April 27, 2023
Next Week's Calendar
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April 27
Blood Pressure Screening at the Senior Expo9 a.m. – noon
Elizabeth Community Building, 111 E. Myrtle Street, Elizabeth
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Free Vein Screening (by appointment)
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital, 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
Achy, tired legs can be a symptom of venous disease. Schedule a free screening at the FHN Vein Center to see if our experts can help. Non-cosmetic treatment options are covered by most insurance carriers, including Medicaid. For an appointment, call 815-599-VEIN (8346).
FHN Striking Success IMAGINE-a-bowl!
5 p.m. check in; first ball thrown at 6 p.m.
4 Seasons Bowling Center, 1100 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport
Teams of 6 bowlers are encouraged to bring out their inner child and dress up for the evening; individuals may raise or donate the $50 entry fee. Those who raise at least $100 will receive a t-shirt, and individuals who raise $250 or more will receive a t-shirt and sweatshirt. Learn more and register at www.fhn.org/strikingsuccess. All proceeds raised will go toward room renovations, a new storage area, and equipment for the pediatric therapy area at FHN Memorial Hospital.
April 28
Blood Pressure Screening11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Golden Meals, 524 W. Stephenson Street, Lower Level, Freeport
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
May 3
Adult Diabetes Support Group5 – 6 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Conference Dining Room – Lower Level; 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
Participation is free for anyone in the general public who has diabetes, and no referral or registration is required. Topic is Protecting Your Heart. Meeting facilitated by FHN Diabetes Educators and Laura Mack, CNL. For more information, call 815-599-6253.
May 6
Blood Pressure Screening9 – 11 a.m.
Gospel Outreach Food Pantry, 211 W. Spring, Freeport
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Prenatal Class
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital, 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport - Conference Dining Room
This class provides information about pregnancy, labor, delivery, cesarean sections and postpartum recovery. Register at www.fhn.org/ob, or for more information, call 815-599-6221.
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View past issues of the Focus
Welcome |
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Coming up in this week's issue of The Focus you'll find: Freeport Memorial School of Nursing Alumni Scholarships Available Congratulations to March 2023’s FHN PRIDE Champions! Medical Laboratory Professionals Week-April 23-29, 2023 FHN Career Corner Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You! Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health Classified Ads |
Freeport Memorial School of Nursing Alumni Scholarships Available |
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The Freeport Memorial School of Nursing Alumni organization is offering scholarships to help nurses and nursing students further their education. “The idea was proposed at our annual banquet in 1990 by Phyllis Almberg,” said FHN Community Services Coordinator Jackie Roach, RN. “Three volunteers investigated the idea and in 1991 we voted to establish a scholarship program. We were proud to begin the program by awarding three scholarships in 1993,” Roach said. “Since then, we’ve awarded 83 scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 each.” The scholarships are available to help cover the cost of pursuing a career in nursing for those just starting out or for nurses pursuing advanced nursing education. Applications are available through area high school guidance counselors, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, at SSM Health Monroe Hospital and at the Highland Community College Foundation office. The organization’s selection committee determines scholarship recipients based on educational and vocational goals, extracurricular and community activities including organizational, civic, or volunteer work and honors, awards or recognition applicants have received. Applicants must be accepted in a nursing program or pursuing advanced nursing education. The deadline for applications is June 1. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the 2023 annual banquet June 10. Scholarship funds are sent to the recipients’ school in their name. For information on the scholarships or to request an application, contact Marilyn Thoren at 815-789-4707. The scholarships are funded by donations, gifts, and memorials. Those interested in contributing, please contact Cheryl Schofield at 815-541-9657. |
Congratulations to March 2023’s FHN PRIDE Champions! |
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Autumn Seidemann (Med/Surg) nominated by Tina Lingle. Autumn was nominated for being patient-centered, showing respect, dignity, and compassion, being innovative, delivering excellence, and being engaged. Tina writes that Autumn demonstrated all of FHN’s PRIDE standards while working with a patient who was being discharged. The patient was concerned because she did not have her ID with her to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy. Autumn called the pharmacy to check to see if the patient truly needed her ID at the time of prescription pick-up. After speaking with the pharmacy, it was determined that the patient would not need her ID to get her medication. Autumn then arranged for Pretzel City Transit to take her to the pharmacy, drop her off, then return to pick her up from the pharmacy and take her home. During discharge, the patient was told to follow up with the Crusader Clinic in Rockford. Social Services called the unit to let nursing staff know the patient needed an appointment scheduled at the clinic at discharge; however, the patient had already left. Autumn contacted Crusader Clinic and made an appointment for the patient for a hospital follow-up, then she contacted the patient to inform her of the date and time. Tina writes, “Autumn did a great job working with this patient and the patient was very appreciative of her!” Chelsey Heckman (Hospice) nominated by Rebecca Rath. Chelsey was nominated for being patient-centered, showing respect, dignity, and compassion, being innovative, delivering excellence, and being engaged. Rebecca recognizes Chelsey for her response to an accident. On her way to a patient’s home, she was a witness to the scene of an accident. She pulled over to assist and called 911 and checked on the occupants of the vehicles. She stayed at the scene until EMS arrived and took over. Chelsey kept her supervisor updated and made sure to let the patient and family know she was going to be a little late. Rebecca writes that Chelsey is new to the Hospice team and has been such an asset to their team. Rebecca states, “She jumps right in and makes the patients and families feel at ease. She has a calm demeanor and reassuring presence. She is very flexible and willing to go wherever she is needed.” Rebecca Chenong (Cath Lab) nominated by Jason Kornfeind. Rebecca was nominated for showing respect, dignity, and compassion, being innovative, delivering excellence, and being engaged. Jason writes that the Cath Lab has been without 2 cardiovascular technologists for several months, and that Rebecca has been able to seamlessly step in and float between the roles of Cath Lab RN and Cath Lab Technologist. While helping out in both roles, Jason writes that she has given the department fresh perspective and helped the Cath Lab update some of their processes. In addition, Rebecca has an expanded skill set to also be proficient in helping with stress tests. Jason writes, “Her experience, adaptability, and forward thinking is much appreciated and vital for our success!” Others nominated this month include Angela Zuberbuhler, Kirsta Montgomery, Regina Kelly, Penny Heckman, Erin Lamm, Grace Allison, Annette Thruman, Rachel Walker, Mary Hagen, Tina Lingle, Ken Sasman, Kaydran Heller, Barb Lloyd, Joann Olszewski, and all of the staff at Dr. Johnson’s Office. Continue Delivering Excellence: Every Patient, Every Time! Take PRIDE in what you do at FHN! Please keep your eyes open for others demonstrating our PRIDE standards and nominate them for PRIDE Champion or our Golden Globe recognition program for leaders! Be sure to include details in your nomination to ensure their excellence is portrayed as you have witnessed it. Thank you! |
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week-April 23-29, 2023 |
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From Director of Laboratory Services and Respiratory Therapy Brian J. Deck:
Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Week is the last week of April every year, a time for us to celebrate our successes and expertise. Medical Laboratory Science is a hidden profession, and we want to raise awareness of the laboratory and its many roles. The lab is a nebulous place where tubes of blood are sent and results returned. Lab technical staff are thought to be “hemolyzers” of blood or magicians who can produce results with any and all sample types regardless of the appropriateness of the sample. But we are more; we are a talented and educated group who work together to provide accurate and timely results and a remarkable patient experience. All Medical Laboratory Scientists, also called Med Techs, have a bachelor’s degree, and some hold a master’s degree. All FHN laboratory scientists are certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). Medical Laboratory Technicians have an associates degree with the same requirements for certification and re-certification. There is an opportunity to specialize in a specific laboratory department or be a generalist and work in multiple laboratory departments. Lab support roles are crucial to timely results: Our phlebotomists have all been educated in the art and science of phlebotomy and are proficient in the anatomy of the arm, proper drawing protocol, familiarity with the wide variety of blood collection tubes and the specific requirements for each as well as specific test requirements. All phlebotomists provide an exceptional customer experience. Associates who help receive specimens expertly handle around 500 specimens every day, routing them quickly to the proper department where our Clinical Laboratory Assistants assist in processing the specimens in an efficient manner to prepare samples for their testing location. Lab science professionals are an integral part of the healthcare team! The laboratory analysis guides a physician’s decisions and are necessary to make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. Though most roles in the laboratory are not patient-facing, the work is just as rewarding and impactful. We play a vital role in early disease detection and prevention. Lab professionals are the early detectors of disease, help manage medication levels, play a part in wellness and play a vital role in the management of the many patients that FHN sees routinely! |
FHN Career Corner |
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There are many career opportunities within FHN. If you or someone you know is interested in new challenges go to our Career page, displaying the latest open positions. FHN Team MembersFriends and Family |
Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You! |
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We have a lot to be proud of at FHN, from our talented, dedicated staff to the many advanced capabilities we offer our patients. We’re working hard every day to be sure we provide excellent care to our patients. Each week, look to the Focus for good news to share about FHN in the form of downloadable flyers you can print and post or hand out to patients who may be interested. Also look for links to our most recent radio interviews and past interviews to listen to and recommend to others. Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook! Please encourage patients, friends, and family to also take advantage of these FHN information resources. Thanks for your help in promoting FHN! |
| Have you heard the latest radio interviews? Catch up on our Radio Broadcasts page! |
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health |
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April is …
Weeks to Note:
April is Multicultural Communications Month. Multicultural communications may seem difficult at first – differences in languages, backgrounds, customs, and the like all seem a challenge. By learning more about our different cultures, it becomes easier to interact. This month has been dedicated to further this cause.
People of the Baha’i’ faith celebrate the Feast of Ridvan April 21 – May 2. Ridvan means paradise and the 12-day festival is the holiest time of the year. It commemorates the 12 days that Baha’u’llah spent in the Garden of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Baghdad and announced that he was the prophet whose coming had been foretold.
May is …
Weeks to Note:
Days to Note:
April is Multicultural Communications Month. Multicultural communications may seem difficult at first – differences in languages, backgrounds, customs, and the like all seem a challenge. By learning more about our different cultures, it becomes easier to interact. This month has been dedicated to further this cause.
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Classified Ads |
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Do you have something to sell? The Focus accepts classified ads. The cost of each ad is a $2 donation to Partners in Giving. The fee needs to be sent directly to the Foundation. The deadline to submit ads for each Focus is 10 a.m. the Thursday before publication. Please submit your classified ad information to Tammy Edler, and send your donation to the Foundation. |
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