Patient and Family Advisors

Meet our BCHS Patient and Family Advisors

Anna Maynard | Co-Chair of CEO's Patient Family Advisory Council

After suffering a stroke in 2001, Anna had to give up her nursing career as a Nurse Educator. As a Stroke survivor of 21 years, Anna is passionate about the quality of healthcare, readable patient education materials, and accessible environments for patients and visitors.

Anna became a PFA because she wanted to improve the patient experience that she and her mother experienced and believes that she can use her adult education and nursing knowledge, along with her patient experiences, to advocate for positive change.

Anna has proudly called the County of Brant/Brantford home since 1990. In addition to being an avid gardener and watercolour/oil artist, she is also a wife and grandmother of 3, and the owner of the most lovable and mischievous cocker spaniel. 

Anna looks forward to problem-solving and analyzing system problems to further the BCHS Mission of 'working together to build a healthier community'.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Patient Family Advisor Council  
• CEO's Patient Family Advisory Council
• Accessibility Advisory Committee  
• Falls Prevention Steering Committee
• Staffing Improvement & Sustainability Steering Committee
• Perioperative Program Council
• District Stroke Quality Council 
• Pressure Injury Prevention Committee
• Seamless MD Working Group

Joy Casarin | Patient and Family Advisor 

Joy loves being a PFA because it gives her the opportunity to share her opinion on matters that really encourage patient-centered care. She is involved in many councils and committees and each of them makes her feel welcome and heard.

"This is an exciting time to be a PFA with the redevelopment of BCHS on the horizon. A new hospital means new opportunities to care for the vulnerable population in Brantford-Brant, including seniors, children, and those with mental health and addiction struggles," says Joy.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• Former Co-chair of the CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Quality Committee of the Board
• Critical Care Unit (CCU) Council
• Wellness Committee
• Department of OB & Gyn Council
• Paediatric and NICU Council
• Harm Reduction Committee

Brantford Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team (BBNOHT) Councils and Committees:

• ELG Committee
• Joint Governance Board
• Digital Health Working Group
• People with Living Experience (PWLE) Committee 

Janice Kucharew | Patient and Family Advisor 

As a patient and caregiver, Janice is passionate about helping to make a positive change in our healthcare system. Her focus is consistency, communication, and
patient-centered care.

"I love being involved and find it very rewarding. Being a Patient and Family Advisor is a very important role and I always come to the table with my Patient and Family 'lens' on," says Janice. "I hope more community members will want to become involved to make a difference and effect positive change."

In addition to being a retired Sales Manager for Hallmark Canada, Janice is also a wife, a mother of 2, and grandmother of 5 grand grandchildren - all of whom were born at the Brant Community Healthcare System.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Medical Integrated Programs Council
• Post-Acute Programs Quality Council
• Patient Experience Bundle Working Group 

Gail Gloster | Patient and Family Advisor 

Gail is a dedicated and committed PFA at BCHS. She is a strong advocate for 'person centered' care and actively participates in a number of councils and committees.

Gail is also the Chair on the Board of Directors for the Volunteer Association and truly embodies the BCHS values of compassion, accountability, respect, and equity. As a former nurse, Gail has experienced the frontlines of healthcare first hand, and strives to turn her career experience into positive change at BCHS and the community at large.

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Quality Council of the Board
• PFA Recruitment Working Group
• PFA COVID-19 Visitor Policy Working Group
• Executive Interviews Working Group
• Patient Declaration of Values Committee
• Emergency Management Committee
• Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Council
• Chair, Board of Directors for the Volunteer Association

Brantford Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team (BBNOHT) Councils and Committees:

• People with Living Experience (PWLE) Committee
• Executive Leadership Group
• Joint Governance Board

Shannon MacKenzie | Patient and Family Advisor 

Shannon is passionate about the quality of Mental Health Care and Addiction programs offered in our fast-growing community. She also loves to share stories, ideas, and brainstorm solutions when problems present. 

In addition to being a busy spouse and mom of 3 children (ages 21, 19, and 8), Shannon is a Student Support Counselor at W. Ross MacDonald School for the Visually Impaired and Deafblind.

 "I LIVE, WORK, and PLAY in Brantford," says Shannon. "I am also part of the 'sandwich generation', with aging, elderly parents/family members, young adult children, and a school-age child."

BCHS Councils and Committees:

• CEO’s Patient Family Advisory Council
• Mental Health and Addictions Program Quality Council 

Karen Dinsmore | Patient and Family Advisor 

About me: Coming Soon!

Jodi Rock | Patient and Family Advisor 

About me: Coming Soon!

Bryony Fox | Patient and Family Advisor 

 About me: Coming Soon!

David Kirk | Patient and Family Advisor 

About me: Coming Soon!

Position Summary | Patient and Family Advisor

This is a volunteer advisory role that will influence hospital decisions; provide an objective and balanced approach to patient and family perspectives across a wide range of hospital initiatives, programs, services, and policies.

PFA’s work in partnership with the hospital to create a Patient and Family Centered Care environment and experience. Patient and Family Centered Care is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families, and health care providers (Institute for Patient-and Family-Centered Care, 2010).

Patient and Family Advisors also:

• Bring a positive outlook and respect the opinions of others.
• Prepare for and regularly attend meetings.
• Actively participate in meetings and respect the perspective of others.
• Share insights and information about experiences.
• Model and embrace BCHS Mission, Vision and Values.
• Support the organizations commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Mindful of confidentiality and privacy always.
• Improve patient and family health care experiences.
• Provide input about how we develop patient-centered care.
• Influence organizational change.
• Improve the health care system.

Qualities | Patient and Family Advisor

• A passion for enhancing the health care experience of patients, families and caregivers.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Open-minded and positive.
• Respects others’ opinions and perspectives.
• Able to share thoughts and opinions in a group setting.
• Open to see beyond personal experience and appreciate the big picture.
• Comfortable communicating in English.
• Passionate and believe you can help influence decisions.

Qualifications | Patient and Family Advisor 

• A patient, or family member or caregiver of a patient, who has received care and is interested in gaining an understanding of Patient and Family Centered Care.
• Commit an average of four hours per month.
• Able to participate and attend meetings during normal business hours.

• November 2021
• May 2022
• May 2023