The Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at Cooley Dickinson Hospital is comprised of patients and family members who have the desire to use their experience and skills to help the hospital in a number of ways, such as serving on the council or in other advisory roles.

According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), "health care that is truly patient-centered considers patients' cultural traditions, their personal preferences and values, their family situations, and their lifestyles. Patient-centered care makes the patient and their loved ones an integral part of the care team who collaborate with health care professions in making clinical decisions."

At Cooley Dickinson, patient-centered care is a philosophy of providing care that encourages partnerships between patients, families, and health care providers. It also recognizes the importance of patient participation in the delivery of care at all levels of the organization, and this model emphasizes the strengths, priorities, and preferences that are unique to each patient.

Cooley Dickinson thanks its current council members for their contributions and commitment to patient-centered care. Current members include Sara Aierstuck, Edgar Cancel, Jeff Caplan, Mary Ann Cofrin, David Cohen, Dianne Cutillo, co-chair, Ellie Frasier, Robin Kline, Yechiael Lander, Jim Lomastro, Elvira Loncto, Laurel Milberg, Emily Nagoski, Donna O'Meally, Don Reutener, Don Robinson, Jeanne Ryan, David Stevens, co-chair, Pip Stromgren, and Barbara Williams.

PFAC also welcomes suggestions from the community about how to improve patient and family services at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Please address your comments to: Public Affairs, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060-5001 or email: Public_Affairs@cooley-dickinson.org.

PFAC annual reports appear below:

Annual Report 2012.pdf 

2011_PFAC_Annual_Report_final [pdf]

2010_PFAC_Annual_Report [pdf]

PFAC Annual Report 2009 [pdf]