SEPTEMBER IS NICU AWARENESS MONTH

During September, Forrest General will observe Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month to honor families experiencing a stay in the NICU and the health professionals who care for them.
The FGH NICU, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is one of only a few in the nation to offer “family-centered care,” which means that parents can stay with their child at all times during their NICU stay. Each NICU bed is also equipped with a webcam so parents can stay connected with their newborns. The secure service is free to NICU families and provides a way for loved ones who are too small or too far away to see your newest little addition.
SPIRIT GIRLS AUGUST RECAP






CANCER CENTER VOLUNTEER HONORS WIFE'S MEMORY

If you would like to serve as a volunteer at the Forrest General Cancer Center, contact Vicky Buxton, director of Volunteer & Guest Services, 601-288-4214, or visit www.forresthealth.org
These days, you will find Joey Hagenson of Purvis donating his time as a volunteer at the Forrest General Cancer Center, welcoming patients and their family members at the front doors, or assisting patients back to see their doctor. No matter what he’s doing, it’s all in the name of love.
Joey has a personality that precedes him. Extremely friendly, vivacious, energetic, uplifting, and kind, he knows what it’s like to be in the shoes of the patients and their family members waiting for their loved one’s name to be called. Volunteering at the Cancer Center was something he and his late wife, Dina, had talked about doing together when she got better. But for Dina, that day never came. She passed away in May of this year after a valiant fight with her own cancer, a glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer.
“The last two-and-a-half years, I lived here at the Cancer Center. This is a very special place. We made connections here and became a big family. Dina loved them all. That’s the reason I’m sitting in this chair. I’m going to honor her memory and for the folks who helped and were so good to us. I’m going to follow through with our plan to volunteer.”
NEW TO MIDTOWN

The Forrest Health Institute of Neuroscience has opened its doors in Midtown Hattiesburg with a second location at 2807 Arlington Loop. This new outpatient clinic joins the West Hattiesburg facility, located at 7123 U.S. Hwy. 98, which opened in January.
Forrest Health is excited to offer these facilities to Pine Belt patients and those across the state and southern region. The Institute of Neuroscience has the ability to better serve patients with complex spinal disorders, nervous system disorders which include the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous systems, and a spine clinic. Both locations allow patients to receive local, expert care. The Institute of Neuroscience offers advanced technologies, including state-of-the-art cranial and spinal navigation, and treatments for brain tumors and spinal disorders.
Patients will enjoy a comfortable and modern outpatient clinic setting focused on personalized care with accessibility and convenience. The Midtown location features exam rooms, treatment rooms, and is conveniently located with plenty of parking. With these new facilities, Forrest Health continues to strive to meet its mission to do what is best for the patient. For more information or to make an appointment, call 601-288-FHIN (3446) or visit www.FHIN.org.
CMO INSURANCE EVENT

Are you new to Medicare, turning 65, or just need help deciphering what everything Medicare-related means? Understanding Medicare benefits can be difficult and confusing. That’s where the Care Management Organization (CMO) Insurance Agency comes in.
CMO, a division of Forrest General Hospital and Hattiesburg Clinic, offers a variety of Medicare and individual health insurance plans based on a customer’s needs. Their goal is to inform customers about the best options, in order to help them find the plan that suits their individual needs.
CMO is sponsoring the Second Annual Medicare Health Fair on Friday, September 22, at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. There are two sessions to choose from – 10 a.m. until Noon or 1 until 3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Vendors will be present with giveaways and door prizes.
Topics include Medicare 101, Medicare Benefit Options, Best Practices, Medicare Part D Rx Drug Plans. Licensed agents will explain benefits and how you can get the most for your money.
This is an educational event. To sign up for one of the meetings or if you have questions, need more information, or for accommodations for persons with special needs, call 601-288-8119.
BRAIN FACTS

With school back in session, it’s time to get the brain juices back in full-speed ahead mode. Did you know that your brain is actually three pounds of remarkable matter? Made up of billions of neurons (or nerve cells) that communicate in trillions of connections called synapses, your brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in your body. Keeping your brain healthy and active is vital. Discover just how powerful it is with these interesting facts.
- The brain itself is made up of approximately 85% water. Water gives the brain energy to function including thought and memory processes. Water is also needed for the production of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. Water plays a big role in brain health and computing power.
- Your brain isn’t fully formed until age 25.Brain development begins from the back of the brain and works its way to the front. Therefore, your frontal lobes, which control planning and reasoning, are the last to strengthen and structure connections.
- Brain information travels up to an impressive 268 miles per hour.When a neuron is stimulated, it generates an electrical impulse that travels from cell to cell.
- It’s a myth that you only use 10 percent of your brain. You actually use all of it. (Yes, even when you are sleeping.) Neurologists confirm that your brain is always active.
- The human brain can generate about 23 watts of power(enough to power a lightbulb). All that power calls for some much-needed rest. Adequate sleep helps maintain the pathways in your brain. Additionally, sleep deprivation can increase the build-up of a protein in your brain that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Each one of us has around 70,000 thoughts per day, although many of them are repeated or forgotten when we get up to go do something!
- The human brain is the only object of any kind that can contemplate itself.
- The brain only feels pleasure and there are no pain receptors in the brain.
- Dredging up memories isn’t exactly like pulling a file from a folder. Your brain has to recreate and reimagine that memory. And it’s not a perfect copy of the original.
- Science has indicated that learning is most effective between 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm, when the brain is in an acquisition mode. On the other hand, the least effective learning time is between 4 am and 7 am.
SPINNING BABIES WORKSHOP

MINDSET MONDAYS

Having a positive and optimistic attitude towards life can set the tone for a beautiful day. When we focus on gratitude, kindness, and joy, we are more likely to attract positivity and happiness into our lives.
We know Mondays can bring with them stress and chaos! Whether it’s recuperating from the weekend or coming back to the list of tasks you left on your desk the Friday before, a bad Monday can ruin your entire week. Don’t let that happen! Every Monday our Spirit of Women Facebook page shares an uplifting quote to help get you in the right mindset to start your week.
Our thoughts are incredibly powerful! Not only can positive thinking brighten your day, it can also improve your health. Having a positive outlook makes you more stress resistant, improves your heart and cardiovascular system, wards off depression, strengthens your immune system, and lengthens your life span.
Check out our Mindset Monday posts, and let’s start our weeks with the right mindset!
BECOME A CANCER CENTER VOLUNTEER

Become a Forrest General Hospital Cancer Center volunteer and join our team to provide empathetic and exceptional CARE to cancer patients and their families. As a volunteer, you can truly make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.
Visit the link below to complete an application today! https://hubs.ly/Q01_lRRM0
Reward Partner Events
MEMORY SCREENINGS

Hattiesburg Clinic Memory Center will be offering free memory screenings throughout 2023. If you are age 45 or older, you are eligible to receive this service.
The next screening will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Registration is now open and is required in advance. Space is limited and sessions fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended.
To register for a September screening, contact Memory Center at (601) 268-5620.
Additional 2023 screening dates are:
- Thursday, Nov. 16
Memory Center is on the sixth floor of Hattiesburg Clinic located at 415 S. 28th Ave. in Hattiesburg. To learn more about Memory Center and its services, click here.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Forrest General Hospice Services offers a Bereavement Support Group that meets the first Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Asbury Hospice House dining room. If you are looking for spiritual and emotional support after the death of a loved one, please join us!
BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP MEETING

STAY INFORMED, CONNECTED, AND EMPOWERED!
The bariatric surgery support group provides patients with the opportunity to come together to receive new information, ideas, and support to promote success after bariatric surgery. The bariatric team is present to answer questions and provide advice to patients on their post-op journey. Bariatric surgery support group is open to patients who had bariatric surgery at any facility. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
WHEN: 1st Tuesday of the Month
TIME: 6pm-7pm
WHERE: Forrest General Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Rooms, Elm Room
Meeting attendance is also available via Zoom. To join the meeting, visit https://hubs.ly/Q01zs-Dy0.
HAVE QUESTIONS? Please call 601-288-1452.
Madalene's Moms : Fall Session

Whether you are expecting a new addition or you are adding to the family, we have the perfect class for you!
PREGNANCY EXERCISE: Mondays, 5:00 PM – September 11th, 18th, 25th; October 2nd, 9th, 16th
JUST MOVIN’: Mondays, 9:00 AM – September 11th, 18th, 25th; October 2nd, 9th, 16th
FIRST YEAR: Mondays, 10:30 AM – September 11th, 18th, 25th; October 2nd, 9th, 16th
TODDLER YEARS: Wednesdays, 9:30 AM – September 14th, 21st, 28th; October 5th, 12th, 19th
Order at CAREing Expressions Gift Shop!
CAREing Expressions Delivers: Do you have a loved one in the hospital or a friend who had a baby? Take a few minutes to brighten their day with a gift card from CAREing Expressions! Flowers, candy, cards, and balloons make a great “Get Well Soon” gift, or think outside the box with candles and decorative or beauty items from the gift shop!
The best part is you don’t even have to leave work or home. Shop by calling 601-288-4283 to find everything you need and have it delivered anywhere in the hospital, excluding the ICU, at no extra charge!
REACHING FOR THE STARS

Share your Forrest General experience by leaving a Rating or Review comment on Google or Facebook!
How to Leave a Google Review
Before leaving a review, please be sure to login to your Google account.
- Go to Forrest General Hospital's Google: www.forresthealth.org/googlereview.
- Click on "Reviews" if using your phone or "Write a Review" in the top right corner if you are on your computer.
- Click on the star rating and leave a message about your experience.
- Click "Post."
How to Leave a Facebook Review
Before leaving a review, please be sure to login to your Facebook account.
- Go to Forrest General Hospital's Facebook Page: www.forrestgeneral.com/FBReviews.
- Go to "Reviews" tab.
- Click "Recommend," select "Yes."
- Add comment, then click "Share."