Mercyhealth to expand Patient and Family Advisory Council program seeking community participation

The Mercyhealth Patient Experience department is expanding its Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) program to additional Mercyhealth locations beginning in fall 2026. Building on the success of Mercyhealth Hospital-Freeport's PFAC, the councils will give patients and caregivers a voice in improving the care experience throughout Mercyhealth.

Research shows that PFACs can improve both clinical and operational outcomes and enhance patient experiences. The Freeport PFAC has demonstrated the value of patient and family feedback. Over the past three years, council members have provided input on more than 65 projejcts, helping improve workflows, patient education materials and community programs.

"Each community is unique," said Jennifer Johnson, Director of Patient Experience. "PFACs help us better understand the barriers patients and families face and identify practical solutions based on their lived experiences. This is about engaging with our communities. We want to understand what is working, what is not, and how we can improve from a patient or caregiver perspective. We want our communities to know we are partners in their health and that we value their feedback."

Mercyhealth is now recruiting community members from the Janesville and Rockford areas to serve on the new councils, which are slated to start meeting in the fall of 2026. Applicants must have received care at Mercyhealth, live in the region, be at least 18 years old, and be willing to share solution-focused feedback.

Interested applicants can apply online or email Aby Breed at [email protected].