Children's Cancer Hospital Councils

The Children’s Cancer Hospital is committed to providing patient- and family -centered care, where the needs and views of patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do. This commitment can be seen through our four advisory councils made up of hospital patients and their family members. These groups help the Children’s Cancer Hospital understand and address the needs and concerns of the special populations we serve.

Family Advisory Council: The FAC is comprised of adult family members of Children’s Cancer Hospital patients, as well as hospital faculty and staff. It supports the hospital’s patient- and family-centered care philosophy by helping develop, implement and evaluate hospital policies, programs and services. It also supports partnerships between the hospital other MD Anderson departments and programs. Contact FamilyAdvisoryCouncil@mdanderson.org to learn more about the council and to get information on joining.

imPACT: The Patient Advisory Council for Teens gives a voice to MD Anderson patients age 13-18.  Consisting of teenage patients and Children’s Cancer Hospital staff members, the council helps the hospital improve the overall experience of teen cancer patients by addressing their special needs, concerns and challenges. Efforts include an interactive guide that helps teen cancer patients explain the disease to their friends and orientation materials for new teen patients. To learn more, contact impact@mdanderson.org.

Supportive Care Council: This group is made up of parents who have lost children to cancer, as well as Children’s Cancer Hospital faculty and staff. The council works to improve supportive and palliative care for pediatric patients. It has created resources and educational tools for hospital care providers and parents with children approaching end of life. It has also developed services to help parents and families through these difficult times. To learn more about the Supportive Care Council, contact Faris Foundation music therapist Melissa Sandoval.

Young Adult Advisory Council: The YAAC strives to improve care for young adult patients and families at MD Anderson. It is comprised of current and former young adult patients ages 18-39, as well as MD Anderson staff members. The council’s accomplishments include creating a video to introduce young adult patients to the Children’s Cancer Hospital inpatient floor; giving presentations to clinical providers on issues facing young adult patients; and developing a young adult support group at MD Anderson. The council also is available to work with community and institutional groups to develop, implement and evaluate policies, programs and services that impact young adults. To learn more about the YAAC, including how to join, contact youngadults@mdanderson.org.