--- title: "Patient and Family Advisory Councils at Sutter Health" description: "Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) are volunteers who work in partnership with leaders, care providers and staff to collaborate on ways of improving the patient and family experience at Sutter Health." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources) / 3. Patient and Family Advisory Councils # Patient and Family Advisory Councils at Sutter Health **Section menu** - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics Services") - [Bioethics Team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics Team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and Events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and Events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language Assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language Assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records Planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records Planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician Information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient Information") - [Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information") - [Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services") - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics Services") - [Bioethics Team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics Team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and Events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and Events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language Assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language Assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records Planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records Planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician Information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient Information") - [Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information") - [Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services") Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) are volunteers who work in partnership with leaders, care providers and staff to collaborate on ways of improving the patient and family experience at Sutter Health. Our goal is to deliver a positive care experience that involves listening, understanding needs, and offering guidance in a nurturing and respectful way. ![mom-with-daughter-on-back-laughing-outside](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/family/mom-with-daughter-on-back-laughing-outside.jpg) Patient and Family Advisory Council opportunities ## Become an Advisor Sutter Health is partnering with Patient and Family Advisors to enhance the patient experience. We’re looking for patients or family members who’ve received care at Sutter Health or another healthcare system in the past five years to volunteer. If you're passionate about sharing your experience and improving care for future patients, we’d love to hear from you [Apply now](http://feedback.sutterhealth.org/f/138644/1969/) [Email us](mailto:ExpCarePatientFamAdv@sutterhealth.org) ![nicu-nurse](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/nicu-nurse.jpg?h=1412&iar=0&w=2122) ## Sutter Family Advisory Council (FAC) A partnership between Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento’s NICU staff and parents who are passionate and committed to supporting NICU babies and their families. Inspired by our personal NICU experience, we return to help guide you through yours. [Call us](tel:+9168870852) ![nicu-nurse](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/nicu-nurse.jpg?h=1412&iar=0&w=2122) Frequently asked questions **Who are Patient and Family Advisors?** Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) are volunteers who work in partnership with leaders, care providers and staff to collaborate on ways of improving the patient and family experience at Sutter Health. Advisors share their experiences and unique perspectives to help us identify areas where we are doing well and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. Specific activities may include: - Providing input on practices and policies that patients and families find meaningful and useful in helping them be active partners in their care. - Sharing insight to provide a fuller picture of the care experience than standard patient and family satisfaction surveys provide. Helping identify and implement ways to improve care quality, safety and experience for all patients and families. **Who can become a Patient and Family Advisor?** - Any patient who has received care in the last five years. - Family members whose loved one has received care in the last five years are also invited to participate. - Advisors should be available to volunteer four or more hours per month. - Advisors should be able to share their perspectives, experiences and suggestions in a variety of settings. - Advisors need to have the ability to see beyond their personal experiences and respect the diversity of differing opinions. **What is the online Patient and Family Advisory Community?** The Online Patient & Family Advisory (PFA) Community is a group of volunteers who help shape the future of health offerings and the patient experience at Sutter Health in an easy and time effective way by filling out focused topic surveys on a periodic basis. These online surveys may include asking for specific input or feedback on digital health services such as telehealth, patient safety and disease prevention education, initiatives to help improve the patient and family experience, and many more! Volunteers simply sign up to receive emails that contain surveys to fill out based on the health topics that they are interested in. The time commitment is up to 10 minutes a month and signing up is as easy as filling out the following form. [Join the online community](https://feedback.sutterhealth.org/f/151535/4402/) Related video Sutter Health holds patient family advisor summits to learn from families. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Patient and Family Advisory Councils at Sutter Health","description":"Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) are volunteers who work in partnership with leaders, care providers and staff to collaborate on ways of improving the patient and family experience at Sutter Health. ","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patient resources","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Patient and Family Advisory Councils"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Patient Family Advisor Summits","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/6e36a96a-dd77-45e5-8001-a580f4a42e11/bde03ed6-71d8-4d5a-ae85-9b39df335eba/640x360/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2018-08-08T19:50:54.878Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=5819640901001","description":"Sutter Health holds patient family advisor summits to learn from families.","duration":"PT1M41S","transcript":"ANNA KIGER: These summits are an opportunity for us\nto bring together a small collection of patient family\nadvisor members to give them an overview of Sutter\nHealth at a larger scope and to introduce to them individuals\nlike Dr. Bill Isenberg, who is leading our journey to be\na high reliable organization.\nWILLIAM ISENBERG: We want our patients\nto be equally empowered to speak up about opportunities\nto enhance safety, because they see things\nvery differently than we do, and they\ncan help us be even more effective at mitigating\nthe risks we face.\nROBERTA MORI: In these sessions we really work on networking,\nsharing best practices.\nWe'll be highlighting some of the great work done\nat certain councils across the organization.\nIt's a communal event.\nWe have also invited participants\nfrom our other neighboring hospitals,\nso this makes this more of a community effort.\nIt's about, how do we help our patients navigate health care\nas an entity?\nLINDSEY BOURNE: Bringing together all\nof the patient family advisors, leaders, and staff\nto truly learn from each other, see what each other is doing.\nEspecially the advisors, being able to feel that kind of sense\nof community among themselves.\nThey're not alone in their roles,\nand they can learn with each other\nand learn more about the organization as well.\nI think even just seeing that and celebrating\nthat can really change the rest of the organization."} ```