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

FHN, HCC Offering CNA Open House Feb. 21

FHN and Highland Community College in Freeport will hold an open house for HCC's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program this month.

The event, from 2 -5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 in the Ray and Betty Stamm Health Science Nursing Wing of HCC's Natural Science and Health Center (building N), is an opportunity for interested individuals to talk with students and instructors from HCC's Nursing and Allied Health programs, as well as staff representatives from FHN.

FHN representatives will be on hand to talk to candidates about entering the field of nursing through the “gateway” of becoming a CNA, and interested candidates can register for the HCC CNA program that night.

Student Services staff will be available to help candidates with financial aid, placement testing and any paperwork necessary to get started as an HCC student. Interested students could begin classes as soon as March 11.

HCC CNA program alumna - and current FHN CNA - Sarah Salazar credits her academic achievements from Highland Nursing and Allied Health with helping her secure a job she loves at FHN. “Highland's CNA program prepared me very well for the real-world work of a CNA. The hands-on training helped me to be able to begin working confidently and to quickly become successful at FHN,” she said. “I'm already considering going back to Highland for my nursing degree and then on to complete a BSN.”

For more information about the HCC program or the open house, contact HCC Basic Nursing Assistant Coordinator and Nursing and Allied Health Instructor Cassie Mekeel, RN, at [email protected] or 815-599-3685.

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 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 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.

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

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 11 – 17 is Heart Failure Awareness Week
February 11 – 17 is Sepsis Survivor Week
February 14 – 21 is National Condom Week

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.

Canadians celebrate Louis Riel Day on February 19. He was the famous Metis leader who in 1885 led a rebellion and lost against the Canadian authorities because he feared more Metis land would be taken away by the settlers. Today, his name is a symbol for Native Independence.

New Arrivals

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