The Latest News

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

December 18, 2024 – 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.

Freeport Community Luminaria Night is Dec. 22

December 16, 2024 – FHN is proud to again be part of the Freeport Community Luminaria Night, a chance to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Residents along Freeport's Stephenson Street and Lincoln Boulevard �“ including FHN Memorial Hospital and the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital - will light luminaria at dusk Sunday, Dec. 22, the last Sunday before Christmas. Visitors are encouraged to walk or drive along the streets to enjoy the view.

This event is free and open to the public.

Catch ‘Holiday Affair' on the Big Screen This Holiday Season

December 4, 2024 – FHN and Classic Cinemas Lindo Theatre are proud to team up again this year to share a Holiday Classic Movie for area families to enjoy.

Two special showings of the 1949 hit Holiday Affair will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Classic Cinemas Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago in Freeport.

Admission is a free-will offering and/or a food donation (there will be barrels available for food contributions, and monetary contributions also will go to the food drive). Donations will be distributed among area food pantries.

Starring Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey, Holiday Affair tells the story of a young widow who is torn between a boring attorney and a romantic ne'er-do-well.

Designed to offer movie-goers the experience of viewing time-honored American film classics on the big screen, the Classic Movie Series is hosted by Alan Wenzel and Ed Finch, who share fun facts and lead a discussion about the movie at both showings.

For more information on this or any FHN Festival of Trees event, fhn.org/festivaloftrees.

FHN OB Team Presents PBA-OB Program at National Perinatal Event

December 3, 2024 – FHN's Perinatal Healthcare team is sharing the impact of its Post-Birth Alert Orange Bracelet Program (PBA-OB) with the nation's perinatal care leaders. The leadership team recently presented at the Synova Perinatal Leadership Forum in Florida, a premier event for perinatal care leaders, highlighting the program's innovative approach to reducing maternal mortality and improving postpartum care.

The FHN Post-Birth Alert Orange Bracelet Program, one of the first of its kind in the nation, is focused on giving every new mother an orange bracelet to wear as an alert to potential medical complications. Alert bands are worn six to twelve weeks after delivery of their baby. The patient and her support person also receive focused education, utilizing the AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) Post-Birth Warning Signs guidelines, linking the importance of the Post-Birth Alert orange band and recognizing when to seek immediate care.

Women in the first six to twelve weeks after giving birth face heightened risks of life-threatening complications, including hypertensive disorders, venous thromboembolism (blood clots), sepsis, cardiomyopathy, perinatal depression, and substance use disorder. Recognizing these dangers, FHN developed the Post-Birth Alert Orange Bracelet Program, which includes all education, to empower EMS personnel and families to act quickly in emergencies and identify the orange post-birth alert band.

“The program is designed to improve the survival rate for postpartum women by training EMS personnel to recognize and respond to obstetrical emergencies quickly,” said Danielle Wittig, BSN, RNC-ONQS, Perinatal Quality Nurse at FHN Memorial Hospital. "In partnership with EMS and providers, we aim to reduce maternal complications and death by enhancing recognition and treatment protocols for postpartum complications.”

Region 1 EMS covers Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle, Lee and Dekalb counties. As a provider of curriculum and ongoing education, FHN created Post-Birth Alert education materials that are now an integral part of Region 1 EMS's on-boarding and annual competency training, ensuring that emergency personnel are equipped to identify and respond effectively to postpartum complications.

“If a woman has a medical emergency and isn't able to communicate, the bracelet will alert providers and emergency personnel of her postpartum status,” said FHN OB Service Line Perinatal Educator Keri Schubert, BSN, RNC-MNN, C-EFM. “That fast identification can be crucial in saving that woman's life.”

Linn Carter, MSN, APN, NEA-BC, Director of Women's Health Services, has already seen the orange bracelet identification in action. “Within ten weeks of implementing our program, our first post-partum mom, experiencing severe high blood pressures was identified and treated within twenty-two minutes of arrival to the emergency department due to being identified by the orange bracelet.”

The FHN Post-Birth Alert Orange Bracelet Program team has information available on postpartum risks, as well as program materials for EMS and medical professionals. Visit fhn.org/PBA-OB for more information.

FHN, Freeport Public Library Team Up for Holiday Family Fun

November 20, 2024 – FHN's Community Festival of Trees is on display at Freeport Public Library Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, and FHN and the library have some free fun in store for visiting families. FHN Frosty Family Fun Night is 5:30 - 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at the library, 100 E. Douglas Street in Freeport. Families are invited for an evening including slime-making, bingo playing, and holiday treats. Grown-ups who bring kids to this event can also enter to win a $50 or $100 gift card. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the library twice this year for Holiday Storytelling at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 and again at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Listen to a holiday story or two in Santa's visiting area. FHN is again collecting Letters to Santa from area youngsters. Forms are available at the library and FHN's Freeport locations or online at fhn.org/festivaloftrees.

FHN Community Festival of Trees Begins Nov. 25

November 19, 2024 – The public is invited to take some time this holiday season to view the FHN Community Festival of Trees entrants at the Freeport Public Library, and vote for People's Choice favorite through Saturday, Dec. 14.

The FHN Community Festival of Trees brings organizations from across the area to decorate holiday trees, with cash prizes awarded by a panel of judges and the public. This year's FHN Festival of Trees theme is from the 2003 movie Elf: "The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"

The Community Festival of Trees is on display free at the Freeport Public Library from Monday, Nov. 25 through Monday, Dec. 30. The Freeport Public Library is located at 100 E. Douglas Street in Freeport.

The public is encouraged to vote for the People's Choice Award winner through Saturday, Dec. 14. The top vote-getter for People's Choice will take home $500. The second-place award for People's Choice is $200 and the third-place People's Choice award is $100. Ballots are available at the library and votes will be taken through the end of the library's operating hours (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The formal panel of judges will award three prizes, as well: First prize is $500, second prize is $300 and third prize is $150.

For more information on the Community Festival of Trees or any of the FHN Festival of Trees events, visit www.fhn.org/festivaloftrees.

FHN Offering Free Diabetes Wellness Day Nov. 21

November 13, 2024 – Millions of Americans considered at risk of developing diabetes could prevent or delay the disease by changing their lifestyle. FHN is offering a free workshop to educate the public about those healthy choices.

The FHN Diabetes Wellness Day will be held 2 - 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Freeport Public Library (conference room), 100 E. Douglas Street in Freeport. No registration is required, and the event is free and open to the public.

The event will include healthy eating and exercise tips, information from FHN's diabetes educators, podiatry and cardiology teams, stroke and sepsis teams, and the Center for Wound Healing at FHN Memorial Hospital. A variety of other services will present information, as well.

Free non-fasting glucose, blood pressure and BMI screens will be available, and a representative from FHN Audiology will offer free hearing screenings. FHN and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau will offer free fresh produce to attendees while supplies last.

Flu shots also will be available for adults �“ visit www.fhn.org/flu2024 for more information and pricing.

FHN Community Holiday Tree Lighting is Nov. 17

November 4, 2024 – Join FHN Sunday, Nov. 17 to kick off the holiday season with festive music and fun.

We'll gather 'round the big tree in front of FHN Memorial Hospital, 1045 W. Stephenson Street in Freeport at 5 p.m. for a performance by the Highland Youth Choir and a holiday message from FHN President and CEO Mark Gridley.

Children can visit with Santa, and after the tree is lit, all are welcome to join in a candlelight walk to the Healing Garden of the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital for cookies and hot chocolate and a special light display.

No registration is necessary for this free event.

For more information on FHN's Festival of Trees events, visit www.fhn.org/festivaloftrees.

Surviving the Holidays Grief Workshop is Nov. 11

October 28, 2024 – The holiday season can be especially difficult for those mourning a loss. FHN is offering a free workshop to help.

"It's OK to feel joy and sorrow at the same time," said FHN Spiritual Care Coordinator Sean Huguenin. "This workshop is designed to help and support those who have suffered a loss as they navigate the holidays."

Reservations are open for the workshop, which will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at FHN Memorial Hospital, 1045 W. Stephenson Street in Freeport.

The workshop will offer:
• Practical tips for managing grief during the holidays
• Reflexive exercises to honor lost loved ones
• Take-home tools to help manage grief during the holiday season
• Connection with others going through the same thing

The event is free, but reservations are requested. Visit www.fhn.org/griefworkshop or call Sean Huguenin at 815-599-6160 to register.

Free Pre-Diabetes Program 'Small Steps. Big Rewards.' is Nov. 5

October 24, 2024 – Diabetes is a serious disease with complications that can include disability and even death. Millions of Americans considered at risk of developing diabetes could prevent or delay the disease by changing their lifestyle.

Learn how you could prevent or delay some types of diabetes at Small Steps. Big Rewards., a free diabetes education program presented by FHN. This workshop focusing on the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the lower level conference room at the FHN Family Healthcare Center - Burchard Hills, 1010 W. Fairway Drive in Freeport.

Free non-fasting glucose screenings will be available before the program (5-5:30 p.m.) for attendees.

Registration is required for this program, and seating is limited. Register online at www.fhn.org/smallsteps.

Enjoy 'All That Jazz' at 2024 Festival of Trees Gala

October 24, 2024 – FHN's popular Festival of Trees Gala event is back this year and tickets are available now.

The "All That Jazz" Gala will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at the Masonic Temple Ballroom, 305 W. Stephenson in Freeport. Tickets are $75, (multi-ticket discounts are available) and are available at www.fhn.org/gala2024.

This year's Gala will feature the announcement of the FHN Physician of the Year Award and the FHN Advanced Practice Professional of the Year Award, and popular area jazz group The Groove Hotel will provide music to dine by and groove to.

Guests will enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres, custom cocktails and luscious desserts, and a wide array of silent auction packages will be available to bid on and take home that evening for holiday gifting.

Proceeds from this year's Gala will benefit the FHN Foundation's campaign to raise funds for a new linear accelerator that will enhance capabilities at the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.

No tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event - tickets can be purchased online at www.fhn.org/gala2024 or by contacting the FHN Foundation office at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport (1045 W. Stephenson Street) or by calling 815-599-6900 by Friday, Nov. 8.

More information about the Gala is available at www.fhn.org/gala2024.

FHN Sports Physicals Return $1,000 to Orangeville High School FHN Sports Physicals Return $1,000 to Orangeville High School

October 24, 2024 – FHN's series of sports physical clinics, held throughout the spring and summer, helped save time and hassle for many area parents, and raised more than $16,000 for area schools. All proceeds from the $25 physicals are donated back to the schools by FHN. 40 students got their sports physicals at a clinic held at Orangeville High School, returning $1,000 to the school. A total of 14 sports physical clinics were held at FHN offices across northwest Illinois this summer, providing 661 physicals and raising $16,525 to donate back to 11 area schools.

FHN Announces Finalists for Provider of the Year Awards

October 16, 2024 – FHN is proud to announce the finalists for this year's FHN Physician of the Year and the FHN Advanced Practice Professional of the Year awards.

These finalists were chosen from nominations submitted by patients, families, caregivers, and FHN team members throughout northwest Illinois.

The FHN Physician of the Year and the FHN Advanced Practice Professional of the Year will be announced at the FHN Festival of Trees Gala on Friday, Nov. 15.

The FHN Physician of the Year finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
• Family Medicine Physician Brian Bennett, MD, who sees patients at the FHN Family Healthcare Center - Highland View Drive in Freeport
• Nephrologist Farhan Khan, MD, who sees patients at FHN Specialty Care - Stephenson Street and FHN Memorial Hospital, both in Freeport
• Family Medicine Physician Rebecca Pedersen MD, CPE, FAAFP, who sees patients at the FHN Family Healthcare Center - Highland View Drive in Freeport

The FHN Advanced Practice Professional of the Year finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
• Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Tamisha Bonvillain FNP-BC, IBCLC, who sees patients at the FHN Family Healthcare Center - Burchard Hills in Freeport
• Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Tiffany Kuhlmeyer FNP-BC, who sees patients at the FHN Family Healthcare Center - Highland View Drive in Freeport
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Danielle Siedschlag WHNP-BC, who sees patients at the FHN Family Healthcare Center - Burchard Hills in Freeport

Information packets have been compiled for each of the nominees and the Provider Development Committee of the FHN Board of Trustees will meet to make the decision as to who wins each award. Learn more about each provider - and see some of their nominations - at www.fhn.org.

The public is invited to the award presentation at the 2024 FHN Festival of Trees Gala - All That Jazz. This year's Gala will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at the Masonic Temple Ballroom, 305 W. Stephenson Street in Freeport.

Tickets are available online at www.fhn.org/gala2024 or at the FHN Foundation office through Friday, Nov. 8. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Drug Take-Back Day is Oct. 26

October 10, 2024 – 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 Sports Physicals Return $1,850 to Pecatonica High School

October 10, 2024 – FHN's series of sports physical clinics, held throughout the spring and summer, helped save time and hassle for many area parents, and raised more than $16,000 for area schools. All proceeds from the $25 physicals are donated back to the schools by FHN.

74 students got their sports physicals at two clinics held at Pecatonica High School, returning $1,850 to the school.

A total of 14 sports physical clinics were held at FHN offices across northwest Illinois this summer, providing 661 physicals and raising $16,525 to donate back to 11 area schools.