UH Behavioral Health Institute Patient and Family Advisory Council
Partnering with Patients, Families and Care Partners
Patients and their families are at the heart of what University Hospitals does, and to understand their needs, they need to have a voice. That is why the leaders of the UH Behavioral Health Institute started the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) as an opportunity to hear the concerns of adult patients and receive input from their caregivers on behavioral health services and initiatives.
To join our PFAC or learn more, please contact Council Director David Brinkman-Sull at David.Brinkman-Sull@UHhospitals.org and leave a callback phone number.
What Is a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)?
A PFAC is an organization of current and former patients, family members and care partners that work together to advance best practices at a hospital or healthcare organization. Patients and families collaborate with employees (clinical, administrative and support) to provide guidance on how to improve patient and family experience.
Our Goal — To create a patient- and family- centered culture that involves a collaborative partnership among patients, families, caregivers, leadership and staff.
Our Mission — To improve the delivery of safe and quality healthcare by providing a way for the community to collaborate with staff, enhancing the experience for patients and their families.
Our Role — To represent the voice of patients and families by:
- Offering insight into practical physical and emotional concerns that patients and families face.
- Contributing ideas about improving the patient experience within the UH Behavioral Health Institute.
- Evaluating patient materials and providing feedback.
- Speaking from experience.
- Providing support and guidance to current UH Behavioral Health Institute patients.
- Serving on committees and task forces with doctors, nurses and administrators (if interested) to build awareness about matters that involve patients and families.
Our Members — Diverse, with shared traits:
- Diverse ages, races, backgrounds and types of behavioral health issues.
- Enthusiastic.
- Open-minded to the opinions of others.
- Willing to share ideas and take action towards change.
- Good communication skills.
UH Behavioral Health Institute PFAC Membership
PFAC members serve a two-year term and meet monthly. Meetings take place on Monday evenings and are held virtually over Zoom. Members have the option of extending their two-year term. We welcome applications from patients, family members and caregivers at any time.
Join the UH Behavioral Health Institute PFAC
If you’re interested in learning more about or joining our PFAC, please contact Council Director David Brinkman-Sull at David.Brinkman-Sull@UHhospitals.org and leave a callback phone number.