Patient and Family Advisory Council

C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, shares information on how the region’s growth has driven development at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with members of the Medical Center’s patient and family advisory councils and advisory groups. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 20, 2024

Caregivers are acknowledged and supported through advisory councils’ initiative

Members of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s patient and family advisory councils — largely made up of individuals who are themselves caregivers — decided last year that “caring for the caregiver” would be the focus of a 15-member workgroup tasked with developing a plan to better assist caregivers.

By Jill Clendening
June 16, 2023

Some days Bill Moore wondered if he was actually helping the children in his care. Then patients’ families gave him a Patient and Family Choice Award.

He started with a career in marketing, moved to the music business, and has found his calling at Monroe Carell

By Christina Echegaray
June 1, 2023

Brenda Campbell lifts patients’ spirits with smiles, humor and genuine love

“I love people, I love helping, and I love what I do. Some of the patients who come don’t want to live. Some of them don’t have any support. I let them know, ‘Somebody loves you. You’re loved. You’re worthy of being loved. You’re so special and valued.”

By Danny Bonvissuto
May 30, 2023

Catherine Stober plays health care quarterback for generations of families

“Being a good doctor is meeting people where they are emotionally, physically, intellectually and helping your patient navigate this really complicated health care system that we have. I tell my patients I’m their quarterback and I’m here to help them figure out what the next step should be.”

By Nancy Humphrey
May 25, 2023

Small victories and success stories inspire Haley Sullivan to be a better nurse each and every shift

“As a nurse I always try to think about what I can do, even if it’s just something little that can make a difference to them, make them more comfortable, and keep them in the know about what’s going on with their situation.”

By Nancy Humphrey
May 23, 2023

First as a server, and now as a food and nutrition patient ambassador, Carla Moore cares for the same people twice

“Carla provided great care to my grandmother in her time of need. She made my grandmother feel comfortable and important. She was very nice and outgoing. We were always greeted with a smile from Carla, and she really did make a difference.”

By Danny Bonvissuto
June 3, 2022

Donna Butler-Rawson always greets patients with a smile and reassurance — especially important in her role in the electroconvulsive therapy program

Butler-Rawson earns inaugural Patient and Family Choice Award for Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
By Emily Stembridge
May 16, 2022

Sylvia Groth once commuted to work on cross country skis to keep an appointment with her patient. As a native Minnesotan, a little snow couldn’t stop her.

Her dedication earned her a Patient and Family Choice Award.
By Nancy Humphrey
May 9, 2022

“Miss Pam” recognized for her care and commitment to all her “babies” in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinic

Pam Spencer honored with inaugural Patient and Family Choice Award
By Jessica Pasley
August 5, 2021

Digital growth, improvements, vaccinations: Leadership Assembly takeaways

Vanderbilt University Medical Center completed its first full fiscal year of the COVID-19 era having achieved remarkable outcomes in digital health, growth and quality because of consistently strong performance from its workforce.
By Holly Fletcher
May 15, 2019

Workshop explores integrating behavioral care across institution

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, executive leaders, community partners and Patient and Family Advisory Council members gathered last week for a 1.5-day workshop focused on integrating behavioral health care across the institution.
By Kelsey Herbers
June 5, 2018

Doing his own colonoscopy made Christopher Lind a legend. But his commitment to patients and families is also legendary.

“The cultural change of having a respected, practicing physician serve as a Patient and Family Advisory Council member has been invaluable.”
By Leigh MacMillan
October 5, 2017

Ideas abound for fulfulling Patient and Family Promise

Beginning this week, the first of a series of six messages is being distributed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) employees highlighting ways to best fulfill the Vanderbilt Patient and Family Promise, a guiding principle that was created by patients and providers and adopted at VUMC in 2013.
By Jill Clendening
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