Methodist Healthcare Ministries
sponsors healthcare symposium


By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas is sponsoring an educational health symposium next month
for healthcare professionals.
The two-day event is scheduled for March 8-9 at the Omni Hotel in downtown San Antonio. Registration
and breakfast begin at 7 a.m. each day.
The symposium, part of the Wesley Nurse program, is designed to:
> Educate healthcare workers about current and future trends in health ministry.
> Promote excellence in profession.
> Inform healthcare ministry providers about their impact on multicultural communities.
> Inspire and refresh providers through networking and fellowship.
“This event gives a lot of information for anybody involved in health ministry,” said Jennie Garcia, staff development coordinator for the Wesley nurses who oversee the symposium. “We have lots of different topics that will be discussed for their education.
“And it also provides a network and a fellowship opportunity.”
People who attend both days could earn nine continuing education credits at the symposium, Garcia said. The event meets the criteria for mandatory continuing education established by the Board of Nurse Examiners for Texas.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Rick Brinkman, is to discuss ways to bring out the best in other people—a relevant topic in today’s health circles, Garcia said.
Other topics include dealing with grief and loss, faith and fitness, domestic violence in the congregation, dealing with dementia and many others, she added.
Speakers for the event include:
> The Rev. Deborah L. Patterson, executive director of the Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries/International Parish Nurse Resource Center.
> The Rev. Gina Gilland, adjunct faculty member at the Edwin Friedman Center for Family Process in Maryland and at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington.
> Bettina J. Richardson, executive director of the Bexar County Family Justice Center.
Cost for the symposium is $215 for both days, $149 for Thursday and $75 for Friday.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries is affiliated with the Southwest Texas Conference and committed to improving physical health and spiritual well-being of those least served in South Texas.