an effort to reduce re-offenses and volume in Bexar County jail. On the heath front, Commissioner Adkisson says the University Health System is focused on clinical treatment versus emergency, reactive care. The UHS is moving to a leadership role in diabetes control to lessen the costly care that can result from lack of preventative treatment.

Upcoming Events
We’ve got a full slate of summer programs scheduled and there’s sure to be a topic to meet you interest area. Our first CSO SustainAbility Summit is Wednesday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton San Antonio – Airport. CSO Workshops, presented by the Mission Verde Alliance, precede the Summit from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

I hope you’ll join us to “Get the Bexar Facts” at the Eighth Annual State of the County Address with Judge Nelson Wolff on Friday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. Judge Wolff will present the County’s priorities and will likely announce a newsworthy initiative or two.

Additionally, the Small Business How 2 Series topic is How 2 Generate Social Media Content: Strategy, Photo, Video and Blog. The seminar is designed for small businesses just launching a social media strategy and will take place Thursday, June 6, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Hilton San Antonio – Airport.

Lastly, the Technology Council presents the Business Technology Series: Accounting Software & Your Business on Wednesday, June 12, from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at the Petroleum Club. Learn more about what considerations should be made before purchasing, upgrading or transitioning programs.

Be a part of it.
I hope you will join us at these and our other upcoming events, enroll on a committee and be a part of it all here at the North SA Chamber. Thank you for all you do to keep Bexar County strong and I hope to see you soon.