Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare to all patients in the Carle health system. Participation in our Patient and Family Advisory Councils ensures open feedback from those we serve.
Patient and Family Advisory Councils make a difference every day by partnering with Carle to transform the way we deliver care to our patients by providing a forum for your voice to be heard and understood.
Are you a Carle health system patient or patient family member? If so, we would appreciate your thoughts on ways to improve the patient experience.
What is a Patient and Family Advisory Council?
A Patient and Family Advisory Council gives patients and families a voice in the planning, delivery and evaluation of our departments and services. Each council partners directly with a specific service or department to provide oversight and guidance. Councils consist of eight to twelve volunteers who meet quarterly, usually in the afternoon or early evenings.
Approximately 80 advisors are currently collaborating with our staff, clinicians and leaders to improve the patient experience at all Carle locations.
Carle Health System has Advisory Councils for the following areas:
Responsibilities of Council Members Include:
Why Become a Council Member?
We need patients and family members to share their experiences to continue improving the Carle Experience for others. Council members know that their input is truly making a difference for our patients, helping us achieve greater efficiency and better practice models throughout our facilities.
You can make a difference in the lives of others and make someone’s journey to health just a little bit easier.
Projects & Improvements that Patient and Family Advisory Councils have had a part in:
Q: What is the primary goal of the Advisory Councils?
A: To partner with patients and their family members to get real feedback and improve the quality of care we deliver. We want constructive input only patients and family members can provide to help with decision-making and improvement efforts.
Q: What are the qualities you seek in your council members?
A: We are seeking people who are comfortable sharing their experiences with our health system in an honest manner while working with people from different backgrounds, and respecting other members that may not share the same point of view. We seek diverse membership on our councils to represent all our patients.
Q: What is the time commitment for joining a council?
A: Patient and family advisors are expected to attend quarterly two-hour meetings in-person. There may be additional opportunities to participate in surveys, phone conversations and brief meetings to provide feedback and input.
Q: Who can become a member of an Advisory Council?
A: Advisors are selected to represent the many different types of patients and families who receive care from Carle. We encourage all our patients to apply, especially those that have seen and experienced a wide range of hospital and clinic services. We also encourage patients of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds to apply, including teenagers and young adults.
Q: Where do meetings take place?
A: Meeting location will vary depending on the council. All councils determine their own meeting times and dates.
To be a part of one of our advisory councils, you must be willing to serve a 12-18 month term. You must be an active Carle health system patient or a family member of a patient who receives care from us. You should be comfortable speaking and sharing ideas in a small group.
To inquire about joining a council, or to discuss other opportunities, please contact us at 217-383-4122 or email carle.experience@carle.com. For more information on the Pekin council, please email patient.advocates@carle.com.
You may also apply by completing either the online application , or print and mail the hard copy application. You can also reach us by mail at the following address:
Carle Experience
Attn: Patient & Family Councils
611 W. Park St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801