News to Use: Spring 2024
Welcome Spring! I want to pass on just a few pieces of information to keep you current on the happenings at St. Mary’s Health Clinics (SMHC).
The clinics stay busy and new community members are calling for services. You may be very aware of the number of new Minnesotans who have recently arrived from Ecuador. We are hearing from many of these newcomers as they begin their new lives here and seek health services from SMHC and/or advice about other community resources.
Surprising to us are the continuing requests that come in for outreach services, many still related to Covid vaccine needs and health screenings. Typically, in the past, outreach activities have slowed a bit after the busy fall season. That’s not been the case this year and the pace in outreach has grown at this time of year. We have been active in northern Hennepin County, again, where many new Ecuadorians reside.
The need for mental health services continues to grow as well. We have a waiting list for services with Elizabeth, our contracted partner from Raices Sagradas Counseling Services. Elizabeth sees patients each week, either virtually or in person and the patients have been very receptive to these services.
In addition to Elizabeth’s work, our St. Kate’s partners in Occupational Therapy have expanded their individual and group support providing mental health education, helpful tools, and skills to support daily living, in addition to communication and relationship skill development.
You may have heard about the mobile dental unit that we’ve piloted at our St. Matt’s clinic also. We hosted a session in November and again in January, partnering with Children’s Dental Services. These mobile units travel throughout the state dedicated to serving the needs of low income and/or disadvantaged people. While a primary focus is providing services to children, they also support adult care as well. They bring their equipment and personnel to a site and provide exams, x-rays, and cleanings for patients, at no charge to the patients. Should additional treatment be required, a treatment plan is developed and SMHC then refers a patient for follow up care to area dental services that provide low cost or free care. The dental services program began three years ago as we have worked to educate our patients and integrate oral health care to support general well- being. These services are funded in part by Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation.
We extend a huge thank you to many who have contributed to help fund our insulin needs. Several patients have applied for financial assistance with companies that provide free or low cost insulin and we are in the process of determining how best to access insulin for our patients at the lowest expense. There are various options that require different processes and agreements, and that work is still in process to explore bulk purchasing and pricing options.
We welcome a new on-call interpreter, Jay Herrera joins the on-call staff to help on occasion at various clinic locations. Jay has an extensive background in translation and interpreter services. Please see the newsletter email for more information on his personal background.
If you remember, we have been working with the Minnesota Department of Health on a grant-funded initiative aimed at enhancing services related to prevention and management of Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease. This is a four-year initiative that began in July of 2023. Leading the work of this effort is Greta Knaeble, RN, and Maria Espitia, Community Health Worker. You will be seeing Maria and Greta in the clinic more often as they work with patients and the clinical teams to provide education, prevention efforts, and support in addition to serving as a resource for the clinical teams. A summary of their roles was sent out to the clinics and is also attached on the newsletter email.
You’re invited to join us on April 4 at 1 PM in Carondelet Center for a presentation on Trauma and the implications for trauma victims. This will be presented by Elizabeth Pulido, LGSW, our partner with Raices Sagradas. It is important that you RSVP for this event, so we have a correct number of participants. This session will be held in person and will not be recorded or presented over ZOOM, it will be interactive in nature. See flyer attached on newsletter email for more information on how to RSVP.
Once again, you are invited to attend and support the Carondelet Celebration on May 3. This was previously “The Gala” and the title was changed to the Carondelet Celebration in 2019. This is a wonderful evening of fellowship, entertainment, complete silent and live auctions, and a wonderful meal. It will be held at the Viking Omni hotel in Eagan and details are attached below. https://www.csjministriesfoundation.org/celebration2024
If you’re unable to attend the Carondelet Celebration, we welcome your donation in any way as this is a major fundraiser for the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries, of which St. Mary’s Health Clinics is one. We are looking for silent and live auction items such as week-end getaways, cabin stays, gift cards for restaurants or other services, sports tickets, events, handmade items, etc. Your talent is unlimited! If you would like to contribute something for the auction or would like to learn more, please contact Sue Gehlsen at sgehlsen@stmarysclinics.org.
If you know anyone who has some free time and may be interested in volunteering at one of our clinics, please send them our way! We especially need admitting clerks and nurses right now though we are always interested in help of many kinds. Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Mary Doyle at mdoyle@stmarysclinics.org.
So, you can see that spring will keep us hopping and moving forward! Our Board of Directors is also very involved in strategic planning as we look down the road at our future. More information will follow as it evolves.