Patient & Family Engagement Council
At Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, your voice matters.
Your experiences help shape the care we provide today and the care we deliver in the future. Through our Patient & Family Engagement Program, community members partner with our team to improve quality, safety, communication, and the overall patient experience.
Together, we can strengthen healthcare for our entire community.
Patient & Family Engagement FAQs
What Is a Patient & Family Advisor?
A Patient & Family Advisor is someone who partners with our hospital to improve care for all patients and families.
Advisors:
- Provide feedback based on their own experiences as a patient or family member
- Help us identify opportunities to enhance quality, safety, and communication
- Collaborate with hospital leaders, clinicians, and staff on improvement initiatives
- Participate in short-term projects or ongoing advisory roles
- Volunteer approximately 1–4 hours per month
No healthcare background is required — your experience and perspective are what matter most.
Why Become an Advisor?
Have you or a loved one received care at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in the past two years?
- Did you notice something that worked exceptionally well?
- Did you see opportunities where we could improve?
- Do you want to help ensure the best possible care for other families in our region?
Patient & Family Advisors help us create meaningful improvements that directly impact patient care and community health.
Your voice can help guide change.
Who Can Participate?
You may be eligible to serve as a Patient & Family Advisor if:
- You or a family member received care at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital within the last two years
- You are willing to share your experiences respectfully and constructively
- You are committed to helping improve care for others
We provide orientation and support — no special qualifications are needed.
How Advisors Make an Impact
As a Patient & Family Advisor, you may:
Share Your Story
Provide insight into your healthcare experience to help staff better understand the patient perspective.
Participate in Discussion Groups
Offer feedback about hospital processes and suggest improvements.
Review Patient Materials
Help improve forms, discharge instructions, educational handouts, and other materials to ensure they are clear and easy to understand.
Collaborate on Improvement Projects
Partner with staff on specific initiatives — such as enhancing patient communication, redesigning spaces, or improving care transitions.
Some of our recent projects included:
- The File of Life program reimplementation. File of Life packets are available upon request and were distributed at the Health Fair, during Patient Safety Week, and at Fall Prevention classes.
- Assisted with the design of the Presurgical Post-Op Needs Assessment
- Provided ongoing feedback from the community on the patient portal, phone tree, admission packet, patient dietary menu, and patient access to care.
- Implemented The Community Falls Prevention Class in July 2025. Some PFACC members received training from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) Falls program. Classes are held quarterly at the hospital and local senior center locations.
Serve on the Patient & Family Advisory Council
Work alongside hospital leadership and staff to guide quality and safety initiatives across the organization.
Is Being a Patient & Family Advisor Right for You?
Patient & Family Advisors are individuals who:
- Feel comfortable speaking up and offering thoughtful suggestions
- Can share both positive and challenging experiences constructively
- Look beyond their own experience to consider broader improvements
- Respect diverse perspectives
- Maintain confidentiality
- Bring a positive, solution-focused attitude
If this sounds like you, we would love to connect.
Become a Patient & Family Advisor in Manistique, MI
To learn more or express your interest in becoming a Patient & Family Advisor, please contact:
Kena Nicholson
Quality Coordinator
Phone: (906) 341-3758
Email: knicholson@scmh.org
Your partnership helps ensure Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital continues to deliver compassionate, high-quality care — right here at home.
