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

Congratulations to November 2024's FHN PRIDE Champions!

Jeff Keister, Maintenance
Jeff's nominator, Kiley, actually nominated him twice in November! She writes of a situation in which there was a leak coming from the ceiling in the telemetry department. Jeff was quick to respond and able to find the leak and explain where the leak was coming from. "Jeff always makes sure to take some sort of action when it comes to taking care of any concern on the units and we greatly appreciate him for it."

She also tells of a situation in which a patient was in the ICU for close observation and the TV in the room was not emitting sound. After much trial, Jeff could not get the sound to work, so he ended up switching the TV out with one from another room so the patient could enjoy the movie. "We appreciate Jeff for taking his time to find the best solution for this patient. Thank you, Jeff, for always working hard to respond when we call!" – Kiley Haefner

Baylee Alderman, Rehab Services
Recently a patient scheduled for a rehab appointment at Burchard Hills arrived to the hospital for treatment. Baylee took time out of her day to come and give the patient the treatment they were scheduled to receive, which he otherwise would not have been able to receive that day. "Baylee frequently demonstrates PRIDE standards in her work with patients, and this is just another example of doing so without hesitation. Thank you, Baylee, for being patient-centered!" – Elizabeth Smith

Beth Martin, Cardiac Services
When a patient returned a Holter monitor, Beth noticed some concerning information the patient shared in the journal that accompanies the monitor. Beth is the one who downloads the monitor and inputs the journal entries. "Beth went above and beyond to contact our Bardy DX representative to get a STAT read on the monitor. The patient had critical findings and because of Beth’s immediate concern, his report was ready days earlier than it would have been originally. Thank you, Beth, for your quick action to care for the patient!" – Angela Zuberbuhler

Others nominated this month include Ted Barkley, Chloe Kelso, Annette Geilenfeldt, Michael Roberson, Shayna Vanderhyden, Lori Scibona, Tracy Hays, Rachel Walker, Lillie Rowan, and Penny Heckman.

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!

Lincoln-Douglas, Open Bible Earn Top Community Festival of Trees Honors

A tree from the fourth graders at Lincoln-Douglas School won first place from FHN's panel of judges and second place in People's Choice voting for this year's FHN Community Festival of Trees at the Freeport Public Library.

The class will receive $700 for its "The Best Way to Spread Holiday Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear" tree - $500 for the judges' category and $200 for People's Choice.

Open Bible Learning Center Elementary School's "Christmas Cheer for All to Hear!" took first place in the People's Choice category and third place from the panel of judges, and will receive a $650 donation. There were 816 votes in this year's People's Choice competition.

The tree from Freeport High School's National Art Honor Society, "Singing Through the Holidays," earned second place from the judges for a $300 prize.

Blackhawk Elementary's "Holiday Cheer World Tour" took third place honors in the People's Choice voting, netting a $100 prize.

The FHN Community Festival of Trees brings non-profit organizations from across the area to decorate holiday trees, with cash prizes awarded by a panel of judges and the public. The Community Festival of Trees is on display free of charge at the Freeport Public Library (100 E. Douglas Street in Freeport) through Monday, Dec. 30.

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

December is …
National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
International Sharps Injury Prevention Month

December is Universal Human Rights Month. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 as a response to the Nazi holocaust and to set a standard by which the human rights activities of all nations, rich and poor alike, are to be measured. Some of the rights are: No one shall be subjected to cruel and inhuman punishment; being entitled to a fair and public hearing by an impartial tribunal; the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects; the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; and the right to a standard of living to include food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services; the right to education; the right to participate in the cultural life of the community; not being arbitrarily deprived of their property; a speedy juried trial and the right to legal counsel.

The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which began December 25, continues through January 2, 2025. The Festival of Lights is celebrated for eight days. About 164 B.C., Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom, won victory over the Syrians. The legend goes that to rededicate the Temple, they found only one jar of holy oil and miraculously, the candelabra remained lit for 8 days. An eight-candle menorah is lit.

People of the Zoroastrian faith commemorate the Death of Prophet Zarathustra on December 26. The day marks the death of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1. A professor who wanted to encourage African-Americans to celebrate their heritage started Kwanzaa in California in 1986. Kwanzaa means “first fruit” in Swahili and is a harvest festival. Families exchange gifts and have African-style feasts. Seven-pronged candleholders are lit on each consecutive night for the seven principles: Unity; self-determination; working together; sharing; purpose; creativity; and faith.

The people of the Bahamas celebrate Junkanoo on December 26. It is a festival that combines elements of Mardi Gras, mummers’ parades, and ancient African tribal rituals.

Irish boys in wren costumes go from house to house December 26 with a captured wren, singing songs and gathering coins for Wren Day / St. Stephen’s Day. These coins help to pay for a big celebratory feast in the evening.

December 26 is Boxing Day in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It was once a day when the church’s poor boxes were opened. In Britain, it was originally a day when gifts (boxes) are given to servants and others who provide services.

Rizal Day, celebrated December 30 in the Philippines, commemorates the death of Jose Mercado Rizal in 1896, a Philippine doctor and author whose books denounced Spanish administration. He was an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.

Zoroastrians celebrate Gahambar Maidyarem from December 31 through January 4, 2025. It celebrates the creation of animals, and is a time for the equitable sharing of food.

In Japan, people usher in the new year with Omisoka on December 31. Families clean their homes and eat toshi-koshi buckwheat noodles in the hope that one’s life will be stretched out as long as the noodles. As midnight approaches, Shinto temples around the country begin ringing out the old year, sounding the temple bell 108 times, signifying the 108 human worldly desires removed by the striking of the bell.

People of the Shinto faith and the Japanese celebrate Gantan-Sai on January 1. Gantan-sai, also referred to as Shogatu, is the Shinto New Year holiday. The faithful visit shrines, often at midnight, praying for renewal of heart, health, and prosperity. During the seven-day holiday, people wear their best clothing and visit the homes of friends and family to express their wishes for the coming year.

January is …
Thyroid Awareness Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Stalking Awareness Month
Radon Awareness Month
National Blood Donor Month

The Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony held each January and February, lasts for eight days and each day is dedicated to an event such as tobacco invocation. The days vary according to community.

January is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender History Month in the United Kingdom. It was initiated by Schools OUT in Britain in February 2005. This is an opportunity for all to learn more about the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland.

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