The Latest News
FHN Foundation 'Rolling Through the Decades' for Pediatric Therapy
March 21, 2024 –
The FHN Foundation's popular Striking Success bowling event is back, this year with a little bit of nostalgia thrown in, to help improve the Pediatric Therapy room and equipment at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport!
The event will begin with check-in at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25 at 4 Seasons Bowling Center, 1100 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport. (Bowling will begin at 6 p.m.) Bowlers must register in advance at the link below, and can opt to fund-raise to cover entry fees and win prizes.
Teams of up to 6 bowlers are invited to participate. Each person on the team will need to raise or donate at least $50 as an entry fee. Participants can download a donation sheet to raise funds for the event on the registration page, www.fhn.org/strikingsuccess.
“This year we're Rolling Through the Decades, so dress in your team's chosen era: Roaring '20s; Rockin' '50s; '60's Counter Culture, and more,” said FHN Foundation Director Al Evon. “We're hoping people will have fun with it!”
Individuals who raise $100 or more will receive a free t-shirt, and those who raise $250 or more will receive both a t-shirt and sweatshirt. Interested persons should drop off their completed donation sheets to the FHN Foundation office (near the hospital's Stephenson Street entrance) by April 10 in order to receive their shirt(s) the night of the event.
All proceeds raised will support the pediatric therapy room renovations, new storage area, and equipment at FHN Memorial Hospital.
To register, download a pledge form, make a donation, or for more information, visit www.fhn.org/strikingsuccess or contact the FHN Foundation at 815-599-6900 or cseal@fhn.org.
Rosecrance, FHN partner in Northwest Illinois
March 20, 2024 –
Rosecrance Behavioral Health and FHN are pleased to announce a partnership to enhance behavioral health services to serve northwest Illinois.
The partnership between FHN and Rosecrance Behavioral Health in Freeport ensures continuity in high-quality behavioral health services for the region. Under this partnership, the behavioral health services offered at FHN Family Counseling Center, 421 West Exchange Street, have been transferred to Rosecrance Behavioral Health in Freeport, 1631 S. Galena Ave. This move streamlines the delivery of behavioral health services to clients within the community, while continuing to provide comprehensive care that recognizes the unique needs of each patient.
FHN and Rosecrance will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of services that will not disrupt existing FHN patients' care. The transition of care will also include case management and peer support services through a community-based care team to ensure clients receive the best possible treatment.
“Rosecrance and FHN have enjoyed a healthy partnership in northwest Illinois for many years, and we look forward to expanding services to meet the community's needs. The smooth and efficient transition of care will be executed with utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that the clients receive uninterrupted and exceptional care throughout the process,” said Rosecrance Behavioral Health CEO Dave Gomel.
Behavioral health services transferred to Rosecrance include:
o Psychiatry
o Individual, group, and family psychotherapy
o FHN Crisis services will transfer to Rosecrance's existing crisis care model, which includes mobile crisis response (MCR) and 988 response
o School-based programs
“Through the transition of behavioral health services to Rosecrance in Freeport, the community members of northwest Illinois will benefit from expanded services across the region,” said FHN President and CEO Mark Gridley. "The new structure reflects our strategy to continually search for improvement opportunities, sustainable arrangements, and high-quality partnerships for select services that will benefit the health of the families we are privileged to serve while strengthening our vision of healthcare excellence for our communities."
FHN and Rosecrance will continue working collaboratively to meet the region's behavioral healthcare needs, including this new structure intended to preserve and enhance the specialized services provided in northwest Illinois for mental health and substance use disorders.
Current FHN clients with questions about their services may call 815-599-7300.
FHN Celebrating Doctors Throughout March
March 5, 2024 –
FHN is proud to celebrate our healthcare providers throughout March, the month of Doctors' Day.
March 30 is National Doctors' Day, a chance to acknowledge all that physicians do for their communities. On March 30, 1842, in Jefferson, Georgia, Dr. Crawford Long used ether to anesthetize a patient, James Venable, and painlessly excised a tumor from his neck.
All month, FHN is offering the chance to send a message to your healthcare provider - just visit www.fhn.org/doctorsday. Messages will be shared with providers and may be featured online (with personal information removed).
FHN Offering Free Movement & Balance Workshop in March
March 5, 2024 –
The inner ear plays an important part in balance. Learn more about this complex relationship and how to improve one's overall quality of movement in a free FHN workshop.
FHN Audiologist Anneliese Hartman, AuD, and Physical Therapist Baylee Alderman, PT, DPT will present FHN's Movement and Balance Workshop from 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, March 22 in the multi-purpose room at the Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois, 2998 W. Pearl City Road in Freeport.
Hartman and Alderman will address the fundamentals of balance and mobility for those who live with dizziness; fall prevention and rising from the floor safely; and incorporating balance into daily life in this active workshop. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing in which they can move.
Registration for this free event is required, as space is limited. Learn more about the event and register at www.fhn.org/balance or by calling 1-877-600-0346, ext. 901.
FHN Part of Two FREE Heart Health Events in February
February 12, 2024 –
The educators and care professionals at FHN are celebrating American Heart Month this February, offering free information, screenings, and healthy snacks at two community events.
Celebrate Your Heart: 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois (2998 Pearl City Road, Freeport, on the Highland Community College campus). FHN and the YMCA are offering free heart health and wellness tips, heart-healthy snacks, exercise, and more.
• Live exercise demonstrations led by YMCA staff (please bring or wear athletic attire and tennis shoes if you plan to participate)
• Informative sessions with FHN Heart Health professionals
• Free blood pressure screenings
• Heart-Healthy snack station
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 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.
For more information on these events and FHN's cardiac capabilities, visit www.fhn.org.
FHN, HCC Offering CNA Open House Feb. 21
February 7, 2024 –
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 cassie.mekeel@highland.edu or 815-599-3685.
FHN Offering Two $129 Heart Month Specials
February 5, 2024 –
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.
