Something is wrong. You are not sure what it is, but you know you need medical care. You meet with your healthcare provider looking for answers – except, the provider needs more information. If only there was a human camera that allowed you to look inside your body so that the provider could see what’s bothering you, and then provide you with the most accurate diagnosis. Wait, there is such a device!
Digital Imaging is a modern technology that uses digital sensors instead of film to capture an image of a patient’s body. Digital Imaging offers better image resolution and quality than previous technologies, including Computed Radiography and X-Ray film. Additionally, the radiation received by the patient is less than traditional X-Ray. More importantly, when Digital Imaging is used, the image is available to view within seconds. This can often lead to an expedited diagnosis and treatment plan by the provider.
One FHN patient who received Digital Imaging at FHN shared his experience. Mark Boyd benefitted from having quality imaging services right on the premises. He shares, “My knees were giving me a lot of trouble, and I went for an orthopedic examination to see if anything could be done to help give me pain relief and improve my mobility. I was immediately sent for imaging, right there at Burchard Hills, and when I got back to speak to the surgeon, he had already looked at the images and had his diagnosis: ‘bone-on-bone – you are definitely a candidate for surgery.’
“In fact, with the other knee also causing considerable discomfort, we discussed a bi-lateral total knee replacement – surgery on both knees on the same day – and I decided to get it all done at once. We talked through the options and I met with the nurse navigator at the end of the appointment to clarify next steps,” he explains.
“I left that day feeling relieved and grateful. Initial appointment, imaging, decision-making, and plans for surgery, all done in one afternoon. No running around to different locations. No waiting days or weeks between appointments. And, it was the same thing after surgery. At my follow-up appointment they took images to check on my progress, and I knew immediately that everything was perfectly aligned and in the right place. All good!” exclaims Mark. “I really appreciated that convenience. It was a time-saver and stress-reliever.”
When Mara Haan’s son, Ellis, was having trouble breathing, she thought he might have developed allergy problems. However, his cough and congestion were not going away, and at just eight-months old, she wanted to make sure it was nothing serious.
Mara scheduled an appointment with Angie Conklin, Nurse Practitioner, at FHN Family Healthcare Center, Mount Carroll - a short drive from their home in Savanna. Concerned it could be pneumonia, the healthcare team took an X-Ray to get a better look at Ellis’ lungs. Mara says, “I had an unreliable car at the time, so I was grateful to get imaging done locally. My car may not have made it to Freeport.”
What the images ultimately found made the convenient, local imaging even more appreciated. “There it was, shining on the screen,” says Mara. A foreign object – probably a coin or button -- was lodged in the little one’s esophagus area, and a screaming baby on a car trip could have been disastrous, had the object shifted and further blocked his throat. Time was of the essence.
An ambulance ended up taking baby Ellis to Rockford for surgery. The object? A penny, which is a shiny memento of a scary experience. “Having the X-Ray done in Mount Carroll really helped us,” says Mara. “It was close to home, they found the problem fast, and then got us en route to surgery right away. We really appreciate the care we get at FHN in Mount Carroll.” Today, Ellis is a healthy second grader.
As part of our commitment to deliver healthcare excellence for our communities, FHN is looking to enhance its Digital Imaging equipment and facilities at two locations – FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills in Freeport, and FHN Family Healthcare Center – Mount Carroll, IL.
More than 6,300 patients per year utilize Digital Imaging services at FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills. These patients come from primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, and podiatry. This patient population will greatly benefit from the convenience of seeing a provider and being able to have imaging services performed at the same visit. Patients also come from Savanna and Lanark to access the imaging services at the FHN Family Healthcare Center – Mount Carroll. The ability for Dr. Reese, Dr. Woods, or Angie Conklin, Nurse Practitioner, to see a patient and refer them for imaging closer to their homes can create less disruption than driving 20+ miles to receive imaging services.
With your help, FHN’s goal is to replace the entire imaging unit at both locations. The Digital Imaging rooms at Burchard Hills and Mount Carroll will also receive a refresh. The total cost to complete these upgrades is $290,000, with the equipment at Mount Carroll roughly $80,000 with an additional $10,000 in refresh and the cost at Burchard Hills is $200,000 in total.
Procuring this new, updated Digital Imaging equipment will give patients the same level of convenience, accurate diagnosis, and confidence in their medical care that Mark and Mara appreciated.
Please consider making a generous gift toward the Digital Imaging upgrades. Whatever gift you can make toward this equipment will assist in providing better healthcare for each patient. Remember, the patient you help through your giving may be a family member, friend, a loved one – or even you!
Thank you for making a difference in the health and wellness of the people in northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin.
Yours Truly,
Al Evon
Director, FHN Foundation
P.S. Remember, you may make your gift to FHN Foundation in honor of someone who is living and has impacted your life or in memorial to remember someone special. Additionally, all gifts postmarked by December 31, 2024, are eligible to be deducted from your income taxes. Besides a gift made by check or credit card, you may also choose to send us a gift, via a distribution from your Donor Advised Fund, or a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA. If you would like to donate other appreciated assets, like stocks, please contact the FHN Foundation at (815) 599-7213.