Patient and Family Advisors

Position Summary | Patient and Family Advisor

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:

• Bring a positive outlook and respect the opinions of others.
• Prepare for and regularly attend meetings.
• Actively participate in meetings and respect the perspective of others.
• Share insights and information about experiences.
• Model and embrace BCHS Mission, Vision and Values.
• Support the organizations commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Mindful of confidentiality and privacy always.
• Improve patient and family health care experiences.
• Provide input about how we develop patient-centered care.
• Influence organizational change.
• Improve the health care system.

Qualities | Patient and Family Advisor

• A passion for enhancing the health care experience of patients, families and caregivers.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Open-minded and positive.
• Respects others’ opinions and perspectives.
• Able to share thoughts and opinions in a group setting.
• Open to see beyond personal experience and appreciate the big picture.
• Comfortable communicating in English.
• Passionate and believe you can help influence decisions.

Qualifications | Patient and Family Advisor 

• A patient, or family member or caregiver of a patient, who has received care and is interested in gaining an understanding of Patient and Family Centered Care.
• Commit an average of four hours per month.
• Able to participate and attend meetings during normal business hours.

• November 2021
• May 2022
• May 2023
• October 2023
• June 2024

Gail is a dedicated and committed PFA at BCHS. She is a strong advocate for 'person centered' care and actively participates in a number of councils and committees.

Gail truly embodies the BCHS values of compassion, accountability, respect, and equity. As a former nurse, Gail has experienced the frontlines of healthcare first hand, and strives to turn her career experience into positive change at BCHS and the community at large. Another passion of hers is that she breeds Australian Shepherds.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Infection Prevention and Control Committee
• Nursing Quality Council
• Collaborative Practice Advisory Committee (CPAC)
• Quality Committee of the Board
• Medication Safety Committee
• Patient Flow Steering Committee
• Emergency Management Program Committee
• Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Committee and Working Group
• Clinical Ethics Committee

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."

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Mental Health and Addictions Quality Council 

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.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Ambulatory Council

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 dogs.

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. 

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Indigenous Cultural Safety Committee

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.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Mental Health and Addictions Quality Council

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.”

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council

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.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Emergency Program Council
  • ED Redevelopment Committee

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.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO's Patient Family Advisory Council
• Post-Acute Quality Council
• Palliative Care Quality Council
• Critical Care Council
• ED Redevelopment Committee

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.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Cardiology Quality Council
• Critical Incident Review Committee

Krystal is currently a nail tech and makeup artist with a decade of experience in Human Resources.

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.”

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Pediatric and NICU Council
• Emergency Program Council

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:

• Stroke Quality Council
  
• Pressure Injury Prevention Steering Committee

 Fola is from Nigeria and a physician.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Clinical Ethics Committee

New Member! Corah is the mother of a 20-month old.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Obstetrics Quality of Care Council

New member!

Orazio is interested in supporting potential projects with the Mental Health Program.