St. Michael’s Hospital
At St. Michael’s Hospital, we are committed to partnering with patients, families, and caregivers throughout their healthcare experience. There are several Patient and Family Councils (PFCs) at St. Michael’s with members that include patients, family members, caregivers, and hospital staff.
In January of 2008, the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital initiated the first CF Patient/Family Advisory Board (PFAB) in Canada, to ensure patients’ needs are met with the highest standards of results. The aim of PFAB is to act as an advisory resource to the St. Michael’s CF care team. Membership is for a 3 year term with an option to renew and is made up of patients and caregivers.
Objectives:
- To collaboratively work with the CF team to actively participate in the development of new programs, review recommendations and provide input with the ultimate goal of shaping a service system that is patient/family centered, efficient and cost effective.
Should you have any questions or comments please contact PFAB at CF.PFAB.Toronto@gmail.com or the CF staff advisor Annie Thomas-Diceman at Annie.Thomas@unityhealth.to
The Family Health Team PFC is a forum to engage and partner with our patients/families to create the best possible patient and family experience in primary care. Through inclusion, transparency, open dialogue and respectful relationships, we work collaboratively to ensure the patient voice is central to our work. The council meets on the first Wednesday of each month for two hours and currently includes 11 patients and family members. The group is co-chaired by a patient and staff member. Membership terms are for two years, with the option of a one-year renewal.
Objectives
- To discuss organization specific items that relate to patient experience and engage in shared decision-making
- To create patient-led opportunities to improve care experiences
Contact: Nassim Vahidi-Williams Nassim.Vahidi-Williams@Unityhealth.to, 416-864-6060 ext. 77244
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PFAC meetings have temporarily paused and will resume when it is safe to do so.
The Hemodialysis PFAC serves as a regular meeting forum for patients, family members and caregivers to partner with hospital staff members and leaders to shape decisions and influence change for the hemodialysis program. The council meets every two months for one hour and is made up of current patients, former patients and family members or caregivers of patients who are/were treated on this unit.
Objectives:
- To promote patient advocacy among this unique chronic illness patient group to speak up about issues surrounding their care and time in the hospital
- To provide a safe space for council members to discuss and bring up any concerns identified by themselves or on behalf of peers on hemodialysis
Contact: Courtney Sas at Courtney.Sas@unityhealth.to (416-864-6060 ext. 6768) or Asha Aggarwal Asha.Aggarwal@unityhealth.to (416-864-6060 ext. 43583)
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PFAC meetings have temporarily paused and will resume when it is safe to do so.
The Kidney Transplant PFAC provides an avenue for open dialogue and gives voice to transplant patients, kidney donors and families on how care is delivered in the kidney transplant program. The PFAC meets monthly for two hours and is made up of current patients and family members/caregivers of patients who have received care in our kidney transplant program. The membership term is for one year and renewal is reviewed annually.
Objectives:
- Create a forum to discuss kidney transplant clinic initiatives, projects and program changes that relate to patient experience
- Provide input on projects and initiatives which affect care and services for patients and families at the kidney transplant clinic
Contact: Kathryn Salvatore at Kathryn.Salvatore@unityhealth.to or 416-864-6060 ext. 48245
Supporting the small but mighty and the families who love them
The NICU PAC is made up of parents whose child or children have been patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Michael’s.
The goals of this council are to:
- Assist St. Michael’s with the ongoing improvement and evolution of patient care and family experience in the NICU and to support current NICU families during their child’s or children’s stay
We perform two primary functions:
- Provide advice and feedback to staff regarding patient and family experiences in the NICU
- Provide support to current NICU families through communication and social engagement
Contact: Melissa Luongo at 416-864-6060 ext. 6616
Last updated September 20, 2023