Patient Family & Community Engagement | Patient and Care Partners

Amplifying Patient Voices: The Voices of Experience Podcast at Tampa General Hospital

Published January 12, 2025

Amplifying Patient Voices: The Voices of Experience Podcast at Tampa General Hospital

By Amber Washington

At Tampa General Hospital, we believe every patient and family has a story worth sharing that hold the power to transform healthcare. That is why we created the Voices of Experience Podcast, an inspiring platform to amplify these voices, foster collaboration, and advance the conversation about patient-centered care.

What Is the Voices of Experience Podcast?

The Voices of Experience Podcast is an initiative of Tampa General Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), a diverse group of patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the patient experience. Each episode dives into authentic, heartfelt stories from patients, families, and healthcare leaders, highlighting the triumphs, challenges, and transformative moments that define the healthcare journey.

The podcast is produced by Coming Alive Podcast Production and led by producer Vincent A. Lanci, whose expertise ensures the stories are captured and shared with professionalism and purpose.

Mission, Vision, and Values

The Voices of Experience Podcast is deeply rooted in the PFAC’s mission and vision:

  • Mission: To passionately advocate for communication and collaboration between patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare providers to promote an exceptional patient experience.
  • Vision: To continuously elevate the patient experience through the delivery of the highest standards of compassionate, comprehensive care.

Voices of Experience Podcast: Season 1

Season 1 of the Voices of Experience Podcast highlights the power of personal narratives in transforming healthcare. From stories of resilience and advocacy to reflections on how patient input shapes hospital care, these episodes inspire us to see the human side of medicine. You can listen to the full season on our website.

Season 1 Episodes

  1. Welcome to the Voices of Experience Podcast
  2. Leaders of the Women’s Institute and Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital
  3. Championing Accessibility: A Conversation with Justin Stark, ADA Coordinator at Tampa General Hospital
  4. Behind the Scenes: A Look Back at the First Episodes of the Voices of Experience Podcast
  5. Advisor vs Volunteer: Understanding the Difference and Their Impact on Patient Care
  6. Weathering the Storm: Tampa General Hospital’s Unwavering Support for Patients During Hurricanes
  7. From Theme Park to Treatment Plan: Advisor Matthew Peeples’ Unforeseen Journey to Tampa General Hospital
  8. From Patient to Advisor: A Father’s Strength and a Son’s Resilience in the Fight Against COVID-19
  9. Empowering Patient Voices: Tampa General Hospital Leaders Engage the PFAC to Drive Meaningful Change
  10. Behind the Scenes: A Look Back at the Latest Episodes of the Voices of Experience Podcast
  11. Patient-Centered Care Beyond the Clinic: Financial Assistance Resources at TGH
  12. Transforming Care Through Patient Voices: The PFAC Legacy at TGH — Season 1 Finale

A Look Ahead: Season 2 Coming This Spring!

We are thrilled to announce that Season 2 of the Voices of Experience Podcast will launch in Spring 2025! This season will spotlight the PFAC’s impact on quality and performance improvement initiatives across Tampa General Hospital. Through powerful storytelling and practical insights, we will explore how PFAC members help drive meaningful changes in healthcare practices, policies, and outcomes.

The stories we share today have the power to inspire change tomorrow. Every episode is a step toward improving healthcare, and we’re grateful for you joining us on this journey.

You can listen to the Voices of Experience Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or on our website.

So until next time, let’s keep the conversation going. – Amber Washington, Host

Images from Behind-the-Scenes:

Leaders of the Women’s Institute and Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital Amanda Holbrook, Director, Patient Services for the Women’s Institute Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator Michael Parsons, Director, Strategic Operations, Muma Children’s Hospital and Women’s Institute
Championing Accessibility: A Conversation with Justin Stark, ADA Coordinator at Tampa General Hospital Justin Stark, ADA Coordinator Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator
Behind the Scenes: A Look Back at the First Episodes of the Voices of Experience Podcast Vincent A. Lanci, Producer, Advisor, PFAC
From Theme Park to Treatment Plan: Advisor Matthew Peeples’ Unforeseen Journey to Tampa General Hospital Matthew Peeples, Advisor, PFAC Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator
From Patient to Advisor: A Father’s Strength and a Son’s Resilience in the Fight Against COVID-19 Randy Chambers, Advisor, PFAC Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator Andrew Chambers, Chair and Advisor, PFAC
Empowering Patient Voices: Tampa General Hospital Leaders Engage the PFAC to Drive Meaningful Change Kristin Maier, Director, Patient Relations Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator Amy Matthews, Manager, Patient Experience
Patient-Centered Care Beyond the Clinic: Financial Assistance Resources at TGH Betsy Delgado, Financial Assistance Specialist II Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator
Transforming Care Through Patient Voices: The PFAC Legacy at TGH — Season 1 Finale Kristen Kellar, Manager, Patient and Family Engagement Amber Washington, Patient Advisory Coordinator Lara Klick, VP, Chief Patient Experience Officer

About the Author
Amber Washington serves as the Patient Advisory Coordinator at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), where she has been deeply committed to enhancing patient-centered care since joining in November 2022. Focused on excellence, innovation, and amplifying the patient voice, Amber plays a pivotal role in recruiting, training, and retaining over 70 patient and family advisors, ensuring the success of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). She also acts as an internal consultant, guiding organizational leaders and departments by helping integrate patient and family perspective into quality and patient experience initiatives. 

Amber’s diverse background, which includes experience in both healthcare as a civilian and an U.S. Air Force Reserve Medical Service Corp officer, has honed her expertise in patient care, leadership, and quality improvement. This unique blend of skills and experience allows her to approach her role with a well-rounded perspective, driving continuous progress and fostering meaningful change within the PFAC at TGH.

Related content