Our annual report highlights the incredible strides we've made in growing our culture of patient and family-centered care at Allina Health.
By working with patient and family advisors, we're improving the experience of all who entrust us with their care.
Patient and Family Partnership Program
As a patient or family member, you can become an advisor and provide your input and feedback to help shape the way Allina Health delivers care.
If you are interested in being an advisor, please fill out the online form and follow the submission instructions at the end. A member of the patient experience team will follow up with you.
Who are advisors?
If you are at least 18 years old, have been an Allina Health patient or family member of a patient in the last two years, we want to hear about your experience.
How advisors participate
A member of the patient experience team will contact you to determine the best way for you to participate based on your experience and background.
There are several ways to participate:
- Advisory council: This is an in-person, quarterly meeting of patients and family members who have experienced a variety of care settings across Allina Health.
- Focus groups: These are in-person or virtual meetings held as needed. Focus groups will provide feedback on topics related to selected medical conditions.
- Virtual feedback: When there is a need for timely, topic-specific feedback, patients and family members can participate via email conversations, phone interviews or online surveys.
- Committee participation and panels: When patient and family participation is needed on an ongoing basis, these advisors will be invited to join committees. When the voices of patients and families are needed for meetings, conferences or programs, these advisors will be invited to present their stories either individually or as part of a panel.
A thank you message to PFPP advisors from Penny Wheeler, CEO.
This is an opportunity to have direct input about all Allina Health existing services and care delivery as well as ideas and improvements for the future.
A good advisor will possess these abilities and skills:
- Listens to differing opinions and share different points of view.
- Displays a positive and supportive attitude toward the mission of Allina Health.
- Shares information as well as insights from their experiences.
- Sees beyond their own personal experiences.
- Collaborates with diverse individuals in a group setting.
- Shows concern for more than one issue or agenda.
- Respects the perspectives of others.
- Speaks honestly, comfortably in a group.
- Works in close partnership with others.
- Maintains confidentiality.
There is not a specific time commitment. Because of the different ways that advisors can provide input, ranging from topic-specific virtual feedback to quarterly meetings, the time commitment will vary.
The frequency of contact with advisors will depend on the type of feedback needed (such as topic-specific) and number of available advisors for certain demographics (such as age).
You may be contacted by your preferred method, either phone or email.
When we meet face-to-face to gather input, and the location of the meeting is at Allina Health Commons or another location which involves a parking fee, advisors will be compensated for this cost. In addition, if the advisor uses Metro Transit or Metro Mobility services they will be reimbursed for the cost to travel to and from the meeting. A light meal will also be provided for in-person meetings.
Since the advisor role is completely voluntary, you may end your commitment at any time by contacting one of the members of the patient experience team at Allina Health. When you are contacted by a patient experience team member, just let them know that you are no longer available to participate.