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

Congratulations to August 2024’s FHN PRIDE Champions!

Betsy Onley, Inpatient Administrative Assistant, was nominated by Tonya Newill. Tonya shared that Betsy went above expectation when a rapid response was called in ICU on a particularly busy day. Betsy checked on the ICU staff to offer help and noticed the unit was without a secretary and a CNA was training a new orientee. When the situation progressed to a Code Blue, Betsy stayed in the unit to assist with phone calls, grab resources, send faxes, and direct visitors. She did all of this while reassuring the CNA and orientee who were emotionally distraught due to the status of the patient. “Betsy compassionately took the time to reassure and talk through the steps the team was taking to stabilize the patient.” Betsy continued to assist the unit, forgoing her own lunch break. “Betsy took the time to deliver excellence that day and mentor newer staff in the process. Betsy does this for the sole purpose of supporting our patients and the inpatient team as a whole and I am grateful for her!” Her response and willingness to step in were greatly appreciated.

Brycen Williams, from IT was nominated by Chandra Seal. Chandra explains that she needed assistance with the Partners in Giving intranet page. The person Chandra worked with in the past is no longer at FHN so she knew it would require more behind-the-scenes work. Brycen responded immediately and started checking into how to get the page up. Chandra shares, “Brycen put so much care (and detail) into making sure everything flowed the way it was intended to flow. He had great ideas for wording as well. We would not be able to function without the IT department and I seriously mean that. Thank you ALL so much for everything you do!”

Melissa Dickens, from the Hospital Lab, was nominated by Melissa Steien. Melissa S. writes there was a patient who was overdue for his PT/INR and has a difficult time getting to the office. It was noticed the patient had a wound care clinic appointment the next day. Unfortunately, this patient uses Spee Dee Medical Transportation and is only allowed one stop, leaving the patient to walk across the street to the hospital. Melissa states, “I called over to the hospital lab and asked if anyone would be able to run over to the wound clinic and draw a PT/INR for the patient. I got a call back from the lab that they were going to send over their rock star, Melissa.” This office is forever grateful for her willingness to assist the patient in making a required lab draw easier. “I also want to recognize the lab staff as well, without them helping while she stepped away, this would have not been possible!” Thank you for putting the patient first!

Others nominated this month include Lyndsey Bader, Jada Veer, Penny Murley, Julie Edler, Brenda Baltierra, Mary Price, Briana Luy, Kristy Wolter, Holly Gobeli, Christie Pattat, Alyssa Saxby, Stephanie Wilken, Brittney Mordini, Jodie Bowers, Felicia Evans, Shevawn Svehla, Fay Mullins, Colene Siegmeier, and Cathy McGee.

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!

FHN Wound Center Honored for Clinical, Patient Satisfaction Achievement

The Center for Wound Healing at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport has earned RestorixHealth’s Clinical Distinction and Excellence in Patient Satisfaction Awards.

The Clinical Distinction Award presented to RestorixHealth wound center partners that demonstrate exceptional success by meeting or exceeding clinical benchmarks, and the Excellence in Patient Satisfaction Award recognizes wound centers that have demonstrated superior performance in overall patient satisfaction.

“The Center for Wound Healing at FHN Memorial Hospital is proud to be recognized for not only its dedication to healing but also its dedication to patient satisfaction,” said Administrative Director Roland Tolliver, DPM, FACFAS. “We are proud to be the recipient of these awards that recognize the hard work and dedication of our team.”

The Center for Wound Healing, located in the FHN Specialty Care – Stephenson Street clinic at 1036 W. Stephenson Street in Freeport, offers state-of-the-art wound care treatments from advanced products and dressings to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOt) to help patients dealing with chronic wounds. The Wound Center’s team of multidisciplinary specialists includes surgeons and podiatrists.

No referrals are needed for care at the Center for Wound Healing at FHN Memorial Hospital. For more information on the Center and the services available there, visit www.fhn.org or call the Center at 815-599-7410.

Winter Nurse Internship

The Winter Nurse Internship for nursing students in their final year of an associate or baccalaureate program will be returning later this year. This program is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop and expand clinical knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and task performance through exposure to various patient-care experiences. Interns will work with an experienced nurse mentor and assume shared responsibility for a patient assignment.

If you know someone who may be interested in this program or would like additional information, please contact Carol Boeke, Talent Acquisition Specialist at ext. 6706.

FHN Career Corner

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.

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
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:
September 23 – 27 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week
September 23 – 27 is Global ITP Awareness Week

Days to Note:
September 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day 
September 27 is Sport Purple for Platelets Day
September 28 is World Rabies Day
September 29 is World Heart Day

October is …
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Health Literacy Month
Healthy Lung Month
Home Eye Safety Month
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
National ADHD Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
National Physical Therapy Month
Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month

The United States celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Initiated in 1968 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week” but established in 1988 by the U.S. Congress, Hispanic Heritage Month begins on 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.

Several Indigenous tribes celebrate the September Sunrise Dance in September. This 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 elder 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.

The United States observes Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. In 1945, in an effort to assist disabled veterans, Congress designated the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In the 1970s, a historic shift in disability public policy occurred. For the first time, the exclusion of people with disabilities was viewed as discrimination. The efforts of disability activists led to significant changes in laws, such as the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1990 and the designation of a full month to recognize the potential of America’s millions of working-age people with disabilities.

Canada observes Women’s History Month in October. Established in 1992 by the Government of Canada, this special month provides an opportunity to learn more about women’s historic accomplishments and their contributions to Canadian society.

In the United Kingdom, October is Black History Month. In Britain, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987 as part of African Jubilee Year. The decision to make this an annual event each October was endorsed by the Association of London Authorities. It has since grown to recognize and embrace the contributions and traditions of other Black communities.

Canada observes Latin American Heritage Month in October. Proclaimed by the Parliament of Canada on June 21, 2018, this month is an opportunity for Canadians to recognize the valuable contributions of members of the Latin American community to the country’s social, economic, political, and cultural fabric.

The people of Mexico celebrate Fiesta San Miguel on September 28. The festival of Archangel San Miguel is in honor of the patron saint of the city of San Miguel. Cultural, social, artistic, and sporting events are held throughout the city, along with bullfights.

Several Native American Indigenous tribes celebrate San Geronimo Day on September 30. Named after St. Jerome (1829 – 1909), an Apache fighter, this day is celebrated by Native Americans in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. Among the ceremonies are the morning races, the sacred clowns, and the pole climb.

Indigenous tribes in Canada observe the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The day honors the survivors of the residential school system, their families, and their communities.

Mehragan is celebrated on October 2. The word Mehr is Persian means kindness, love, and friendship. Mehregan is celebrated by Zoroastrian and Persian (Iranian) people and was based on the concept that all of the farmers would bring their harvest to the middle of the town square and split it up evenly.

October 2 is Gandhi’s Birthday. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 – 1948), known as Father of the Nation in India, adopted “non-violence” in fighting for the country’s freedom.

New Hires

Our Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to ...
Hilary McGivney (Emergency Room) on the death of her Father-in-law.

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