Partnering for Improvement
Published March 7, 2017
Kathy Denton, Ph.D., Associate Director Patient Experience, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Barbara Shelton, MS, Quality Improvement Education Consultant, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Partnering for Improvement is an education session that provides Patient and Family Advisors the skills and tools needed to be an effective improvement team member. Including the patient voice is important when initiating new processes, design, and policies as well as when making improvements. This session includes the educational components included in our Patient and Family Advisor education. To be a successful team member, this session provides our Advisors an understanding of the relationship between safety, quality, and patient experience. It educates advisors on the stages of team development and keys to good team member communication skills, and it reviews the key improvement tools used in most improvement projects.
Related content
-
Environment & Hospitality | Patient Family & Community Engagement
Transforming the Inpatient Hold Experience Through Partnership
Published April 7, 2026
Discover how collaboration and innovation improved the experience of patients holding in the Emergency Department at Tampa General Hospital. Through PFAC partnership, guest services rounding, volunteer engagement, and technology enhancements, this initiative elevated comfort, communication, and care coordination. Attendees will gain replicable tools to improve experiences in nontraditional care settings. Speakers -Amy Matthews, Manager of
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
PFAC Series – PX Chat: Starting a PFAC
Published October 1, 2025

12pm ET / 11am CT / 10am MT / 9am PT – Learn the foundational steps to create a strong and effective PFAC, from defining purpose and recruiting members to setting up structures for meaningful collaboration. Join us for a three-part interactive virtual series designed to help healthcare organizations start, strengthen, and sustain Patient and Family
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement | Staff & Provider Engagement
Connecting Compassion for Patients with Health Care Worker Wellbeing
Published July 29, 2025
This webinar will explore: understanding who patients are, what they need, and how compassion can be shown; research on the benefits of compassionate care for patients and providers; and practical communication skills to avoid common pitfalls that increase suffering. By reconnecting healthcare workers with the “why” of their roles, we can enhance patient experience and
Learn more