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The Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT) includes 165 family doctors and more than 250 other health care professionals providing team-based care to patients at over 90 locations in the Hamilton area.
In 2019, the HFHT made a commitment to form a Patient and Family Advisory Group (PFG) to make sure that the voices of patients and families are heard, considered and included in patient care. The group will give members an opportunity to share their experiences, insights and opinions with a goal of improving care to better meet the needs of patients and families.
Meet the Patient and Family Advisors
Maria Antelo
“I am a community builder seeking interactions built on respect, trust, honesty and joy. I blend these values to advance the cultivation of collaborative environments and spark action for greater impact. I've navigated the health system both as a patient and an advocate for marginalized populations and witnessed how these health gaps have a negative impact on their health and therefore in our community. I hope to bring this experience with an anti-racism anti-oppression framework to this group.”
Anna DiFrancesco
“I am an educator with 30 years' experience in publicly-funded education. Much of my career has been supporting the needs of children with special needs, and their families. I have participated in the conversations surrounding support within the school and broader community. I have witnessed the frustration and angst that accompanies disappointing outcomes. I am interested in serving as a Patient and Family Advisor because change is part of a growth mind-set. I am interested in being part of a team that has collaborated, because they see a need for change.”
Carly Jones
“In my professional role, I interact with patients and healthcare providers throughout the Hamilton and Halton communities. I see the need to improve communication and collaborate with patients and providers. I have a genuine passion for patient-centred care. One of my strengths is the ability to listen and then use stories or information to facilitate positive change. I am committed to engaging healthcare providers to support and contribute to meaningful healthcare solutions.”
Michele Markowski
“I am a Hamiltonian who has worked within the mental health, housing and homelessness sectors for 7+ years. I have experienced a variety of situations, both personally and professionally, where accessing healthcare was met with many challenges and barriers. My hope in joining this committee would be to bring my lived experience within our healthcare system as a black woman, and as a mental health and equity advocate.”
Barbara Marsic
“Having recently retired and with my family now grown, I am presented with a wonderful chance to expand my community involvement. I am aiming to contribute to advancements that benefit all of us"
Joann MacLachlan
"I am, or will be at some time, a patient. If I don't work to make that experience as healing as possible for myself, and others, Who will?"
Minda Richardson
"My strong belief in volunteerism has allowed me to serve on many non-for-profit boards. I have 15 years’ experience working in the health care system provincially, territorially, and federally, developing health policy to ensure equitable access to high-quality care. Having graduated from Royal Roads University (Victoria, BC) with a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2014, the combination of my experiences places me in a positive position to contribute to the HFHT Patient and Family Advisor Group."
Tom Sauder
“I am interested in ensuring that outcomes of all patients entering our healthcare system are improved over time and consistent. By outcomes I mean their health based on excellent and timely diagnosis, treatment plan, and treatment as well as the experience going through the process.”
What do the PFG members do?
Patient and family advisors:
- Work towards having health care centred around patients and families.
- Share their stories and experiences with the group so that quality and safety of care can be improved.
- Offer feedback about how care is organized and delivered.
- Inspire change in how care is provided.
How does the PFG work?
- There is a maximum of ten members: eight patient advisors, a doctor and an HFHT staff member.
- The group meets either online or in person six times over the course of a year. Meetings are approximately two hours long.
- All members are asked to commit to a two-year term with the option to renew.
- All advisors receive orientation and training.
- This is a volunteer group.
How to engage with the PFG?
If you would like to engage with the HFHT Patient and Family Advisory Group (PFG), please complete our request form.
Learn more about Patient- and Family-Centred Care
Visit our Patient- and Family-Centred Care page.