Family Advisory Councils: Be Not Afraid!

was presented by Amanda Choudhary, Cindy Warnick, and Diann Folkersen on October 1, 2015.

Amanda Choudhary, MHA, FACHE is the Administrative Director of Family Support Services at Primary Children’s Hospital, part of Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah. Amanda oversees 12 departments and programs, including medical social work, child life, language services, volunteer services, and palliative care.  She also serves as a liaison to the hospital’s Parent Advisory and Patient Advisory Councils.  Amanda’s experience includes over 10 years in hospital administration where she has worked in patient- and family-centered care, support services, emergency services, air medical transport, outreach coordination, clinic management, and project management.  Amanda completed her Masters of Health Administration and Masters of Arts in Human Resource Management degrees at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.   She also completed a two-year administrative fellowship at University of Wisconsin Hospitals & Clinics and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Cindy Warnick is the Family Advisor Liaison and Parent Resource/Support Coordinator at Primary Children’s Hospital and has worked at the hospital for over eighteen years., with the last nine in Family Support Services.In this role, Cindy oversees the Patient/Family Advisory Council and works with families and staff to enhance family-centered care throughout the hospital. She also works as the Family Resource Coordinator and her background includes experience in Pediatric Education Services.  Ms. Warnick received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Brigham Young University.

Diann Folkersen is the mother of four children, one of whom is a Leukemia Survivor. Her child’s treatment began July of 2005 and follow up continues today.  Over the past decade, Diann has spent many hours at Primary Children’s Hospital with her child for in patient and out-patient visits and now as a member of the family advisory council.  Diann has served on the Patient and Family Advisory Council since 2008, and was Chair of the Council from 2012-2014.  She has served as a Parent Adviser on the Family Support Services Leadership Team, Facility Design Committee, Family Support Services Coordination Committee, and the Nurse in Residency and Medical Student Training Committees.  Ms. Folkersen earned her Bachelors of Arts from the University of Utah in Psychology and Spanish.  She is very involved in her community as well.

At the end of the session, each participant will:

• Identify the value of Family Councils.
• List the first steps to create a new Family Council.
• Describe two ways to optimize the effectiveness of an existing Family Council.
• Recognize pitfalls to avoid when working with a Family Council.
• Identify healthcare industry best practices regarding Family Council collaboration.

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