Patient and Family Advisory Councils
We extend an invitation to our former patients and their family members/caregivers to join the Covenant HealthCare Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Our vision for the PFAC is that the voice of the patient and family shall be heard across the continuum in all decisions made about patient care. To support our mission of Extraordinary Care for Every Generation, we commit to partnering with our patients and families by empowering those we serve to:
- Identify opportunities for improvement
- Enhance patient and family centered care
- Help us pursue clinical excellence and value of care
- Help us see all patients as people
The rewards of participating are many – from developing new friendships to making an impact on Covenant patient care. Please consider this opportunity to generate a difference by offering your insights to us.
The PFAC will be comprised of former patients, family members and caregivers of former patients, Covenant HealthCare leadership, and staff. Together, we can positively impact care for generations to come.
General overview of Advisory Councils at Covenant:
- Two hour, monthly (frequencies vary) meetings
- Provide feedback on Covenant projects and processes
- Work on program development and implementation
- Share experiences and offer guidance and suggestions for improvement
- Gain knowledge and understanding of hospital/department operations
PFAC Application
Opportunities include:
This council serves as our first ever Patient and Family Advisory Council and made its debut in October 2016. This council engages with leadership and staff throughout the organization and focuses on operations and process enhancement to better incorporate patient-centered care models. Patient Advisors from this group often support in developing new councils, join hospital committees and workgroups, and participate in facility design planning. The Executive PFAC meets on a monthly basis on the 3rd Wednesday, 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Harrison campus. Patients/caregivers accepted into this group have a wide variety of care experiences within Covenant HealthCare and other organizations. Membership is limited in this group due to capacity, but applications are always welcome.
The Cancer Care Council launched in August 2017. This council engages with leadership, staff, and physicians throughout the Cancer Care Center and focuses on operations and process enhancement to better incorporate patient-centered care models within the center. Patient advisors of this group support improvement at the Mackinaw campus in everything from the smaller amenities such as the gift shop through large-scale projects such as enhancing care coordination and patient education. The Cancer Care Center PFAC meets every other month on the 3rd Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Mackinaw campus. Patients/caregivers accepted into this group have had recent care experiences with the Cancer Care Center. Applications for this council are always being accepted.
The Women’s and Children’s PFAC launched in May 2018. This council engages with leadership, staff, and physicians specific to Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments at Covenant HealthCare and focuses on process improvement and program development to better incorporate patient-centered care models within our Birth Center, Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Patient Advisors of this group work to improve visitation guidelines, pediatric and infant safety, and enhance the labor, delivery, and post-partum experience. The Women’s and Children’s PFAC meets on a monthly basis, the 4th Wednesday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Harrison campus. Patients/Parents/Caregivers accepted into this group have recent care experiences in one or more areas of the birth center, pediatrics, or NICU departments. Applications for this council are currently being accepted.
The Orthopaedic Council is set to launch in early 2019. This council engages with leadership, staff, and physicians specific to the Orthopaedic department and orthopaedic physician offices at Covenant HealthCare and focuses on process improvement and program development to better incorporate patient-centered models with that service line. Patient Advisors of this group work to improve the joint works program, care coordination, and the patient experiences of orthopaedic patients. The meeting dates and times will be decided by its members. Patients/Caregivers accepted into this group have recent care experiences with Covenant HealthCare Orthopaedic physician offices and the orthopaedic unit at Covenant HealthCare Cooper. Applications for this council are currently being accepted.
The e-advisors engage with Covenant leadership and staff from the comfort of their own home or on the go! The purpose of this group is to provide fast feedback, via email, on questions asked to you such as marketing campaigns, minor process changes, and other patient experience enhancement ideas. There are no routine meetings and becoming an e-advisor is the easiest way to be involved and make your voice heard. Patients/caregivers accepted into this group should have recent care experiences within any aspect of Covenant HealthCare services. Applications are always being accepted.
The Physician office PFACs launched in late 2017. There are currently eight physician offices with patient and family advisor councils (listed below). Each council is unique to its location, patient population, and physician. The advisors in these groups provide feedback on care experiences, engage with their physician outside the scope of their care, and work with practice management to improve access, coordination, and communication at the office. Meeting times vary. For more information, speak with the office staff or office coordinator. Applications are always being accepted for these offices.
- Covenant Medical Group - 2919 E. Wilder Road, Suite 150, Bay City
- Covenant Medical Group - 7362 Midland Road, Freeland
- Covenant Medical Group - 6614 Dixie Highway, Bridgeport
- Covenant Medical Group - 1430 N. Center Road, Saginaw
- Covenant Medical Group - 600 N. Main Street, Suite 210, Frankenmuth
- Covenant Medical Group - 1910 Pine Avenue, Alma
- Covenant Medical Group - 8470 Main Street, Birch Run
Patients/caregivers accepted into this group should have recent care experiences within any aspect of Covenant HealthCare services. Applications are being accepted.
The Cardiovascular services council will launch in Spring/Summer 2021 and partner with staff, leaders, and physicians to improve patient care and experience in all aspects of cardiac services at Covenant, including inpatient, outpatient testing, physician offices, and cardiac procedures. We are currently accepting applications for this group.
To become a member of the PFAC, please contact Christin Tenbusch, Patient Experience Administrator at 989.583.7491 or pfac@chs-mi.com, or complete the online application linked above.