November 9, 2023

Next Week's Calendar
of Events:


November 9

Breastfeeding Support Group
2 p.m.
Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport
Bring your baby and join other moms to share knowledge and talk about the most up-to-date breastfeeding information. Discussions will be led by lactation experts from the FHN/SCHD Breastfeeding Task Force. This group is open to all moms and free to attend; visit fhn.org/breastfeedingtaskforce.asp for more information.

Flu Shot Clinic
3 – 6 p.m.
Sullivan’s Foods, 2002 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport
Adult-only clinic is $32 (quadrivalent for adults under age 65) or $70 (high-dose for 65+) cash or check payable to FHN. No out-of-pocket expense if you are over 65 and 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 billing process). No other insurance coverage can be processed. Per government regulations, no Medicaid cards can be accepted. All clinics based on availability of vaccine.

November 10

Flu Shot Clinic with Blood Pressure Screening
9 a.m. – noon
Carroll County Senior Center, 17612 Benton Street, Mount Carroll
See details above. No cost or registration required for the blood pressure screening.

November 13

Flu Shot Clinic
1 – 3 p.m.
Sullivan’s Foods, 101 E. Illinois Route 64, Mount Morris
See above for details.

Living Through Grief
6 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Deaconess Room, 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
This group helps participants learn more about the grief process, share stories of loss, and regain hope for healing. For more information, contact FHN Hospice 815-599-7240.

November 14

Prenatal Classes for Spanish Speaking Families
5 - 8:30 p.m.
Conference Dining Room at FHN Memorial Hospital Lower Level.
Taught by OB Registered Nurse Juana Penaloza, these classes provide information about pregnancy, labor, delivery, cesarean section, and postpartum recovery. Register at fhn.org/ob under Class Registration.

Prenatal Class (Session 1)
5 – 8 p.m.
The FHN/Stephenson County Health Department series of 3 prenatal classes is offered to all regardless of their number of weeks gestation, however, they do correlate a bit with how a pregnancy progresses. Mothers-to-be and spouses/support persons are encouraged to attend these free sessions together. Session 1 is an intro to SCHD programs, comfort measures, nutrition, alcohol/drug/tobacco use, intro to the doula program and community resources. Register for all three classes online at fhn.org/ob under Class Registration or call 815-599-6221 for more information.

November 15

Caregiver Support Group
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Free group for those who provide care to a family member, friend, or member of the community. Open-forum discussion and a chance to ask questions and share resources. Visit www.fhn.org/caregivers for the secure Zoom link or contact Sean Huguenin at 815-599-6160 for more information.

FHN Diabetes Wellness Day
3 – 6 p.m.
Freeport Public Library Conference Room, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport
FREE screenings (blood glucose, blood pressure, BMI; hearing; foot screens and nail care information) and information on managing your health and well-being. Learn more about managing diabetes, healthy cooking, exercise, and more – and sign up for giveaways including fresh produce, samples, and door prizes!

November 17

Festival of Trees Ha Ha Holiday Gala
7 p.m.
Wagner House, Freeport
Get ready to laugh the night away! Just by attending, you will help provide comfort and joy to FHN's patients and their families. This year's Gala will benefit the FHN Foundation’s ongoing campaign to upgrade hospital rooms with new beds, mattresses, and furniture, providing a more comfortable environment in which to heal and recover. Tickets are $75/person - purchase yours by Nov. 10 at fhn.org/gala2023. To donate to our campaign, visit fhn.org/donate and select Hospital Fund.

November 18

Blood Pressure Screening
8:30 – 11 a.m.
Caring Neighbors Food Pantry, 119 W. Main Street, Warren
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.

November 19

Community Holiday Tree Lighting and Candlelight Walk
5 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital (Stephenson Street side)
Enjoy the community holiday tree lighting and listen to the Highland Youth Choir as we “flip the switch” to light up Freeport’s holiday tree. Canned food drive begins at 3 p.m., tree lighting is at 5 p.m. followed by a short candlelight walk to the Healing Garden at the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital for a special light display.

View all events

View past issues of the Focus

Welcome

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


Ha Ha Holiday Gala Tickets Sales End Friday, November 10
Keeping Children Safe Online
Rx Renewal Available on MyFHN
Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You!
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health
New Hires
Our Sympathy
Classified Ads

Ha Ha Holiday Gala Tickets Sales End Friday, November 10

FHN’s popular Festival of Trees Gala event is back this year in an all-new format, and tickets are available now through Friday November 10.


The Gala will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at The Wagner House, 1 E. Spring Street in Freeport.

 

The evening will include a humorous magic show from Dewayne Hill, who has been featured on “America’s Got Talent” and Comedy Central. Guests will enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, comedy-themed cocktails and luscious desserts, and Hill will mingle with – and entertain – Gala guests during the evening, as well.


A wide array of silent auction packages will be available to bid on and take home that evening for holiday gifting.


Proceeds from this year’s Gala will benefit the FHN Foundation’s ongoing campaign to upgrade patient rooms at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. Funds will help to purchase new recliners, over-the-bed tables, and end tables to provide a more comfortable environment in which to heal and recover.


No tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event – tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at fhn.org/gala2023 or by contacting the FHN Foundation office at FHN Memorial Hospital or by calling 815-599-6900 by Friday, Nov. 10.


Information about other Festival of Trees events is available at fhn.org/festivaloftrees.

Keeping Children Safe Online

The internet is a great tool but can also be a dangerous place. One of the best ways to keep your children safe while on the internet is to be involved, setting rules about online usage and checking their activity. They are children and they need guidance about what is right and wrong when it comes to the internet.


Tips for helping children stay safe on the internet:

 

• Monitor their usage and give guidance, not punishment

• Set up time slots for when they can be on the internet

• Enable parental controls

• Lead by example, put your device down when your children are talking to you


The following links are a great starting point for internet safety:

• SANS “OUCH!” newsletter - www.sans.org/newsletters/ouch/online-security-kids-23

• CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) - www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/keeping-children-safe-online

Rx Renewal Available on MyFHN

The MyFHN Patient Portal has become even more convenient!

Patients can now – in addition to calling their pharmacy – request to have their prescription renewed using the MyFHN Patient Portal. It’s easy, just click on the Medications tab, then click on the medication you need refilled, and request renewal. This will notify your provider and they will message you back once the refill has been sent in.

If you don’t already have the MyFHN Patient Portal, enroll online using one of two processes (depending on whether or not you have an email address on file with us and know your medical record number). If you need assistance, please ask the staff, call the MyFHN Coordinator at 1-815-599-6907, or email [email protected].

Register today and let your fingertips keep you on top of everything related to your healthcare! Already signed up for MyFHN? Download the app! Instructions available online.

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!

Have you heard the latest radio interviews? Catch up on our Radio Broadcasts page!

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health

November is …

American Diabetes Month

Bladder Health Month

COPD Awareness Month

Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

National Family Caregivers Month

National Healthy Skin Month

National Home Care & Hospice Month

National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Prematurity Awareness Month

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

 

Weeks to Note:

November 5 – 11 National Diabetes Education Week      

November 5 – 11 National Radiologic Technology Week

November 12 – 18 National Nurse Practitioner Week      

 

Days to Note:

November 9 is National Diabetes Heart Connection Day 

November 12 is World Pneumonia Day 

November 14 is World Diabetes Day       

 

The United States celebrates National Indigenous Month in November. Since 1900, many have sought to recognize the great influence American Natives have had on the history, cultural development, and continuing growth of the country. Various dates and weeks were acknowledged until 1976, when Congress authorized a week in October as Native American Awareness Week. Finally, in 1990, the month of November was chosen because it is traditionally a time when many American Natives gather for fall harvest festivals, world-renewal ceremonies, and pow-wows.


The October-November Iroquois Harvest Ceremony is celebrated in November. It is a day-long ceremony to give thanks to earth spirits for providing now and in the future.


The United States observes Veterans Day on November 11. It was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the termination (at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918) of World War I.


In Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, November 11 is Remembrance Day. The day honors the soldiers killed in World Wars I and II and is in remembrance for all those who have given their lives in service of their country. Canadians set this day aside in memory of those who gave their lives for freedom. Many observers wear red poppies as a symbol of the day.


Sikhs and Hindus celebrate Diwali beginning November 12. It means row of lights and is the Hindu New Year. Diwali lasts for 5 days – Day 1 is New Year for business; Day 2 is the triumph of god Vishnu over the evil demon; Day 3 is for Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, who visits homes lit by lamps. Day 4 is Bali worship day, and Day 5 is devoted to brothers and sisters.


November 12 is Mahavira Nirvana for people of the Jain faith. The day celebrates the attainment of Moksa by Lord Mahavira and is the Festival of Lamps.


For Shichi-Go-San, November 15 in Japan, prayers are offered for children’s growth. The ages of three and five for boys and three and seven for girls are celebrated. On this day, children dress up in their gala dresses and go with their parents to a Shinto shrine to pay a visit to the tutelary deity. Children are given thousand-year candy which is red and white (auspicious colors) with crane and turtle illustrations, symbols of long life.

 

New Hires

Staff Member

Department

Cynthia Byrne

Operating Room

Nichole Francke

Savanna

Ella Ingram

Telemetry

Heather Keding

Emergency Room

Helena Madujano

Sterile Processing

Samantha Spearman

Telemetry

Luann Stephenson

CBO

Kathleen Vehmeier

Highland View Dr.

Lasherrie Walker

Operating Room

Heather Wittbecker

G.I. Lab

Janea Pierson

Food Service Worker

Chris Kornfeind

POM/Facilities

 

Our Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to ...
Jim Schrader (Cath Lab) on the death of his father-in-law.
Jess Ward (OB) on the death of her father.

Classified Ads

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


CHICAGO DAY OF SHOPPING AND FUN! Only a handful of seats remain!!! $40 per person. Charter bus departs Saturday, December 2 from Pecatonica High School 8:30 a.m. and returns at 7 p.m. Drop off will be near Michigan Avenue downtown Chicago and then the day is yours to do as you choose! To reserve your seat, contact Kristin Kloepping 815-990-6373 or Tammy Wichman 815-275-7346. **Trip is not affiliated with FHN**



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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