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

FHN Offering Two $129 Heart Month Specials

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and early diagnosis is key in fighting the disease. FHN is celebrating American Heart Month in February with special pricing on two heart health tests.

Call 815-599-6860 by Thursday, Feb. 29 to schedule a Standard Walking Treadmill Stress Test or Calcium Scoring CT Heart Scan and pay just $129 for the test.

“The treadmill stress test is a screening test for determining a patient’s heart health when they are able to walk and have no history of cardiac disease,” said FHN Director of Imaging and Cardiac Services Katie Alvarado, MBA, RT(R)(N), CNMT. “The patient walks on a treadmill while a specially trained registered nurse monitors how his or her heart is working through an electrocardiogram. This test helps determine your exercise capacity and the circulation to the heart, which is helpful in determining the cause of unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats during exercise or existing or borderline high blood pressure.”

“Another beneficial screening test that FHN offers is a CT scan to detect plaque in the arteries,” Alvarado said. “The test is non-invasive and is used to predict the probability of future heart problems. Like the treadmill test, it doesn’t take long to complete.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 815-599-6860. Tests must be scheduled by Thursday, Feb. 29 and performed by Friday, May 31, 2024 to qualify for the special rate.

These tests do not replace consultations with your healthcare provider, and are not appropriate for persons with a history of heart trouble. If you do not have a primary healthcare provider, FHN will work with you to determine how to handle your test results when they are communicated to you. Payment for the tests is due (cash, checks and credit cards accepted) at the time of service.

FHN Part of Two FREE Heart Health Events

The educators and care professionals at FHN are celebrating American Heart Month this February, offering free information, screenings, and snacks at two community events.

• Live exercise demonstrations by YMCA staff (please bring or wear athletic attire and tennis shoes)
• Informative Sessions with FHN Heart Health professionals
• Heart-Healthy snack station
• Free blood pressure screenings

Boys & Girls Club Black History Month Community Health & Wellness Fair: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Boys & Girls Club, 511 S. Liberty avenue in Freeport.

• Free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings
• Child developmental screenings (0 – 3 years old)
• Information on food label reading and healthy eating from FHN Registered Dietitians

Both events are free and open to the public. Participants in this year’s Get Fit program can earn an extra 5 points for checking in at the FHN booth at both events.

FHN Staff Referral Program

Attention, FHN family! We’re looking for someone like you to join the FHN team!

Now through March 31, 2024, FHN is offering a staff referral bonus for staff who refer candidates who are hired into a benefit-eligible status in one of the following positions:

• Certified Nursing Assistant - $3,000
• CT Technologist (benefit-eligible and ad lib) - $5,000
• Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist - $7,500
• Echo Tech - $5,000
• Licensed Clinical Therapist - $5,000
• Licensed Practical Nurse - $5,000
• Mammography Technologist - $5,000
• Medical Assistant - $3,000
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist - $5,000
• Occupational Therapist - $7,500
• Physical Therapist - $7,500
• Registered Nurse - $7,500
• Respiratory Therapist - $5,000
• Speech Language Pathologist - $7,500
• Surgical Technologist - $7,500

If you know someone who would be an asset to our FHN team, please complete the online referral form.

Questions regarding the general Staff Referral Program? Call Carol Boeke, Talent Acquisition Specialist, at ext. 6706.

From FHN IT: Dealing with Stolen Identity

We hope and pray that your identity never gets stolen. If it does, we hope this information will help you get through it.

We recommend doing the following things, in this order:
1. Put a freeze on your credit by contacting each of the three major credit bureaus and get copies of your credit reports so you can address any issues.
    I. Visit Equifax or call 800-685-1111
   II. Visit Experian or call 888-397-3742
   III. Visit TransUnion or call 888-909-8872

2. Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

3. Change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. Change the following right away:
   I. Checking and Savings
   II. All major credit cards
   III. 401k and other Retirement accounts
   IV. Cell phone provider

4. File a report with your local law enforcement agency.

5. Obtain copies of documents used to open accounts or make fraudulent transactions.

6. Contact other companies or entities where your stolen credentials might be used.

7. If you have identity theft insurance, file a claim.

8. Sign up for credit monitoring.

9. Scan credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges.

Here are some more references to address identity theft:
IRS Identity Theft Central
US News "Things to do After Your Identity is Stolen"

Rx Renewal Available on MyFHN

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

February is …
American Heart Month
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) / Low Vision Awareness Month
International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Weeks to Note:
February 7 – 14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
February 11 – 17 is Heart Failure Awareness Week
February 11 – 17 is Sepsis Survivor Week
February 14 – 21 is National Condom Week

Days to Note:
February 9 is Toothache Day
February 14 is National Donor Day

February is Black History Month in the United States. Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of Black history, is greatly owed to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who first launched “Negro History Week” in 1926. Woodson chose February because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted the American Black population, Abraham Lincoln (president of the U.S., who freed slaves during the Civil War), and Frederick Douglass (who worked to end slavery). The purpose of the month is to recognize the contributions of Black Americans and develop a better understanding of the Black experience.

Canada also celebrates Black History Month in February. In December of 1995, the Parliament of Canada recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the first African-Canadian woman elected to Parliament, Jean Augustine. The presence of peoples of African descent in Canada dates back farther than Samuel de Champlain’s first voyage down the St. Lawrence River.

Indigenous peoples celebrate the January–February Hopi Holy Cycle in February. Buffalo dances are performed in Hopi reserves.

Today (February 8) is Boy Scout Day in the United States and Canada. William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, founded the Boy Scouts of America on Feb. 10, 1910. The purpose was to promote, through organization and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues, using the methods which are in common use by Boy Scouts.

Buddhists in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam celebrate the Chinese / Lunar New Year on February 10. This is the year of the Dragon, the year 4721 in the Chinese Lunar calendar and the most important holiday. It is a three-day holiday in China and Hong Kong. The Chinese clean and decorate their homes with the 5 lucky signs of happiness; new clothes are worn and even the poorest buy new shoes, for it is considered bad luck to step down on the ground into old shoes. The Vietnamese call it the ‘Tet’ Festival.

February 10 is Losar for Tibetans and Buddhists. The Tibetan New Year is celebrated for three days by visiting and feasting and the relaxation of the monastic discipline.

In Korea, February 10 is Seollal. The Korean New Year celebration lasts three days. During this time, many Koreans visit family, perform ancestral rites, eat traditional food, and play folk games. Additionally, children often receive money from their elders.

Christians celebrate Shrove Tuesday on February 13. This is the day before Lent. Taken from the old word shrive, it means forgiveness. Traditionally it was a time to give up meat and dairy foods.

Brazil celebrates Mardi Gras with a Carnaval Parade on February 13. It is a two-day celebration before Ash Wednesday.

In the United Kingdom, February 13 is known as Pancake Tuesday. It is the last day before Lent. Strict Christian Lenten rules prohibited the consumption of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up households’ supplies of eggs, milk, butter, and other fats. Pancake races are held in many parts of England.

Tibetans and Buddhists observe the Great Prayer Festival on February 13. Monks from the three great monasteries of Tibet assemble in Jikhang to pray to Shakyamuni’s image as if it were the Living Buddha. Philosophical debates are held among the candidates for the Doctor of Metaphysics.

Hindus celebrate Basant Panchami on February 14. It heralds the approach of spring in northern India, and yellow-colored clothes are typically worn. Even the food is colored yellow by using saffron. The festival honors Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Wisdom, and the Creative Arts.

Christians observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, on February 14. Ash symbolizes sorrow for wrongdoings and foreheads of churchgoers are marked with the shape of the cross with ashes as a sign of penitence.

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