Family Advisory Board Accomplishments

Identified Areas of Focus: Selected key areas of focus including Access and Wait Times, Emergency Department Experience, and Care Coordination for medically complex children.

Support for Staff: Shared messages of support to staff who helped victims following the shooting at the Super Bowl parade.

Joined Epic Hospital Committees: Participated in the Clinical Advisory Council, Outpatient Advisory Council, and Digital Engagement committees as Children’s Mercy transitions to the Epic EMR system.

Service Project: Served lunch at the Ronald McDonald House.

Transition and Resource Fair: Contributed to the planning and execution of the Transition and Resource Fair.

Educational Contributions: Served as subject matter experts in educational forums for staff and trainees, including the Family as Faculty program for Graduate Medical Education and Graduate Nurse Residency.

Virtual Nursing Program: Gave feedback on the new Virtual Nursing Program and Demonstration, suggesting ways to explain it to families.

Patient Progression Hub and Emergency Department Tour: Toured the Patient Progression Hub and the Emergency Department to understand their operations.

Hospital Projects: Learned about the hospital programs including Genomic Answers for Kids and improving care for non-English speaking families.

Hosted Welcome Lunch for Incoming Residents: Introduced the new class of residents to the patient- and family-centered culture at Children’s Mercy.  

20th Anniversary Celebration: FAB celebrated its 20th anniversary with an event at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute, highlighting its role as a trailblazer in patient- and family-centered care.

Strategic Initiatives: Introduced to two major strategic initiatives, “Illuminate” (a 5-year mental health strategic plan) and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan.

Quality and Safety Projects: Provided feedback on medication reconciliation, patient portal upgrades, and integrating the family voice into evidence-based practices.

Patient Experience Enhancements: Contributed to the Connected Experience, Guest Services enhancements, updates to the Contact Center, and the psychosocial safety note pilot in the EMR.

Educational Contributions: Hosted an orientation lunch for incoming residents, participated in the Family as Faculty program, and facilitated parent panels for various programs.

Facility Redesign Feedback: Participated in facility redesign proposals, including the main lobby walk-through, Emergency Department lobby redesign focus group, and Ronald McDonald Room renovations.

Educational Events and Resources: Served on the planning committee for the Transition to Adulthood Family Education Day Conference, recommended topics for the Powering Families webinar series, and reviewed educational resources.

Staff Recognition Programs: Provided insight on awards for non-clinical staff and the Patient and Family Seal of Collaboration, with two members recognized as Volunteers of the Month.

Philanthropic Involvement: Participated in events like Red Hot Night, Big Slick, and Dream Big Day, and represented Children’s Mercy on the Children’s Hospital Association REaL Data project.

Community Engagement: Participated in the Operation Breakthrough Bus Tour, heard presentations from Integrated Care Solutions and Team Impact, and shared feedback on the Built for Kids media campaign.\

View our 2023 Annual Report

Feedback on Key Initiatives: FAB provided invaluable feedback on the opioid stewardship program, procedure pre-authorization, no surprise billing, and patient experience.

Security Improvements: Advised on the implementation of the security threats rapid improvement team and new security wristband system to enhance safety for hospital employees, patients, and guests.

Quality Improvement Projects: Engaged in multiple quality improvement projects, including anaphylaxis evidence-based practice, kidney transplant, COVID vaccine mandate, and a pilot program for ENT surgeries.

Patient Experience Focus: Provided insights on three focus groups, inpatient room redesign, patient experience road test, and the Wichita lab.

Policy Review and Approval: Reviewed and approved the Patient and Family Engagement policy and the Patient- and Family-Centered Care policy.

Educational Contributions: Served as subject matter experts in educational forums for staff and trainees, including the Family as Faculty program for Graduate Medical Education.

Philanthropic Involvement: Participated in philanthropic programs such as Dream Big Day and Big Slick events, and created a thank you video for Nurse’s Week.

Regional and National Advocacy: Represented FAB on regional and national levels, including a parent panel for Health Affairs and a video presentation for the Society of Pediatric Psychology Conference.

Awards and Recognition: Two members received special awards for their service—Bethany Luther as November Volunteer of the Month and Miriam Iliff with the Kindness Award.

Committee Participation: Joined various hospital committees, including accessibility, care navigation, patient experience steering committee, and hunger free taskforce.

View our 2022 Annual Report 

Met with President and CEO to discuss requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, volunteers and contractors.

Facilitated a ride-along experience with an executive vice president to demonstrate the parking concerns at three campuses.

Created a new welcome and safety video, which is shown to all patient and families upon admission.

Collaborated on facility improvements, including the cafeteria redesign, PICU/CICU waiting areas and parking upgrades.

Partnered in executive recruitment interviews for Children’s Mercy leadership team.

Hosted a listening session with the Emergency Department.

Participated in LEAN RPIW workshops.

Met with consultant to discuss the patient and family experience around care coordination and navigation, access, and connectivity.

Presented Children’s Hospital Association webinar entitled “Engaging the Family Voice – Exploring Patient and Family Partnerships.”

Served as a subject matter experience on a Patient Experience Collaborative session entitled “Religious and Cultural Needs.”

Contributed to a Health Affairs article “Gaining Family Input at a Children’s Medical Center.”

Presented on a Health Affairs virtual event “Caring for Those with Complex Needs.”

Provided feedback to a marketing agency on a proposed marketing campaign for Children’s Mercy.

Designed an FAB membership page for the public website

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program for residents and graduate nurses.

Supported Children’s Mercy partnerships in the community for the 15 and the Mahomes Foundation and Sporting Kansas City.

Provided vital feedback regarding the patient portal, telemedicine and my needle procedure plan.

Volunteered with state and national organizations.

Served as the oversight group for the Patient Family Advisory Councils at Children’s Mercy.

View our 2021 Annual Report.

Successfully transitioned meetings to a virtual platform in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Partnered in executive recruitment interviews for Children’s Mercy leadership team.

Participated in the Enterprise Strategic Plan Leadership Retreat.

Served on True North Pillar committees and strategic plan work groups.

Showcased patient- and family-centered initiative in meeting with Magnet appraisers during the re-designation visit.

Collaborated at Children’s Hospital Association Next Generation Quality Improvement Workshop.

Co-presented two sessions at Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care International Conference: “Walk in my Shoes: Utilizing Patient Family Advisors as Educators in Graduate Medical Education” and “Let’s Talk About Antibiotics: Partnering with English and Spanish Speaking Parents to Develop Tools to Reduce Misconceptions About Antibiotics.”

Served on Pediatric Experience Collaborative Telehealth Panel.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program for residents and graduate nurses.

Represented FAB at the annual signature fundraising event Red Hot Night.

Assisted as Ambassadors and Dream Makers for the inaugural Dream Big Day fundraiser.

Completed demographic and satisfaction survey of FAB and the other 17 PFACs.

Designed and revealed a new logo for FAB and other PFACs.

Provided vital feedback regarding facility updates, care navigation, clinic access, and recognition programs.

Represented patients and families on the Planned Giving Council, Mercy Ambassadors, and Grateful Families.

Volunteered with state and national organizations.

Served as the oversight group for the Patient Family Advisory Councils at Children’s Mercy.

View our 2020 Annual Report.

Contributed to the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation and the Health Care Transformation Task Force case study highlighting Children’s Mercy as an exemplar organization of patient and family engagement. The project was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Partnered in executive recruitment interviews for Children’s Mercy leadership team.

Participated in the Enterprise Strategic Plan Leadership Retreat.

Attended the Beryl Institute Pop-Up event hosted at Children’s Mercy and the Beryl Institute Patient Experience Conference in Dallas.

Co-presented with a research project “Let’s Talk about Antibiotics” during the International Children’s Advisory Network annual summit held in Kansas City with members from El Consejo.

Promoted and volunteered at a community education event “Prepped and Ready” for parents and caregivers of teens.

Assisted with the redesign of patient billing statements and improvements to the patient portal.

Reviewed and approved hospital policies including the Patient- and Family-Centered Care policy and the Patient and Family Engagement policy.

Collaborated on hospital initiatives including Children’s Mercy brand positioning, anthem video, surgery EASE app, and Parent-ish blog.

Toured the Fetal Health Center, Parent Exercise Room, Home Care and Refill Pharmacy at the Riverside Facility, and the Executive Huddle Board.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on all the Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program for residents and graduate nurses.

Provided vital feedback regarding facility updates, care navigation, clinic access, and the summer lunch program.

Represented patients and families on the Planned Giving Council, Mercy Ambassadors, and Grateful Families.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Volunteered with state and national organizations.

Served as the oversight group for the Patient Family Advisory Councils at Children’s Mercy.

View our 2019 Annual Report.

Launched three workgroups to focus on transition to adult care, on-boarding new members, and a formalized alumni group.

Collaborated on hospital initiatives including the strategic plan, equity and diversity, and financial processes.

Created educational videos for patients, families, and staff for suicide screening, sepsis awareness, and transitioning to adult care.

Participated on a PCORI research project concentrating on reducing antibiotic misuse

Partnered with staff on website redesign and facility upgrades.

Hosted an Amazon book drive and collected over 1500 books for outpatient clinics.

Toured the inpatient pharmacy and the Transport Department including the transfer center, ambulance bay, and helipad.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on all the Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Provided education in the Family as Faculty program for residents, graduate nurses, and social workers.

Partnered with the Department of Philanthropy on special events including the 2018 Wish List Campaign.

Represented patients and families on the Planned Giving Council, Mercy Ambassadors, and Grateful Families.

Hosted annual orientation luncheon for new residents.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Volunteered with state and national organizations.

Served as the oversight group for the Patient Family Advisory Councils at Children’s Mercy.

View our 2018 Annual Report.

Served as consultants on Lean improvement projects in Perioperative Services and ambulatory clinics.

Collaborated on hospital initiatives including outpatient clinic appointment scheduling, transition, and suicide screening.

Created educational videos for patients and families for the Patient Portal and GetWell Network.

Participated on a PCORI research project focused on reducing antibiotic misuse.

Partnered with the First Impressions Steering Committee for enhancements to the Same Day Surgery entrance, main lobby, and parking garage signage.

Volunteered to test and provide feedback on the new Children’s Mercy mobile app.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on all the Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Provided education in the Family as Faculty program for residents and graduate nurses.

Partnered with the Department of Philanthropy on special events including United Way Kick-Offs.

Represented patients and families on the Planned Giving Council, Mercy Ambassadors, and Grateful Families.

Hosted annual orientation luncheon for new residents.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Served as the oversight group for the Patient Family Advisory Councils at Children’s Mercy.

Aligned with the Center for Clinical Effectiveness.

Honored at a special recognition event with hospital leadership.

View our 2017 Annual Report.

Studied the hospital’s strategic plan and identified access, outcomes, communication, and safety as their top areas to influence.

Participated on three PCORI research projects.

Collaborated on Lean improvement projects across inpatient units and ambulatory clinics

Partnered on hospital initiatives including “Nurse Shift Hand-off at the Bedside” and “On-Time Starts” in outpatient clinics.

Worked with the Innovation Center during the discovery phase of alternatives for patient armbands and the new hospital wayfinding app.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on all the Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Provided insight for the design of technology-driven health care and changes to enteral tubing adaptors.

Hosted a luncheon for the Magnet designation team.

Partnered with the Department of Philanthropy on numerous fundraising campaigns and special events including Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, Holiday Heroes, and KC Cares for Kids Walk.

Represented patients and families on the Planned Giving Council, Mercy Ambassadors, and Grateful Families.

Created education videos for patients and families.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program for residents.

Hosted parent panels for the Graduate Nurse Residency program.

Hosted annual orientation luncheon for new residents.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Served as the oversight group for the growing numbers of Patient Family Advisory Councils.

View our 2016 Annual Report.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on the ten Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Provided guidance on the redesign of the Kreamer Resource Center for Families.

Participated on Children’s Mercy Lean System teams from Radiology, Peri-Op Services, Environmental Services, and inpatient units.

Partnered with the Department of Philanthropy on numerous fundraising campaigns and special events.

Collaborated in the creation of a transition program.

Developed a series of Family Centered Care brochures.

Created several educational videos for patients and families.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program for residents.

Hosted parent panels for the Graduate Nurse Residency program.

Held an orientation luncheon for new residents.

Presented at Discover Children’s Mercy for community leaders.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Partnered with numerous community organizations.

View our 2015 Annual Report.

Earned the prominent distinction of being a Profile of Change hospital by the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care.

Recognized as one of the Caregiver Action Network’s “25 of the Nation’s Best Practices in Patient and Family Engagement.”

Served as Patient Family Advisors on the ten Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Filmed video about patient and family engagement for international conference.

Designed Clear Care Communication boards for inpatient rooms.

Provided guidance for the Get Well Network content.

Collaborated in the planning for a transition webpage and newsletter.

Developed a series of Family Centered Care brochures.

Created several educational videos including Service Excellence and Central Line Care.

Participated in the Working Wonders video for Communications and Marketing.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program.

Hosted an orientation luncheon for new residents.

Presented at Discover Children’s Mercy for community leaders.

Represented the parent perspective on numerous hospital committees and projects.

Partnered with numerous community organizations.

View our 2014 Annual Report.

Celebrated 10^th anniversary of the Family Advisory Board.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on the ten Ohio Collaborative Solutions for Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Conditions committees.

Collaborated on construction of an Accessible Family Care Station for patients, families, employees, and guests.

Developed guidelines for the new parent rooms on the inpatient units.

Created orientation videos for the ICN and PICU.

Participated in the appreciation video for the Adele Hall family.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program.

Hosted an orientation luncheon for new residents.

Filmed podcast on the benefits of partnering with Patient Family Advisors.

Presented Ethics Brown Bag “This is Your Patient This is My Child.”

Volunteered at Community Transition Resource Fair.

Provided input on the design of the new hospital website.

Reviewed programs and information aimed for patients and families.

Partnered with numerous community organizations.

Updated the FAB membership guidelines.

View our 2013 Annual Report.

Collaborated on the development of Patient and Family Centered Care policy.

Served as Patient Family Advisors on Ohio Children’s Hospitals Solution for Patient Safety committees.

Created a Family Activated Rapid Response educational  video for families.

Served as Family Educators in the Family as Faculty program.

Provided education to PICU Staff, Respiratory Therapists, and Social Workers.

Collaborated on Quality Improvement projects including discharge process, security check-in process, and cross continuum of care.

Met with Magnet appraisers during on-site survey.

Provided feedback on progress of Project Clinic Access.

View our 2012 Annual Report.