January 30, 2025
Next Week's Calendar
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February 4
Breastfeeding Class6 – 8 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Globe Room (lower level), 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
For more information or to register, visit fhn.org/ob or call 815-599-6221.
February 5
Blood Pressure Screening9 – 11 a.m.
German Valley Food Pantry, 65 State Street, German Valley
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Adult Diabetes Support Group
5 - 6 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Conference Dining Room - Lower Level; 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
Participation is free for anyone in the general public who has diabetes, and no referral or registration is required. Meetings are facilitated by FHN Diabetes Educators. For more information, call 815-599-6253.
February 6
Blood Pressure Screening11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Great River Outreach, 411 Main St, Savanna
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
February 10
Living Through Grief6 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Deaconess Room, 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
The Living Through Grief Support Group offers a confidential place for those grieving a loss within the last 2 years to talk about your thoughts and feelings. We utilize videos, books, speakers, and discussions to help participants learn about the grief process, share stories of loss, and regain hope. To register or more information, contact FHN Hospice, at 815-599-7240 or visit fhn.org/grief.
February 11
Blood Pressure Screening10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Liberty Estates, 2170 Navajo Dr, Freeport
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
February 12
Blood Pressure Screening12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 625 Country Lane, Lena
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
February 13
Blood Pressure Screening11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Salvation Army, 106 W. Exchange Street, Freeport
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Mama Milk Circle Infant Support Group
4 p.m.
Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street
Bring your baby and join area moms to share knowledge, build a support system, and gain up-to-date infant support information. This group is open to all moms and free to attend; visit fhn.org/breastfeedingtaskforce for more information.
Parkinson’s Support Group
4–5 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Conference Dining Room - Lower Level
The FHN Parkinson’s Support Group meets monthly to provide a vital space for individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease to connect, share experiences, and find comfort in community. We offer a mix of emotional support, practical advice, and education about the disease. We also share tips on coping strategies, medications, and therapies, fostering a collaborative environment. If you have any questions, please call Jackie Roach, RN, FHN Community Services Coordinator at 815-599-7437.
Welcome |
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Coming up in this week's issue of The Focus you'll find: Congratulations to December 2024's FHN PRIDE Champions! FHN to Offer February Heart Month Specials FHN Career Corner Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You! Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health Our Sympathy Classified Ads |
Congratulations to December 2024's FHN PRIDE Champions! |
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Becky Thomas, EVS - One day, when Becky was on her way to work, she came
upon an elderly man walking down the middle of the road in the dark. She
slowed down and found the man to be somewhat confused and upset. She called
911 and asked the sheriff to assist her. Upon further investigation, Becky
was able to confirm that she knew who this man was and then allowed him to
get into her car. The sheriff arrived and asked if Becky could take the man
into Stockton to the ambulance, which she did. While the sheriff followed,
Becky was able to get the man safely to the Stockton ambulance service,
where his granddaughter was waiting. She thanked Becky then, later the same
day, the man’s family called FHN ICU to find out the name of the person who
helped their family member and thank her. Becky was a little late to work
that morning, but the man was safe. "Thank you Becky, what a great example of PRIDE standards at work even in our community!" – Linn Carter< Kristen Simpson, RN in the Ambulatory Float Pool - Kristen was working in the Forreston office when a patient walked in to have her blood pressure machine looked at as she could not get her new cuff to work. Cardiology NP Steve Harweger had asked the patient to check her BP and pulse regularly, as he was adjusting her medications Kristen checked the blood pressure machine on herself and noted that it had been working properly. She then used the machine on the patient and an error message was received. Kristen did further investigation by checking the patient’s vitals manually and noted that her pulse rate was low. Kristen started asking the patient questions, checked her pulses several times, and noted the patient’s pulse rate was low. Kristen made sure the patient was feeling OK and sent a note to the NP of her findings. Kristen then called the cardiology office and reported the findings to the nursing staff. "Thank you, Kristen, for keeping the patient’s health and well-being first!" – Angie Janicke Cassie Mendez, CNA Med-Surg - Cassie’s nominator, Lindsay, explains, "Cassie provides exceptional patient-focused care on a daily basis and always goes the extra mile for her patients.” She ensures all patients have self-care tasks completed, bed linens are changed, and keeps rooms tidy. She maintains an extremely positive attitude with all patients and staff and gives 100 percent effort each day. Lindsay explains of one patient in particular, "Cassie would hold appropriate personal conversations with the patient regarding his prognosis, wishes, fears, and family. When he was actively dying, Cassie was there to hold his hand, so he was not alone." Cassie has touched the lives of many patients and staff and no doubt will continue to do so. "Thank you, Cassie, for showing all the PRIDE standards each time you are working!" – Lindsay Bader Others nominated this month include Emily Allison, Julie Edler, Kris Piper, Breaunna Lundquist, Kelsey Kruse, Andrew Brownson, Abbygale Speer, Lois Stultz, Analisa Gomez, Michael Spangler and Stacy Lehman. 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 to Offer February Heart Month Specials |
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Early diagnosis of heart disease is key, so FHN is offering two different screening tests for American Heart Month. If you have no known coronary artery disease and no prior heart issues, you can take advantage of our Heart Health Specials below. CALCIUM SCORING CT HEART SCAN uses 64-slice CT scanner technology to detect calcified plaque in arteries, an indication of potential heart issues. This non-invasive x-ray takes only a few minutes and does not require any physical activity. STANDARD TREADMILL STRESS TEST helps determine heart conditions and may be right for you if you have risk factors for heart disease such as high cholesterol, existing or borderline high blood pressure, a history of smoking, diabetes, or family history of heart disease. You must be able to walk for this test and not have a history of heart problems. Call 815-599-6860 by Friday, Feb. 28 to schedule at the special price of $134 each. Tests must be performed by Friday, May 30, 2025. For more information, visit www.fhn.org/HeartMonthSpecials.asp. |
FHN Career Corner |
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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. FHN Team MembersFriends and Family |
Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You! |
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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! |
| Have you heard the latest radio interviews? Catch up on our Radio Broadcasts page! |
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health |
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January is … February is …
Days to Note: February 4 is World Cancer Day February is Black History Month in the United States. 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 United States who freed slaves during the Civil War), and Frederick Douglass (who worked to end slavery) have birthdays in February. The purpose of this month is to recognize the contributions of Black Americans and develop a better understanding of the Black experience. February also is Black History Month in Canada. 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 (a French explorer and navigator in early 1600's) first voyage down the St. Lawrence River. Buffalo dances are performed in Hopi reserves during the Hopi Holy Cycle in February. The people of Greece celebrate Greek Education Day on January 30. It honors St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil and St. Gregory the Great for their ancient knowledge combined with Christian beliefs. January 30 is Sadeh for people of the Zoroastrian faith. Sadeh in Persian means “hundred” and refers to 100 days and nights past the end of summer in ancient Persia/Iran. It is a mid-winter festival where bonfires are lit to honor fire and to defeat the forces of darkness, frost, and cold. People gather and pray, and then hold each other’s hands, form a circle and dance around the fire. The people of Mauritius celebrate the Abolition of Slavery on February 1. The struggle for freedom of the slaves in Mauritius during the Dutch period between 1638 and 1710 is remembered and honored. February 2 is Imbolg for Wiccans. 'Imbolg' comes from an archaic Gaelic expression “in the belly,” which signaled the first stirrings of life within the womb of mother earth. Corn dolls are burned as offerings to the sun to hasten his return. In the United States and Canada, February 2 is Groundhog Day. Folklore suggests that if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. The people of northern India celebrate Basant Panchami on February 2. The festival heralds the approach of spring and yellow-colored clothes are symbolically worn. Even the food is colored yellow by using saffron. This festival honors Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Wisdom and the Creative arts. The people of Sri Lanka celebrate Independence Day on February 4. The holiday observes independence from Great Britain in 1948. The country was known as Ceylon until 1972. |
Our Sympathy |
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We extend our sympathy to ... Leslie Dunagan (MSO) on the loss of her mother. |
Classified Ads |
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The deadline to submit ads for each Focus is 10 a.m. the Thursday before publication. Please submit your classified ad information to Tammy Edler, and send your donation to the Foundation. |
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The Focus is composed of submitted content. |