FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kristen Cress
Coordinator of Member Services
937-415-3624 ext. 305
kcress@umassociation.org

 

United Methodist Related Health, Welfare Ministries
Top $2 Billion in Benevolent, Charity Services to Poor

ORLANDO -- United Methodist health and welfare ministries provide more than $2 billion annually in benevolent and charity services in the United States, a new analysis concludes.

“This is a cause for celebration,” said the Rev. Dr. Mearle L. Griffith, chief executive officer of The United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries. Dr. Griffith released the data during the association’s annual meeting in Orlando.

“Until now, no one has been certain of the true impact of church-related health and welfare ministries,” Griffith said. The association gathered information from United Methodist-related hospital and health systems, older adult facilities, and children, youth, family, mental health, and community service ministries, for the analysis.

“These services are an outreach of the church, reflecting biblical roots that go back to the time of the Good Samaritan,” Griffith said. “They show the commitment of United Methodists to serving those who are unable to pay for the cost of care. While these numbers are impressive, we know the needs are even greater.”

The nearly 400 institutions affiliated with the church in the United States serve 32.2 million persons each year. That is four-times the number of U.S. members of the denomination.

Here is a breakdown of the benevolent and charity care offered by the church-related organizations:

The nearly 400 corporate units related to the church reported having 1,555 locations and 354,507 employees in 45 states.

The United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries (UMA) is a national association of United Methodist-related, and other faith-based ministries, and professionals involved in promoting quality care in a faith-based setting.

Headquartered near Dayton, Ohio, UMA serves nearly 400 health and human service organizations and professionals nationwide. The association promotes excellence through its EAGLE accreditation program, the only faith-based accreditation program in the United States. More information is available at: www.umassociation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kristen Cress
Coordinator of Member Services
937-415-3624 ext. 305
kcress@umassociation.org

United Methodist Association Honors
Twelve at Celebration of Excellence

(Vandalia, OH) The United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries (UMA) will honor nine outstanding leaders and three exceptional organizations during UMA’s 68th National Convention. The convention will be held March 27-29, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in Orlando, FL. These honorees from continuing care retirement communities; children, youth and family service organizations; community service ministries; hospitals and health care systems, and connectional units of The United Methodist Church will be recognized during UMA’s Annual Membership Meeting & Celebration of Excellence from 5:30-8:30 P.M. on Saturday, March 29.  Recipients were nominated by their facility and selected by a committee of their peers.

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR - CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES SECTION
Rev. Nancy Hull, President and CEO, Flat Rock Homes, Flat Rock, OH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HEALTH & WELFARE  LEADERSHIP AWARD
Ms. Jane Ehrman, Health and Welfare Chairperson of the East Ohio Conference, North Canton, OH

CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR
Rev. John S. Eley, Director of Spiritual Care, Franklin United Methodist Community, Franklin, IN

HALL OF FAME IN PHILANTHROPY
Mr. David O. Beal, Oklahoma United Methodist Circle Of Care, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

ORDER OF GOOD SHEPHERDS - CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
Bethany Methodist Corporation, Chicago, IL

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
Landsun Homes, Carlsbad, NM

LOCAL CONGREGATION PARTNER
Salem Chapel UMC, LaPorte, IN

PUBLIC RELATIONS DEVELOPMENT MARKETING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Ms. Cloydia Hill Larimore, Vice President of Development, Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana, IL

TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR
Mr. James Russell Lipford, The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Macon, GA

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Mrs. Jean Bachmann, Bethany Methodist Corporation, Chicago, Illinois

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Mr. Kenneth R. Weber, President & CEO, Wesley Woods Senior Living, Inc., Atlanta, GA

OLIN E. OESCHGER MEMORIAL AWARD
Rev. Mr. James E. Tallman, Philadelphia, PA

UMA is a national network of approximately 400 healthcare and human service organizations.  UMA provides its members with education, accreditation, networking, communication and business services while keeping with the rich, historical Wesleyan traditions and practices of the United Methodist denomination.

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Photos and more information on each of the recipients mentioned above are available upon request.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 
Teresa A. Trost
Vice President and EAGLE Commission Director
Phone: 937-415-3624 Ext 304
Email: ttrost@umassociation.org

16 Organizations Earn Coveted EAGLE Accreditation
from United Methodist Association

VANDALIA, Ohio – The United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries today announced sixteen faith-related health care and human service organizations have earned EAGLE Accreditation. EAGLE is the only nationally recognized accreditation for faith-based health and welfare ministries.

UMA is a national network of almost 400 United Methodist-related hospitals and health systems; older adult ministries; children, youth and family services; community service ministries and ministries to persons with disabilities.

“Earning the EAGLE accreditation is a difficult task. These organizations show the highest level of excellence and professionalism in a faith-based, spirit-centered environment,” said Teresa A. Trost, EAGLE Commission Director.

Organizations earning the EAGLE accreditation meet the highest best practice standards of professionalism. They focus on the whole person, addressing spiritual, social, psychological and physical needs. Spiritual and pastoral care are fully integrated into the overall service programs, setting EAGLE apart from other accrediting agencies.

This accreditation is the product of a rigorous 12 to 18 month review process and is valid for five years. In its 24 years of existence, nearly 100 organizations have earned EAGLE accreditation.

The sixteen organizations were recognized for their accomplishment on Friday, March 28, 2008 at the annual EAGLE Gala at UMA’s 68th National Convention, in Orlando, Florida.

Bethany Methodist Corporation, Chicago, IL
Bethany Retirement Village, Mechanicsburg, PA
Board of Child Care, Baltimore, MD
Chaddock, Quincy, IL
Connie Maxwell Home for Children, Greenwood, SC
Cypress Glen Retirement Community, Greenville, NC
Epworth Manor, Tyrone, PA
Flat Rock Homes and Care Center, Flat Rock, OH
Kingswood Retirement Community, Kansas City, MO
Methodist Youth Services, Inc., Chicago, IL
Mississippi Methodist Senior Services, Inc., Tupelo, MS
Otterbein Homes, Inc., Lebanon, OH
Thornwell Home for Children, Clinton, SC
The United Methodist Retirement Homes, Durham, NC
Wesbury Retirement Community, Meadville, PA
Wesley Village, Macomb, IL

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For more information about UMA membership or EAGLE Accreditation contact:
Teresa A. Trost
UMA Vice President and EAGLE Commission Director
(937) 415-3624 Phone, (937) 853-0533 Fax
E-mail: ttrost@umassociation.org
or
Ronelle Hill
UMA Coordinator of Member Benefits
E-mail: rhill@umassociation.org
(937) 558-5752 Phone, (937) 222-7364 Fax