Forrest Health

?? New on the "An Apple A Day" Blog! ?? This Thanksgiving season, we're diving into the origins of the holiday's beloved symbol of abundance—the cornucopia—and what it means to give thanks. Discover fun facts, historical insights, and a glimpse of the first Thanksgiving meal ??? https://hubs.ly/Q02YPpjt0

November marks National Home Care and Hospice Month, where we take time to recognize the outstanding care provided by professionals like Delaina Lucus, LPTA, at Forrest General Hospital Hospice. What makes Home Care so special? “Home Care is my passion! It allows me to work closely with patients in their personal space, the place they feel most comfortable and secure. Every patient is different and has different needs, which means each day is something new. Home Care allows me to help patients in their personal journey to improve mobility and safety, so they may return to the activities they enjoy!”

As part of National Home Care and Hospice Month, we honor the caregivers who bring compassion to every patient. Marlene Lowery, RN, shares her personal connection to hospice: “My mother was on hospice and that’s really where my desire to work in hospice came from. I had worked with Forrest General before and wanted to come back to work with a nonprofit. I had to take care of a friend of mine’s 14-year-old son that had cancer. I spent Easter Sunday taking care of him until he passed. It was very hard, but I was very glad I could be there for them.”

Today marks 8 years since the Asbury Hospice House doors opened. With countless employees who have been loving families since the very beginning, we have been the ‘home away from home’ for over 8,500 patients. We have served over 50,000 fresh-baked cookies for families to enjoy with their loved ones and made over 100,000 warm meals to support patients in our community. Our birthday wish this year is to have the opportunity to continue doing what we love for those in our community for many years to come! https://hubs.ly/Q02YgVtL0

Opt-in for Iris text notifications today! Iris is now using the Hello World text messaging service to give you even more control in your healthcare journey by receiving text updates about your appointments, IRIS account, and care management updates. How you can join: Opt-in via the Iris MyChart app Text JOIN to 62831 For more information, visit https://hubs.ly/Q02W00Vk0.

Congratulations Sharon Bilbo, CNA-ACT, at Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home who was selected as the September Employee of the Month. Thank you for striving to do what is best for your patients. To learn more about Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, visit https://hubs.ly/Q02Y6h5f0.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is officially here! If you are interested in Medicare benefit options for 2024, CMO Insurance, a partnership of Forrest Health and Hattiesburg Clinic, will help you determine the best options for you! The Enrollment period ends December 7. For more information, call 601-288-8119 or visit https://hubs.ly/Q02R-NFL0.

For the second year in a row, Forrest General Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Unit (SNU) has earned a “High Performing” rating from U.S. News & World Report, placing us among the top 19% of skilled nursing facilities in the nation! ?? The 30-bed unit expanded last year to better serve its 19-county service area. The unit, which provides benefits of a post-acute medical setting where patients can go after a hospital stay, offers rehabilitative services such as physical, occupational, speech, respiratory therapies, medical management and other medical services. These services provide recovery benefits to a patient before they return back to a home setting. Thank you to our dedicated staff and our incredible patients who trust us on their journey to recovery. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02Y2X0L0

November is National Home Care and Hospice Month, a time to celebrate the dedication of home care and hospice professionals who offer critical support to patients and families. Kelly Thornton, RN, is one of those professionals. Why did you choose the Home Care field to work in? “I chose a career in Home Care to make a difference in the lives of patients and families while creating rewarding relationships. Home Care also helps you become a better clinician, working independently and developing stronger skills while creating your own schedule.” What makes Home Care so special? “The one-on-one patient care is what makes Home Care so special. You not only care for patients, you build a trusting relationship. A lot of services do not have family or other relatives who visit or meet their needs and being in Home Care fills the gap when patients are lacking. It's not only a job, it's a rewarding one building personal relationships, knowing you are improving an individual's quality of life.”

Did you know that one in seven people entering a hospital need blood? ?? At Forrest General Hospital, we rely on The Blood Center as our primary blood supplier, ensuring that all donations stay right here in the Greater Hattiesburg area. In April alone, Forrest General used 1,398 blood products! This underscores the importance of community support. Your blood donation can save up to three lives, so be a hero and help us keep our community strong!