• Focusing on continuity of care to ensure the needs of patients and families are met
• Concentrating on making the electronic medical record user-friendly, streamlined, and patient- and family-centered
• Addressing amenity needs of families such as parking and meals
• Improving the variety of therapies offered to patients
• Expanding the Child Life program
• UI Children's Hospital's visibility and pediatric outreach
• Addressing issues of race and poverty among patients and staff

Accomplishments

• Created in 1998, the Family Advisory Council gives families a voice in hospital policies and operations
• Instituted train-the-trainer sessions for hospital faculty and staff on the principles of family-centered care
• Created tools to help families communicate and advocate more effectively, including easier to read forms, white boards in patient rooms, etc.
• Facility design volunteers helped with unit renovations and handicap accessible playground design
• Revised the hospital family guides in all inpatient rooms
• Advocated for and effectively partnered with administration to create a full- time staff position dedicated to advancing the principles of patient- and family-centered care throughout UI Children's Hospital
• Developed an A La Carte food menu in partnership with Food and Nutrition Services
• Added patient- and family-centered care training to pediatric residents' orientation
• Created UI Children's Family as Faculty program

Family Advisory Council Home

Mission and Functions

Members

Our Stories

Projects and Initiatives

How to Join