Neonatal Family Advisory Council at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital

About the Neonatal Family Advisory Council

The Neonatal Family Advisory Council (NFAC) at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital supports the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The group works together to help plan and evaluate hospital services, improve quality and safety, and advocate for family-centered care. Having an NFAC that includes families and caregivers as well as NICU workers, truly allows families to have a seat at the table where these topics are being discussed. We commit to working together as a team to make the NICU a better place for everyone.

The NFAC aims to help by:

• Sharing what worked well for your family in the NICU and what might help other families.
• Collaborating with NICU leaders and staff on ways to make care easier and more welcoming.
• Participating in kind, open talks about how the NICU works and how to make the experience smoother for families.
• Supporting families by offering the parents’ point of view when new projects or programs are planned.
• Educating staff and leaders about what helps parents feel calm, informed and included.
• Working together so babies and families feel safe, comforted and cared for.

Member Requirements

Members must be:

• Family members with experience in the NICU at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital within the last 3 years

In addition, members should be:

• Comfortable speaking and working in a group
• Able to generalize their own experiences and provide constructive feedback
• Committed to improving care for all patients and family members
• Respectful of the collaborative process and the NFAC as the forum to discuss issues

Your Commitment as a Member

Members must:

• Attend a volunteer orientation
• Serve a two-year term (you may be able to serve a second term depending on the NFAC’s needs)
• Follow privacy requirements
• Attend quarterly meetings

How to Apply

Please fill out this form. We will contact you to schedule a short call with one of the NFAC’s sponsors.

Thank you for your interest in helping us provide better care for the patients and families we serve.