What is the Family Advisory Council?

The Family Advisory Council (FAC) was formed in 1998 and serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Directors, administration, and hospital staff. The council's mission is to work in partnership with hospital staff to promote the delivery of Patient and Family Centered Care.

Core Concepts of Patient- and Family-Centered Care

• Respect and Dignity. Health care providers listen, consider and honor the views and preferences of patients and their family perspectives. The planning and delivery of care for each patient takes into account the values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds of the patient family.
• Information Sharing. Providers communicate and share completed and unbiased information with patient families in a supportive, clear, and timely manner so that patient families can& effectively participate in care and decision-making.
• Participation. Patient families are empowered to take part in the care and decision-making to the extent that they are comfortable and willing.
• Collaboration. Patients, families, health care providers, and health care leaders work together in shaping policies, the development, implementation and evaluation of programs, facility design, education and research efforts, as well as the delivery of care.

The Family Advisory Council is made up of parents in the community who are actively engaged and communicating with the hospital. FAC members identify the needs and priorities of patients and families by providing experience-based feedback to promote positive changes in the hospital and work on annual goals. It also encourage parents to become their child's #1 advocate through education and a fluid relationship with their care team. This empowers parents to ask questions and grow as they learn about their child's medical needs.

Responsibilities of the members of the FAC

• Provide a vital link between Nicklaus Children's Hospital and the families it serves.
• Provide feedback on delivery of services for all children and their families.
• Review issues and concerns referred to the Family Advisory Council and provide recommendations to the hospital.
• Participate in the development of guidelines and policies.
• Assist in the planning of new facilities and services.
• Volunteer to be on hospital committees and/or FAC projects.

Family Advisory Council Accomplishments

Amazing Patient Care

• Partnered on a Medication Compliance Follow-Up presentation, sharing caregiver-focused insights to strengthen adherence support. 
• Partnered with Pharmacy to develop/improve medication calendars, supporting clearer instructions and safer medication management at home. 
• Completed an Orthopedic Spine program walkthrough (please confirm full program and institute name), providing feedback on care flow and the family experience. 
• Partnered with the Heartbeat Program and Music Therapy to support family-centered engagement initiatives and strengthen the patient experience. 
• Contributed to menu and special diet transparency by providing input on ingredient listings and dietary needs communication. 
• Participated in an Adaptive Care Emergency Department (ED) walkthrough in collaboration with CARD, identifying opportunities to improve accessibility and the care environment. 
• Participated focus groups to provide the patient and family perspective during the planning for an education galley with Philips.  
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary focus group to provide feedback on the Vecta machine for adaptive care.  

Operational Excellence

• Maintained strong engagement through active FAC subcommittees, including: 
• Adaptive Care 
• Special Diets & Menu 
• Retail Updates 
• Design & Construction 
• Collaborated on the AskNick Showcase, contributing insight and partnership to support program visibility and impact. 
• Presented on behalf of the FAC at the Quarterly Updates, Insights & Performance Summary (QuIPS) Committee, highlighting FAC priorities and contributions. 
• Collaborated on the iPad Program, providing feedback to strengthen usability and family-facing value. 
• Provided collaboration and family perspective to the Pediatric Precision Sleep Network, offering feedback to help align efforts with patient and caregiver needs. 
• Actively supported patient safety initiatives, including participation in safety simulations and related improvement efforts. 
• Advanced emergency preparedness and safety by contributing feedback on enhanced emergency safety initiatives and wayfinding/signage. 
• Reviewed and provided feedback on the Code of Conduct, including content clarity and supporting graphics, to ensure accessibility and family-friendly communication. 
• Supported the launch of the Discharge Lounge by providing family feedback to improve workflow, comfort, and discharge-day experience. 
• Engaged in strategic organizational updates, including the Strategic Plan and Broward Health affiliation update, bringing forward the family perspective. 
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary focus group to provide feedback on the Vecta machine for adaptive care.  

Legacy Accomplishments

• Nursing Bedside Hand Off / Bedside Shift Report
• Collaborated to develop special diet menus and allergen icons, as a result F&N presented this initiative at national conference
• Provide feedback and guidance on the aspects of the construction, design, colors, finishes, and furniture for the Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower. 
• Developed Q.U.E.S.T. (tool that encourages families to ask questions regarding care)
• Have led activities for National Patient Safety Awareness Week
• Led the design of the Michael Fux Family Center 
• Participated in the design of the Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion 
• Serve as members of the Patient Safety Committee 
• Assisted in the development of the Ambulatory Surgery Information Card