BROKEN BOW, Neb. – Melham Medical Center is relaunching its Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), an initiative aimed at strengthening the connection between hospital staff and the community they serve. The hospital is inviting individuals to help shape patient experiences by offering their perspectives as past patients or family members of patients.
An informational meeting will take place Tuesday from 5:15 to 5:45 PM at the Broken Bow Library. All are welcome to attend, and volunteers can sign up during the meeting. Those interested can also apply by scanning the QR code on the circulating flyer or by visiting Melham.org. Applications are due by August 15. Those with questions can contact Beth Lehmkuhler at 308-872-4182.
PFAC members will act as a “bridge” between the hospital and the community, participating in monthly meetings and rounding with staff to observe and suggest ways to improve care environments and communication.
“To engage more with the community, get the community’s perspective on what needs can be met more and also to be an advocate for the community members,” said Melham’s Molly Pandorf, explaining the vision behind the restart. “Sometimes we can’t see the forest because of the trees. So an outside perspective is really good to help us improve.”
During previous iterations of the program, patient advisors made notable changes in areas like emergency room signage and communication improvements.
“We did do a lot of changes like in the ER that was definitely influenced by our advisors,” Pandorf shared. “If a volunteer thinks, ‘Oh, I would never be able to make a difference,’ you really do make a difference.”
The hospital is seeking 3 to 5 community volunteers who have received care at Melham or have had family members receive care there in the past three to five years. While there are no strict requirements, candidates should bring thoughtful insight and a desire to improve patient care.
“We’re really looking for positive feedback. And so if you’re a positive person, you’re upbeat, you want to get out there and make some changes, we’re really looking for you,” added Pam Spencer.
The advisory council term is expected to last two to three years. Pandorf and Spencer emphasized they’ll work around volunteers’ schedules and offer perks such as lunch and flexible meeting times.
Informational meeting attendees on Tuesday will learn more about PFAC’s structure, expectations, and the meaningful ways their voices can influence care at Melham.
“It would be impactful. We do rely very much on the community’s opinions. We don’t just do it and then never pay attention to it again. We do take those into consideration and implement [them]. They will have follow-up meetings on the things that we’ve done to change according to that feedback,” said Pandorf.
