Patient and Family Advisors
The Patient and Family Advisor (PFA) is a person who has lived experiences in healthcare as a patient or family member of a patient and is eager to make a difference in their local healthcare by sharing their personal stories. Patient and family caregiver stories help inform and inspire us to improve the health care system for people just like you.
Our PFAs are a strong example of our commitment to patient and family engagement with evidence of strong collaboration and shared decision making in key hospital and program policy, planning, quality improvement and educational materials.
PFA Volunteer Position Description PFA Information Sheet PFA Orientation Handbook
Who Can Be a Patient and Family Advisor?
Anyone can become an advisor. Your voice and experience can make a positive difference in local health care planning.
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Position Summary | Patient and Family Advisor |
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This is a volunteer advisory role that will influence hospital decisions; provide an objective and balanced approach to patient and family perspectives across a wide range of hospital initiatives, programs, services, and policies. PFA’s work in partnership with the hospital to create a Patient and Family Centered Care environment and experience. Patient and Family Centered Care is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families, and health care providers (Institute for Patient-and Family-Centered Care, 2010). Patient and Family Advisors also:
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Qualities | Patient and Family Advisor |
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Qualifications | Patient and Family Advisor |
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Why are Patient & Family Advisors Important to our Health Care System?
- Patient and Family advisors bring the voices of patients and family caregivers to health care planning tables
- Your unique experiences and stories will help strengthen and improve health care and services for everyone
Hands-on Commitment for Positive Change at BCHS
- Participate as committee members and working groups across Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS)*
- Partner with BCHS employees by providing input for policies, programs and practices
- Work with health care staff to encourage and ensure the delivery of safe high quality patient and family-centered care at BCHS
* Time commitment will vary depending on the involvement of each individual advisor
How to Become a Patient and Family Advisor
If you would like to apply for this volunteer position, please fill out the PDF application form, electronic application and reference form and return it to patientfamilyadvisory@bchsys.org or mail to:
Patient Engagement Coordinator
Brant Community Healthcare System
200 Terrace Hill Street
Brantford, ON N3R 1G9
Patient and Family Advisor Application | Apply Now!
Learn More:
E-mail patientfamilyadvisory@bchsys.org or call 519-751-5544 ext. 2177
| CEO's Patient and Family Advisor Council Newsletters |
Meet Our BCHS Patient and Family Advisors
| Anna Maynard | Co-Chair of CEO's Patient Family Advisory Council |
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Anna became a PFA because she wanted to improve the patient experience that she and her mother experienced and believes that she can use her adult education and nursing knowledge, along with her patient experiences, to advocate for positive change. Anna has proudly called the County of Brant/Brantford home since 1990. In addition to being an avid gardener and watercolour/oil artist, she is also a wife and grandmother of 3, and the owner of the most lovable and mischievous cocker spaniel. Anna looks forward to problem-solving and analyzing system problems to further the BCHS Mission of 'working together to build a healthier community'.
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| Janice Kucharew |
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"I love being involved and find it very rewarding. Being a Patient and Family Advisor is a very important role and I always come to the table with my Patient and Family 'lens' on," says Janice. "I hope more community members will want to become involved to make a difference and effect positive change." In addition to being a retired Sales Manager for Hallmark Canada, Janice is also a wife, a mother of 2, and grandmother of 5 grandchildren - all of whom were born at the Brant Community Healthcare System.
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| Mohammad Hassan |
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Mohammad is excited to see how his life and work experience can be helpful and utilized for the betterment of the Brantford community as a PFA/volunteer. He is a bright and receptive individual, capable of communicating effectively with people at all levels. He possesses a good sense of humor and maintains a pleasant approach in his interactions.
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| Shannon MacKenzie |
| Shannon is passionate about the quality of Mental Health Care and Addiction programs offered in our fast-growing community. She also loves to share stories, ideas, and brainstorm solutions when problems present.
In addition to being a busy spouse and mom of 3 children, Shannon is a Student Support Counselor at W. Ross MacDonald School for the Visually Impaired and Deafblind. "I LIVE, WORK, and PLAY in Brantford," says Shannon. "I am also part of the 'sandwich generation', with aging, elderly parents/family members, young adult children, and a school-age child."
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| Bruce Wilson |
 Most of Bruce’s working years were as a manager in the natural gas industry before retiring over 10 years ago and continuing his hobbies of woodworking, playing the guitar, and travelling.
Throughout his life, volunteering has played an instrumental role and over the past 20 years, Bruce has volunteered an average of 12 to 14 monthly pet therapy visits to various organizations, including the Brantford General Hospital (BGH) and the Willett. “I was always encouraged to be involved in the community, so it comes naturally to volunteer where I can.” Since early 2022, he has also volunteered one morning each week in the Ambulatory Care Unit at the BGH. “As a result of the contact with patients, visitors, and staff, and being able to witness their experiences, I feel that I have gained a newfound understanding of healthcare. My unique experience makes me feel like I have something to offer as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory” says Bruce.
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| Jodi Rock |
My name is Jodi Rock, I am turtle clan, Mohawk Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River. I am registered with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, I consider both to be my home communities. I currently live and work in Hamilton, ON and have lived most of my life off reserve. I am a mom to 4, an Auntie to 4, a great Auntie to 4, and a loving caretaker of 4 4leggeds.
In my work life i came to Hamilton to work for HRIC, moving to De dwa da dehs nyes and NWC before moving to system work. I have worked in patient navigation, home visitation and front line/management roles in programs that supported those chronically unhoused, and survivors of family violence/human trafficking. At system levels i worked on projects that coordinated care for clients with complex needs, enhancing cultural safety for Indigenous people and building partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous led health and social supports. On a volunteer basis i am a member or my Nation’s health pillar and support Brant/Hamilton health care systems as a patient and family advisor.
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| Angela DeMontigny |
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| Bryony Fox |
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Bryony started her journey with the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) in 2017 when her dad was hospitalized for 15 months and experienced 5 different hospitals. During this time, she visited him daily and witnessed the good and bad of healthcare. This influenced her decision to use her family caregiver voice and help the system work towards the patient centred care model. “I can’t say enough about the commitment and level of compassion that is associated with this committee. As a team we are bridging the medical and patient centred model of care, together.” Bryony is also an Educational Assistant and knows how valuable the healthcare system is to our broader community. “I love to advocate for our youth because they are our future.”
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| David Kirk |
Since his retirement as an educator, David has been a volunteer for many years in Brantford and Brant County. He has held various leadership positions with certain charitable organizations during that time. He feels that it is important to give back to the community where he has been a resident for over 50 years. He was honored to receive a Volunteer Community Impact Award in 2023.
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| Harold Stahl | Co-Chair of CEO's Patient Family Advisory Council |
 Harold is a retired Manufacturing Engineering Technologist having worked in manufacturing as a Manufacturing Engineer, Production manager and plant manager in his career. As a Cancer survivor of 6 years and a care giver of aging parents, Harold is passionate about the quality of healthcare. Harold became a PFA because he wanted to improve the patient experiences that his mother and father experienced and believes that he can use his parent’s and family experiences to advocate for positive change.
Harold, although born in Germany, has spent all of his pre-adult life in Brantford and after a few years working and living in the Kitchener area returned to Brantford. In addition to being an avid curler and golfer, he is also a husband, father of 2 boys, grandfather of 3, and the owner of a Great Pyreneese/Labrador dog.
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| Karen Dinsmore |
 Karen has lived in Brantford her whole life. She has been married for over 50 years, has three wonderful children, and four adorable grandchildren.
Over the years, she has gained firsthand experience through her visits to the Brantford General Hospital and these insights have been invaluable to better understand healthcare from the lens of patients and families. “I want to give back to the community that raised me. It’s so important that patient’s needs are put first and I am a huge advocate for adding that perspective to the conversation.” As a long-time Patient and Family Advisor (she was on the first ever PFA committee), Karen hopes to advance safe, high-quality care, for those who need it most.
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| Krystal Nagy |
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She is passionate about reading, travelling, Disney, and advocating for the best care for her son. As a mom of a cardiac child, Krystal visits the Brantford General Hospital (BGH) Pediatric Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Sick Kids Hospital frequently. “I have a lot of experience from the point of view of a loved one. I became a PFA because I want to help provide insight and feedback to drive continued quality of care for children in BGH.”
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| Nancy Young |
 Nancy initially worked in acute care hospital settings before transitioning to a community care nurse. She spent most of her career as Care Coordinator CCAC/LHIN working mainly at their BCHS satellite site. In her retirement she volunteers at Stedman Hospice and the Brantford General Hospital (BGH) Emergency Department.
Nancy’s passion has always been working at the bedside with patients and families. “It’s an honour to hear their stories and advocate, support, and assist them with resources that helps them navigate their transition from hospital to home.” Her professional and personal experiences, including caring for a parent who has experienced a stroke, has made her realize the importance of advocates and support systems. “I feel as though it’s important that patients and families have an opportunity to share their experiences. Each story can be so different and yet so important.” So far during her role as Patient and Family Advisor (PFA) she’s noticed that patients and family members enjoy engaging and sharing their hospital experience. This creates a meaningful interaction where the person feels valued in being able to provide feedback, and PFA’s feel helpful in being able to listen and advocate for them. “I am motivated in my role as PFA to contribute as one of the voices representing hospital patients with the hope that we can make a difference for the betterment of patient care.” BCHS Councils and Committees: |
| Folasade Akinfe |
Fola is from Nigeria and a physician. BCHS Councils and Committees:
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| Will Moore |
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Will's passion for helping those with mental health challenges stems from his personal experience living with ADHD. Outside of his role at BHCS, Will leads communications for a software company. He lives in central Brantford and serves as a board director for SOAR Community Services.
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| Orazio Caltagirone |
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Orazio is interested in supporting potential projects with the Mental Health Program. |
| Arooj Shaikh |
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Arooj is a mom of three, a medical radiation therapist registered with CMRTIO and currently working in the pharmaceutical industry as a senior manager in patient support programs. She is also the president and founder of Muslim women of Brant.
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| Susanne Sauvé |
 Susanne is a retired French teacher and enjoys curling.
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Brianne Hornung |
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Bio coming soon!
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After suffering a stroke in 2001, Anna had to give up her nursing career as a Nurse Educator. As a Stroke survivor of 21 years, Anna is passionate about the quality of healthcare, readable patient education materials, and accessible environments for patients and visitors.
As a patient and caregiver, Janice is passionate about helping to make a positive change in our healthcare system. Her focus is consistency, communication, and patient-centered care.
Angela is an award-winning Indigenous fashion designer, artist, entrepreneur, and mentor of Cree/Métis heritage who has been a trailblazer of Indigenous Luxury fashion for over 2 decades. She also unveiled her first major public art installation ‘All Our Relations’ on Hamilton’s waterfront on Sept. 30th, 2023, the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. Being a single mother to two children who have experienced issues with mental health, she has faced many challenges in navigating help for them. That experience informed Angela's desire to create positive change in the mainstream health care system regarding mental health. She has also worked with traditional Indigenous medicine people and knowledge keepers for decades and is passionate about bringing Indigenous healing practices into mainstream healthcare for everyone’s benefit.
Krystal is currently a nail tech and makeup artist with a decade of experience in Human Resources.
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