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Coming up in this week's issue of The Focus you'll find:

FHN Offering Two Drive-Through Flu Shot Clinics

FHN is offering two easy, convenient drive-through seasonal flu shot clinics in October.

“If your last flu shot was before June 1, 2023, you need a new one for the coming season,” said FHN Infection Preventionist Margie Kochsmier, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CIC.

This year’s public drive-through flu shot clinics are:
Oct. 11, 3 - 6 p.m. FHN Family Healthcare Center - Burchard Hills
Oct. 14, 8 - 10:30 a.m. FHN Family Healthcare Center - Burchard Hills

At this year’s public flu shot clinics, adults under 65 years of age will get a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against four strains of influenza for $32. Persons 65 and over will receive a high-dose version of the four-strain vaccine ($70).

COVID-19 booster vaccines will NOT be available at this event.

Immunizations may be paid for by cash, credit card, or check payable to FHN. Per government regulations, no Medicaid cards can be accepted at these events. Receipts will be available to submit to individuals’ healthcare insurance provider for reimbursement.

There will be no out-of-pocket expense if you are covered by Medicare Part B (please present Medicare card) or a Medicare HMO accepted by FHN (list available at each location – covered persons MUST present the Medicare HMO card instead of the Medicare card for the billing process).

Please note that these prices are only available at these flu shot clinics; other rates may apply in FHN offices.

Children cannot receive their flu shot at any of the drive-through clinics, but FHN provider offices will have appropriate dosages for pediatric patients as well as for adults. Because of federal guidelines to prevent identity theft, everyone must present a photo ID to receive an immunization. Participants are asked to wear a shirt or top that makes their upper arm easily accessible.

Persons with allergy to eggs or the flu vaccine, those with an illness accompanied by a fever or depressed immune system should not receive the flu immunization at these locations. For more information, call FHN Community Services at 815-599-7437.

For more information on FHN’s flu shot clinics, visit fhn.org/flu2023.

FHN Flu Shot Clinics Scheduled Throughout Northwest Illinois

FHN has announced a schedule of walk-up flu shot clinics at locations throughout northwest Illinois.

All events are open to the public. Adults under 65 years of age will get a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against 4 strains of influenza for $32. Adults 65 and over will receive a high-dose version of the vaccine ($70). There is no out-of-pocket expense for those covered by Medicare Part B (please present Medicare card) or a Medicare HMO accepted by FHN (list available at each location – covered persons MUST present the Medicare HMO card instead of the Medicare card for the billing process). COVID-19 booster vaccines will NOT be available at this event.

Immunizations may be paid for by cash or check payable to FHN (no credit or debit cards will be accepted). Please note that these prices are only available at these flu shot clinics; other rates may apply in FHN offices. No other insurance coverage can be accepted at these flu shot clinics, and per government regulations, no Medicaid cards can be accepted at these locations. Because of federal guidelines to prevent identity theft, everyone must present a photo ID to receive an immunization.

For their own safety, children should be immunized at their regular healthcare provider’s office. Persons with allergy to eggs or the flu vaccine, those with an illness accompanied by a fever or depressed immune system should not receive the flu immunization at these locations. For more information, call FHN Community Services at 815-599-7437.

For more information and a schedule of FHN’s flu shot clinics, visit fhn.org/flu2023.

FHN Employee Discounts

Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You!

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!

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health

September is …

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Food Safety Education Month

Healthy Aging® Month

National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

National Cholesterol Education Month

National ITP (Platelet Disorder) Awareness Month

National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month

National Recovery Month

National Sickle Cell Month

National Yoga Awareness Month

Newborn Screening Awareness Month

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Pain Awareness Month

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Month

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Sepsis Awareness Month

Sexual Health Awareness Month

Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month

World Alzheimer’s Month

Weeks to Note:

Malnutrition Awareness Week  September 18-22
Global ITP Awareness Week  September 25-30
Falls Prevention Awareness Week  September 17-23
Fungal Disease Awareness Week  September 18-22
National Rehabilitation Awareness Week  September 18-24

World Alzheimer’s Day  September 21
World Lung Day  September 25
Mesothelioma Awareness Day September 26
National Women’s Health and Fitness Day September 27

September is National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. Initiated in 1968 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week,” it was established in 1988 by the U.S. Congress and includes the days between September 15 and October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15 because this day marks the anniversary of independence for five Hispanic countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico achieved independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Latinos from all across the nation take a moment to reflect on their history, customs, and culture, as well as the contributions their people have made to the United States.

Indigenous persons of the Apache tribe celebrate the September Sunrise Dance this month. It is an ancient rite of passage for 14-year-old girls and lasts four days. After a girl’s first menstruation, the girl is massaged and prayed for by an older female relative. Then, the girl’s family decides which ceremony will be sponsored, which medicine man to choose, and whom to ask to be her godparents and co-sponsors of the ceremony.

Wiccans celebrate Mabon on September 23. The day celebrates the fall equinox and the end of the harvest season. Apples are juiced for cider and grapes for wine.

September 23 is the Shinto celebration of Shuki sorei sai in Japan. On this autumnal equinox day, the Japanese honor family ancestry, visiting ancestral graves and having family reunions.

In Mexico, September 23 is the Chichen Itza Festival. During the autumn equinox, thousands gather at the Mayan temple of Kukulkan to see the interplay of sun and shadow as it forms the impression of a long-tailed serpent leading downward to the stone head of the serpent KuKulkan.

Our Lady of Las Mercedes is celebrated September 24. Celebrations are held in Carhuaz, Peru in honor of the virgin, with traditional processions, bands of musicians, bullfights, and fireworks. In the Dominican Republic, a procession is held at the site of the 16th century shrine of Our Lady of Las Mercedes, where Columbus fought a battle against the Indians and the Virgin Mary appeared to him.

The people of South Africa celebrate Heritage Day on September 24. The holiday celebrates cultural diversity and serves as a time for South Africans of various heritages to strengthen their bonds.

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is September 25. The Day of Atonement is the holiest and most solemn of all the days in the Jewish year. They believe that once you atone for your mistakes, you can be “at one” with God. People of the Jewish faith do not work on this day, and they fast from sunset to sunset.

New Arrivals

Our Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to ...
Amanda Bons (HIMS) on the death of her grandmother.

Classified Ads

Classic 1983 Olds Toronado Brougham – opera lights, original wire hub caps, tinted power moonroof. No rust, garage kept, 124,000 miles. Asking $5,000. Call 815-291-2911 and leave message.

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