Be a voice for children and families
We strive to provide the highest quality patient- and family-centered care possible. Our patients’ parents and family members are uniquely able to help us learn whether we’re meeting that standard, what we are doing well, and where we have opportunities to improve.
M Health Fairview Pediatrics’ Parent and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) was established in 1993 as a way to make sure we hear the voice of patients and families across the care continuum. The PFAC meets nine times per year to share their experiences, opinions, and suggestions in a variety of areas from quality of care, to nutrition, to strategic planning, to health equity. The M Health Fairview Pediatrics PFAC serves as a bridge between our children’s health system and the families we serve.
Our goal is to work together to improve patient- and family-centered care by:
- Advocating for child- and family-centered programs across the children’s health system
- Advising administrators and physician leaders about issues related to patients and families
- Bringing forward improvement ideas and issues, concerns, and needs related to patient and family experience and safety
- Delivering input and feedback on key initiatives and projects, including facility planning, program development, training, service, and hospital policies
- Participating in education and training of the healthcare team regarding patient and family needs and perspectives
- Reflecting the diversity of M Health Fairview Pediatrics’ patient and family population
- Developing specific and measurable goals annually, with the support of leadership, and reporting outcomes each year
Meeting Schedule and Member Responsibilities
- The MHF UMMCH PFAC is a formal group that meets regularly to facilitate collaboration with staff and providers.
- The UMMCH PFAC meets nine times per year on the second Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The group does not meet in July, August and December.
- Members are required to attend seven of the nine scheduled meetings during each year of their two-year term. A virtual meeting option will be offered, and virtual attendance will meet attendance requirements.
- Members will occasionally be expected to review assessments, commentary or other documents prior to a meeting.
- New Members will be asked to commit to membership responsibilities and complete a brief training with a PFAC Coordinator.
- Members will present MHealth Fairview in a positive manner during in-person and social media interactions.
Advisors joining the PFAC will participate under the following guidelines
- When applying for membership they must have a child who has had either pediatric inpatient hospital care or annual/ongoing pediatric clinic care in the past two years.
- They are asked to make a two-year commitment to the PFAC and will be given a two-year term, commencing on the date of the first meeting they attend.
- Advisors must attend seven of nine PFAC meetings each year. The staff co-chair will contact them halfway through their first year of membership to provide their running attendance tally.
Teen Advisory Council
The Masonic Children's Hospital Teen Advisory Council provides a space for patients to voice first hand experiences, provide valuable input, and offer unique perspectives. Teen advisors collaborate with staff on how to improve the pediatric patient experience.
Past improvement topics:
- The design of the Kyle Rudolph End Zone and participation in the ribbon cutting ceremony
- Hospital programming in the Zucker Suite Studio and the Kyle Rudolph End Zone
- Design of the newly opened Voyager Clinic
- The creation of the facility dog programming
Membership requirements:
- Current pediatric patient at Masonic Children's Hospital
- A student in 8th grade through 12th grade; teen advisors will age out of the PFAC upon graduation or upon turning 19 years old, whichever may come first
- Commit to regular attendance and participation in every other month meetings from September to June; meetings are the third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Commit to serving a minimum of one year
How to join the council
Patients, parents and other family members of patients who have received care at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital or our pediatric clinics in the last two years are invited to apply for membership. Members commit to all required membership requirements.
To apply to join a M Health Fairview Patient-Family Advisory Council, fill out the application.
What do Patient-Family Advisory Councils do?
Our PFACS have a noticeable effect on the well-being of everyone in our health system, including the children and families we serve as well as our staff. Here are just a few examples:
- Provided input on Adopt a Room updates.
- Served as a focus group for the pediatrics department’s strategic planning process.
- Worked with the M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital nutrition department to increase gluten-free options available in clinics and emergency department settings, for times when cafeteria is closed.
- Successfully advocated for a new healthy food vending machine in the South Building of the M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital for patients, families, and staff.
- Participated in a range of workgroups, initiatives, committees, and surveys, including iPASS, a MyChart mobile app review, a staff education day presentation, the Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety, the M Health Fairview Comprehensive Ambulatory Strategy Group, and the Parent Engagement in the PICU Project.
- Presented the third Parent Advisory Board IMPACT Award, which recognizes a pediatric staff team or individual who has had an impact on patient and family experience.
- Engaged in speaking opportunities at department meetings and events to share information with staff and raise awareness of the PFACs.
Share your story
Your story has power. Sharing your family’s journey and healthcare experiences publicly can inspire others, shine a light on a particular disorder or treatment, and garner support for diseases and conditions facing children worldwide. Are you ready to become an advocate? M Health Fairview Pediatrics’ marketing and communications teams can help you reach the widest possible audience.
Check out some of our recent patient stories and contact us to learn more.