YACFAC Annual Patient and Family Engagement Impact Report Sept 2025

facilitated by Morgan Stojanowski, Director of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department, and Nina Connors, Pediatric Oncology Social Worker, empower members to collaborate on a range of patient-care projects and bring actionable recommendations to improve the patient experience.

The Family Advisory Council (FAC) works jointly with leadership and interdisciplinary staff to ensure the delivery of the highest standard of comprehensive and compassionate health care. The FAC, facilitated by Cheryl Strauss, Zone Clinical Coordinator and Child Life Specialist III, and Andrea Johnston, Senior Parent Advisor, meets monthly to advise on projects and initiatives impacting patients and families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Kravis Children’s Hospital at large. Council member Beth Silber serves as the Family Advisor Liaison, bridging the work of the Council on various hospital committees and work groups.

“Fireside Chat: Enhancing Healthcare Communication Through Lived Experience”

In January 2025, members of the Kravis Youth and Family Advisory Councils hosted a first of its kind with pediatric residents and fellows at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children unique space for open dialogue between healthcare trainees, patients, and families, focusing on the complexities and importance of communication within the healthcare environment.

Held in the welcoming setting of the Child Life Zone, participants engaged in meaningful conversations about rapport-building, information sharing and other essential aspects of patient began the session with introductions designed to foster comfort and connection among attendees.

Enhancing Pediatric Infection Prevention Through Family Collaboration:

Remarks by Council Member Dr. Jennifer Duchon, Hospital Epidemiologist and Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship

The Pediatric Infection Prevention team is committed to protecting children from infections acquired in the hospital as well as community acquired illnesses. Central to this mission is partnering with patients and families to promote safe, healthy practices.

To support this collaboration, we engaged the Family Advisory Council for feedback on a new initiative aimed at improving communication around the environment of care” and infection prevention habits. Initially designed for immunocompromised patients, the initiative includes a handout for families with practical strategies like hand hygiene, daily oral care, and room cleanliness. We’ll also conduct regular rounds with patients and families to encourage questions and shared decision-making.

The Council’s insights offered a valuable parent perspective, highlighting communication gaps and shared concerns. Their feedback affirmed that families and infection preventionists often face similar challenges and that working together can enhance both the hospital experience and patient outcomes.

We’re grateful to the Council for helping shape this initiative and strengthen our commitment to family-centered care. I'm also honored to be invited to join the FAC and am sure that the families will inspire a lot more ideas.

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Advancing Patient and Family-Centered Care

• The Family Advisory Council welcomed leaders from the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lindsey Douglas, Chief Medical Officer, and Jennifer Kero, Clinical Program Director, presented a comprehensive Quality and Safety Report, including a review of 2024 Key Performance Indicators, year-end outcomes, and goals for 2025. Additionally, Diane Rode, Senior Director of Patient and Family Centered Care, and Isadora Braune, Associate Director of Patient Experience, shared an overview of the hospital’s Patient Experience Survey results. Their presentation highlighted 2024 performance outcomes and outlined action steps taken and shared performance goals for 2025.

• Youth advisors engaged with the creators and facilitators of Mount Sinai’s Child-Centered Care Certificate Program to provide strategic feedback on the curriculum, incorporating developmental insights specific to adolescent patients.

• Family advisors lent their perspectives on the development of a new NICU initiative Neurodevelopmental Care Rounds. Their thoughtful feedback emphasized the neurodevelopmental significance of parent-infant bonding and the need for flexible, compassionate approaches that support families through varying levels of acuity and evolving care needs.

• Members of the Youth Advisory Council met with a representative from the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team to explore current methods through which patients and families are informed about the Department’s services. The discussion focused on strategies to enhance awareness and accessibility. Additionally, the advisors provided valuable feedback on a newly developed initiative aimed at promoting the diverse programs and services offered by the Department.

• In an effort to deepen family involvement in safety work, staff advisors presented real safety events along with the processes that followed—including safety classification, analysis and corrective actions. Family advisors contributed meaningful insights rooted in lived experience, addressing key areas including discharge planning, collaborative clinical decision-making, proactive safety huddles, and fostering trust between families and the care team.

• With the support and expertise of a drama therapist, youth advisors engaged in a structured process to explore and articulate their personal medical narratives. These exercises were designed to foster group cohesion, enhance storytelling skills, and empower participants to take ownership of their experiences by confidently sharing their stories.

Building Connection & Resilience: A New IBD Youth Group Begins This Fall

Launching September 2025, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital is introducing a new monthly in-person community group designed to support adolescents living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This innovative program was developed by Sarah Griffiths, Certified Child Life Specialist. Sarah brought the concept to the hospital’s Youth Advisory Council to ensure the group’s structure and goals reflected the voices of the young patients it serves. “I wanted to create a space where adolescents with IBD could feel seen, supported, and empowered not just medically, but emotionally and socially,” said Griffiths. Open to youth aged 11–17 and diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, the group offers a unique blend of peer connection, emotional support and enrichment. Each session features guest educators including art and music therapists and mindfulness instructors who guide discussions on topics such as self-advocacy and communication about chronic illness. Caregivers are also invited to participate in a parallel support space, fostering community and connection for families. Held monthly from September through June, this program exemplifies Mount Sinai’s commitment to patient-centered innovation and holistic care for adolescents navigating complex medical journeys.

Quality Improvement Spotlight: Dr. Rachel Moss

Increasing the Rate of Physician Documentation of Interpreter Use in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

The Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital is proud to serve a diverse group of patients. Recognizing the importance of equitable communication, we sought to improve our care for patients who prefer a language other than English. With the support of the Family Advisory Council, we developed visual aids to be placed outside patient rooms in the PICU, enabling physicians and nurses to identify potential translation needs before entering. The council provided thoughtful suggestions to ensure the signage was inclusive, culturally sensitive and approachable for all families. This initiative has not only enhanced access to care but also fostered a welcoming and respectful environment, reinforcing our commitment to patient-centered care and health equity. The signage has since expanded throughout Kravis Children's Hospital with the goal of making these signs permanent fixtures.

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Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive. In a post-event survey, 100% of respondents indicated they were either “Likely” or “Highly Likely” to:

• Recommend the session to colleagues;

• Consider the time spent worthwhile despite clinical responsibilities; and

• Integrate insights from the discussion into their future practice.

One participant reflected, “This served as a great way to re-anchor my role as a physician and the importance of listening to my patients and their families. It reminded me why I wanted to become a doctor, and it was a wonderful experience!” This Fireside Chat marks a meaningful step in advancing patient and family centered care at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.

Patient and Family Engagement Steering Committee Members

Nina Connors, Pediatric Oncology Social Worker

Dr. Lindsey Douglas, Chief Medical Officer

Jennifer Kero, Clinical Program Director, Children’s Health Safety and Quality

Gabrielle Paciencia, Pediatric Endocrinology Social Worker

Diane Rode, Senior Director, Patient and Family Centered Care

Beth Silber, Family Advisor Liaison

Svetlana Streltsavo-Verma, Director of Nursing

Morgan Stojanowski, Director, Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department

Cheryl Strauss, Zone Clinical Coordinator and Child Life Specialist III

Sherri Witkins, Director of Nursing