Next Week's Calendar
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Welcome

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

Congratulations to September 2024’s FHN PRIDE Champions!

Rebecca Rath, Complex Care, was nominated by Julie Edler. Julie writes, “My patient recently enrolled with Complex Care with Becky and she has been a great help with facilitating care.” She realized a patient did not show up for his dialysis appointment at the hospital and tried to call the patient. She did not get a response and grew concerned, so she drove to his home and knocked on the door with no answer. Becky could hear the patient inside and was able to communicate with him. When looking through the window, she found him on the floor.

“She called 911 and stayed with him after the sheriff was able to get into his home while they awaited the paramedics' arrival. She made a huge impact on his care and we are grateful that she is there for the patients and the office staff as an extra tool in his care.” Thank you Becky for going the extra mile!

Ray Emmanual Dalafu, a Med-Surg nurse, was nominated by Tina Lingle. Tina describes Ray as a co-worker who exhibits all PRIDE standards when caring for his patients. There is currently a long-term care patient on med-surg and he has really connected with this patient on a deeper level. “Ray is always willing to care for this patient and this patient has developed a great rapport and trust in Ray.” Tina states she was unable to assist the patient the way Ray does with adjusting his legs and, without question, Ray came into the room despite not being assigned to him for that shift. He took immense care to adjust the patient's legs and walk him through each step to show the patient he was still in control of the way his legs were positioned.

Tina writes, “Watching Ray and the way he was with this particular patient literally brought me to tears. He was so calming with the patient and knew exactly what to do for this patient. Thank you Ray for working here at FHN and more so, thank you for being a part of our Med-Surg team. You are a wonderful asset to us!”

Abby Sadler, CMA at Burchard Hills, Pediatric department was nominated by Renee Westaby, Dr. Beaves, Kristen Simpson, and Kayla Nolen. All writers state Abby has kept the Pediatrics office afloat while staffing has been less than ideal. She is able to assist float nurses with any questions they have, obtaining paperwork and phone numbers as needed, and make floating there a positive experience.

Dr. Beaves writes, “Abby does an amazing job communicating with the kids and parents. She is one of the most efficient staff I have ever worked with!” Others write that she shows care and compassion with each interaction with the patients and their families. Abby, thank you for continuing to provide excellent care to the patients and the staff who you work with despite the ideal staffing. You exemplify PRIDE standards!

Others nominated this month include Dave Brobst, Angela Zuberbuhler, Krista Montgomery, Tracy Hamer, Jim Schrader, Crystal Winters, Danielle Wittig, Matthew Gors, Dana Zimmerman, Roxanne Hare, Junathan Delgado, Cammy Manning, Lori Robieson, Roxanne Hare, Megan Loomis, Sophia Ochoa, Susie Rednour, and Jill Toelke.

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!

Walk-Up Flu Shot Clinics Scheduled for Fall 2024

FHN is offering a full 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 trivalent vaccine that protects against 3 strains of influenza for $35. Adults 65 and over will receive a high-dose version of the vaccine ($85). 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).

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.

This year’s clinics include:
October 25 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Golden Meals, 524 W. Stephenson St. (lower level) Freeport (free blood pressure screening also available to the public)
October 25 • 3 – 5:30 p.m. at State Bank of Pearl City, 215 S. Main Street, Pearl City
October 28 • 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport
November 1 • 1 – 3 p.m. at Sullivan’s Foods, 201 Dodds Drive, Lena
November 1 • 4 – 6 p.m. at Sullivan’s Foods, 103 W. North Avenue, Stockton
November 2 • 9 a.m. – noon at Sullivan’s Foods, 217 Chicago Avenue, Savanna
November 3 • 10 a.m. – noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 229 S. First Street, Pearl City
November 5 • 9 a.m. – noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 625 Country Lane, Lena (free blood pressure screening also available to the public)
November 6 • 9 – 11:30 a.m. at Lake Summerset Office, 1202 Lake Summerset Road, Davis (free blood pressure screening also available to the public)
November 7 • 3 – 6 p.m. at Sullivan’s Foods, 2002 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport
November 8 • 9 a.m. – noon at Carroll County Senior Center, 17612 Benton Street, Mount Carroll (free blood pressure screening also available to the public)
November 11 • 1 – 3 p.m. at Sullivan’s Foods, 101 E. IL Route 64, Mount Morris
November 13 • 9 a.m. – noon at Fitness Lifestyles, 641 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport

Visit www.fhn.org/flu2024 for the most up-to-date information on flu shot clinics and drive-through flu shot clinics.

Drug Take-Back Day is Oct. 26

FHN and the Freeport Police Department are partnering with the State of Illinois and local and national law enforcement agencies to give the public a chance to help prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring pills for disposal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 to the Freeport Police Department, 320 W. Exchange Street in Freeport. (The site cannot accept liquids or needles/sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Unused prescription medications thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Dumping or flushing unused medications down the drain or toilet can contaminate the groundwater supply. The best way to dispose of old medications is to bring them to a take-back event.

For more information on National Drug Take Back Day, including safe disposal instructions, year-round sites and resources to prevent prescription medication misuse, visit www.fhn.org/sup.

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

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

Weeks to Note:
October 20 – 26 is National Healthcare Quality Week
October 20 – 26 is Respiratory Care Week
October 21 – 25 is National Health Education Week
October 21 – 27 is National Pharmacy Week
October 23 – 31 is Red Ribbon Week

Days to Note:
October 26 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 
October 29 is World Psoriasis Day

October 30 is World Hypophosphatasia Day

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.

October 24 is Shemini Atzeret for people of the Jewish faith. On the eighth day of Sukkot, special prayers for rain are offered. On October 25, they celebrate Simchat Torah or Rejoicing in the Torah. It is the beginning of the synagogue’s annual reading cycle.

Wiccans celebrate Samhain on October 31. Traditionally, animals were slaughtered for winter provisions and the spirits of those who have died in the past year are invited to a final celebration.

Canada and the United States celebrate Halloween on October 31. This tradition goes back to the Celtic people 2,000 years ago who celebrated their New Year in late autumn and honored Samhain or Lord of the Dead. They put candles on windows and lit bonfires to scare off the disembodied spirits, and wore disguises so as not to be recognized, and always carried a lantern. The Irish traditionally carved lanterns out of turnips or potatoes, but in North America they used pumpkins, which were more readily available.

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