Our Mission
To weave the patient and family voice and expertise into the fabric of UCSF Health. We believe involving patients and families in the development and shaping of programs, services and initiatives fundamentally improves our ability to provide care in a way that meets their needs.
One of the many ways we engage with patients and families is through our Patient & Family Advisory Councils (PFACs). Working in mutually beneficial partnership with clinical, administrative, and research staff at UCSF, these former and current patients and their family members, along with staff members and leadership, help UCSF create an environment of patient and family-centered care across the continuum.
If it’s about us, we need to be there in the messy beginning!
About Us:
What is a Patient/Family Advisor?
A volunteer who:
- Has received care or has a family member receiving care at UCSF Health,
- Can commit to the meeting schedule of the advisory council they’re joining, for at least one year,
- Is willing and able to contribute to making a difference in the processes and workflows which affect all patients and their families,
- Understands that continuous improvement is necessary to truly meet the needs of patients and their families in a healthcare setting.
What might a patient and family advisor do?
- Participate in committees and initiatives across the organization
- Review and provide feedback on educational materials and resources
- Provide input into a variety of strategic initiatives, facility design and development of new services and offerings
- Participate in staff training initiatives through patient panels, staff meetings, and more
- Initiate improvement work in inpatient and ambulatory settings
- Offer peer-to-peer support as requested
- Share stories about care experiences