Join a Patient & Family Advisory Council

Woman speaking to group at an advisory council meeting.

What Is an Advisory Council?

Since 2015, Samaritan Health Services has worked with patients, families and caregivers through our Patient & Family Advisory Councils.

These councils play a vital role in advancing our goal of zero harm — a commitment to eliminating preventable harm and ensuring the safest possible care for every patient, every time. By sharing personal experiences and perspectives, our volunteer advisors help us identify opportunities for improvement and co-design solutions that truly reflect the needs of our communities.

PFACs include current and former patients, family members and caregivers. They meet at minimum once a month, either in person or online. Joining a PFAC is a great way to make a difference and help improve health care in your community.

Patient Advisory Council Membership

Roles & Responsibilities

Patients and their families are important members of their care team and offer valuable feedback and unique perspectives about their health care experience. Learn more about what it’s like serving on a PFAC.

  • Engage in respectful and effective communication with fellow advisors and Samaritan staff.
  • Improve quality, patient safety and health outcomes.
  • Co-create the patient experience.
  • Connect the voice of the community directly to our health system.
  • Transform feedback into action.

  • Review and provide insight on patient education materials, policies and practices.
  • Participate in group discussions to help Samaritan improve care, quality, safety, services and patient experience.
  • Serve on quality improvement workgroups to include the perspective of patients and their families.
  • Share experiences from across Samaritan’s health system.

  • Respecting and honoring patient and family perspectives, choices and needs.
  • Encouraging and supporting patients and their families to participate in their care and decision-making.
  • Providing complete, clear and accurate information, communication and education.
  • Working “with” patients and families rather than doing “to” or “for them.”

Patient Input Is Valuable

“Best practices in patient and family involvement show that engaging patients and their families in meaningful ways improves services, makes service delivery more responsive to the needs of families and ultimately saves resources. Strong family involvement can lead to better service delivery and improved health outcomes.”
– National Institute for Children’s Health Quality

Man listening attentively to another volunteer at an advisory council meeting.

Interested in Joining a Council?

New patient and family volunteer advisors are welcome! Samaritan has councils for each of our five communities with opportunities to serve. Please use the email link below if you have questions or are interested in joining a PFAC near you!

Please include:

  • Your first and last name.
  • The community where you wish to serve: Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Lincoln City or Newport.
  • The best way to contact you: do you prefer email, text or a phone call?
Submit Your Interest
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