URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Carle Health patients and their family members throughout Carle’s service areas have an opportunity to help improve the healthcare landscape of their community by applying to join Carle Health Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFAC).

PFACs provide feedback and guidance on services and programs, offer advice and actionable ideas to improve the patient and family member experience, and serve as a channel to share concerns with Carle leadership.

All eight Carle Health hospitals have a PFAC seeking additional members or are launching new advisory councils and seeking members.

Each council will have eight to 12 members who meet quarterly, either virtually or in person. Each PFAC includes Carle Health leaders who provide updates and listen to feedback.

“Patient and Family Advisory Councils are essential in healthcare systems because they ensure that healthcare decisions reflect the real experiences, needs and preferences of patients and their families. This leads to more compassionate, personalized and effective care,” Brenna Kelley, Carle Experience consultant and PFAC coordinator, said.

Carle Health patients or family members may apply to join a council. The healthcare system seeks individuals who represent a variety of clinical experiences and backgrounds. After completing the application process, individuals will participate in an interview with PFAC facilitators to be considered.

Karen Kaplan, of Champaign, is a member of the advisory council at Carle Foundation Hospital, and they hope a variety of patients and family members apply to join their area’s council.

“They (Carle Health leaders) value our opinion and that keeps us coming back,” Kaplan said.

“It’s very insightful for our organization to have feedback from patients and families we serve,” Anne Bowman, director of oncology and lead for the PFAC at Carle Health Methodist Hospital, said.