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Family Advisory Council

At Kosair Children’s Hospital, we know that a hospital isn't just a building. It is also the people within that building working together to heal our precious children. The Family Advisory Council is looking for members who wish to share in the healing process.

Share Our Goals

  • Children (patients) should be provided with the highest quality care and the opportunity for continuing improvement of their health.
  • Strive to be sensitive to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our multicultural community.
  • We encourage an environment that creates, evaluates and helps apply an exchange of information between patients/families and staff.
  • We seek to provide the tools that support both families and individuals by identifying opportunities, initiating self-learning and persevering to improve health.

Common experience

Members of the council all share a common experience – concern for a child who spent time at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Some have a chronic illness that brings them back again and again while others have only had a short stay. Members come from diverse backgrounds drawn from throughout the region. Regardless of your background, you are welcome at the Family Advisory Council.

Why should I become a member?

  • Illness of a child can leave the caregiver feeling helpless. The Family Advisory Council (FAC) provides family members of patients at Kosair Children’s Hospital a powerful voice for positive change within the hospital system.
  • The council enables family members to take an active role in the development of programs that directly impact patients at
  • Kosair Children’s Hospital. Members are a resource to guide the hospital’s priorities and planning.
  • Members can find camaraderie and support with others who have been personally touched by illness or injury of a child.
  • Members can use their personal experiences with a sick or injured child to help educate medical staff on ways to make hospital experiences as positive as possible.
  • Parents, relatives, caregivers, doctors, nurses and hospital staff from otherwise diverse backgrounds can become partners in care dedicated to promoting excellence at Kosair Children’s Hospital.

Members’ responsibilities

  • Be an active participant in council activities.
  • Prepare for and attend monthly meetings.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality.
  • Solicit and identify family needs and concerns.
  • Publicly support Kosair Children’s Hospital.
  • Notify co-chair if unable to attend meeting.
  • Consider serving on other hospital committees as asked.
  • Maintain an ability to address the health care issues of all families.
  • Participate in formulation and evaluation of the council’s yearly plan.

Family Advisory Council members do not have fundraising responsibilities.

How to become a member of the Kosair Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council

  • Let us know you are interested by calling the “Just for Kids” line at (502) 629-KIDS or (800) 852-1770, and one of our council members will contact you with additional information.
  • Contact one of our members to discuss the council and how it may be the right volunteer opportunity for you. 
    Mary Lynne Shackelford, R.N., clinical manager, neonatal intensive care unit
    Teresa Munson, R.N., clinical manager, Cancer Institute and Renal Center
    Laura Cummins, R.N., clinical manager, medical/surgical units
  • Attend one of our meetings to get firsthand knowledge of what the FAC is all about.

Vision statement

We are a council of families, physicians, staff members and caregivers who endeavor to bring hope to all those who enter our doors. Through shared experiences and wisdom, we will strive to bring understanding and compassion coupled with trust to empower those who need us most.

Mission statement

Kosair Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council is dedicated to improving the health of children by providing a clear channel of communication and acting as an advisory resource to strengthen the bond between medical professionals and our families and patients. We will strive to foster care centered on the family through the exchange of knowledge, focusing on those areas in which we can make the greatest contribution.

Values

  • Family focused   
  • Communication, collaboration and teamwork
  • Leadership and accountability
  • Quality, integrity, advocacy