Patient Family Advisory Profiles

Dorr Depew
McLeod Patient Family Advisor

How long have you been a member of the Patient and Family Partnership Program?

I have been a member of the Patient and Family Partnership Program since 2019, following my participation in a focus group at McLeod Health Cheraw.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a Patient Family Advisor?

One of the most challenging things about being a Patient Family Advisor is maintaining objectivity and providing useful input to assist in evaluating programs and services while drawing from my personal experience with McLeod as a patient. Our patient experience is vital – it’s one of the main reasons we are PFAs — but we also need to take a step back and be sure we are evaluating objectively.

If you could choose one thing that staff should know about being a Patient Family Advisor, what would it be?

Patient Family Advisors play a unique role, acting as “informal evaluators” who are motivated by our connection with McLeod as patients or family members. We work with staff to provide a patient perspective and help improve services at all levels

What do you hope the future of the Patient and Family Partnership Program is for McLeod?
I hope the Patient and Family Partnership Program will grow in geographic reach and scope of work. McLeod covers a wide geographic area, and I hope we can build a group of PFAs who represent all of the communities we serve. I also look forward to working with staff in various departments to evaluate and improve services. That growth process has begun, and it’s exciting.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Patient Family Advisor?
I enjoy providing a patient’s perspective on various services and programs. It’s rewarding to see changes or improvements that have taken place as a result of our input as Patient Family Advisors.

Ken Feaster-Eytchison
McLeod Patient Family Advisory

Why is it important to you that diversity in patient voice and partnership is represented in the PFP program? Why should it be important to McLeod?

Health care is not  “one size fits all.” Different communities have different needs, and we all need to be heard, valued, respected, and supported. A patient should feel safe so they can communicate with their caregivers without fear of being judged or “othered.” Human dignity should always be among the top considerations when working with patients and their families. Navigating health care can be a difficult and often traumatic experience for some demographics.  In order for the PFP program to meet those needs, the program encourages the inclusion of a diverse slate of volunteers. The Pee Dee region is made up of a very diverse population; in order to provide care specific to those populations, we must understand those specific needs. 

What’s your hope for your impact on patient experience and care at McLeod Health?

As a PFA, I hope to partner in conversations of inclusion and help discuss the reasons that could make a patient/community have a great or poor experience with their healthcare provider. PFA’s can help improve the overall patient experience.

In what ways can PFA’s help healthcare providers better understand and meet the needs of patients and their families?

PFA’s help open conversations and understanding regarding how patient experience can differ from community to community. They provide important insight into the needs and struggles of the communities in which they are a part.

 

Kaylee Persson,
McLeod Patient Family Advisor

Being a new PFA, what has been the best part of the program so far?
As a new PFA, the best part of the program is being able to use my voice to create a change in healthcare. I appreciate the opportunity to bring my viewpoint to the discussion of patient experience and care. I enjoy knowing I am making a difference in the health of people my age and the needs of future patients.

Being both Gen Z and a PFA, what do you feel is most important for staff to know about healthcare for your generation?
I feel that it is important that healthcare is not a “one size fits all” concept. Patient care varies for each person and the differences need to be talked about more frequently. Different people need certain things in order to thrive and feel better. As the world is changing there are new health issues arising and people desire innovative care.

What kind of impact do you want to make as a PFA?
I want to make a positive impact on those who utilize healthcare services and those who will use them in the future. As someone who is going into the healthcare field, I see value in listening to the community’s voice and putting their ideas into action. I hope to make an impact on the future of McLeod’s care for young people. I hope that PFA’s will continue to encourage our providers to focus more on patient care rather than just science and numbers.

If you could choose five words about the importance of patient and family partnership, what would they be?
Evolving, impactful, crucial, equitable, and synergistic.

If you are interested in becoming a McLeod PFA, click Apply Now button below, or please email Shannon.Haney@mcleodhealth.org.