Southcoast Health Patient & Family Advisory Council
The Southcoast Health Hospital’s Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) provides a vehicle for improved communication among patients, families and staff. Serving as an advisory resource to administration and trustees, the council discusses and reports on issues concerning the greater South Coast community to improve the reach and quality of care.
We are currently recruiting for members
If you are interested in being a part of the discussion, apply online today to join the Southcoast Health Patient & Family Advisory Council.
PFACtor Award
The Southcoast Health PFAC was honored in 2023 with a PFACtor Award at the 7th annual Patient Experience Symposium, hosted by the ICD Healthcare Network. The ICD Healthcare Network’s inaugural PFACtor Awards recognize leadership, creativity, and innovation factors in the implementation of these volunteer groups and other organizations with the same function.
Benefits of PFAC
- Transformation of the hospital culture toward patient-family centered care
- Patient and families have an increased awareness and understanding of the health care system
- Incorporating the feedback from the advisors leads to improved patient satisfaction
- The PFAC provides two-way communication between the hospital’s operation and clinical team and the patients and families we serve.
- It is a great opportunity to listen to and honor the patient and family perspectives and choices.
- Patients, families, health care practitioners, and health care leaders collaborate in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in facility design; in professional education; as well as in the delivery of care.
Our Mission & Goals
The PFAC’s goal is to act as a “consumer advisory group” and serve as a link between Southcoast Health Hospitals and the communities we serve. The PFAC seeks to provide a voice for patients and families about the way in which care is delivered and to discuss concerns about care, quality and access.
The PFAC’s goal is also to champion family participation in hospital care and decision-making and gather information about significant issues and trends to be considered by hospital administration and staff in its policy-making, program development and staff training and education. The PFAC also helps advise Southcoast Health on community-based education needs to better inform the public about how to play an active role in their health care.
PFAC Membership
Southcoast Health’s PFAC consists of up to 24 members, with at least 50 percent of the representation coming from the community.
The PFAC is co-chaired by someone from the community, such as a former patient or a family member, and by someone from Southcoast Health, such as an administrator, trustee or physician. Others are invited to attend the PFAC meetings, depending on the topics or issues to be discussed. Community membership is on a volunteer basis.
The PFAC meets on the fourth Monday of every month, except in July and December. The committee also meets via conference call the second Monday of each month.
Current Members
Below is a list of our sitting Community Council Members:
Donnie Anderson
Providence, RI
| Professional background: | The Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson is an ordained minister whose credentials are recognized by the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and American Baptist Churches USA. |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | She enjoys the opportunity to present and moderate conversations on the intersection of transgender and community engagement and has published a book about her gender affirming Journey Seven Sunday’s With Donnie. She is also active in social justice issues of race, poverty, and gender. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | She is the minister at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford and most of her congregants utilize Southcoast Health. She wishes to represent them, their families and neighbors. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2024 |
Kathleen Campanirio
Taunton, MA
| Professional background: | RN, BSN, and MBA in management with 25 years’ experience in many specialties; 30-year Vice President at a healthcare information systems company, consulting, installing, training and selling software systems; Former healthcare coordinator at Headstart; Trained and supported 100 clinical staffers for VNA on medical record software; General Manager of for-profit subsidiary, HSI, of the VNA of Providence |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | AARP driver’s ed trainer in MA and FL; Provides Medicare D education for seniors and works with Medicare Affiliates (BFAC) to educate seniors on Medicare services, patient empowerment and partnership; Enjoys traveling, computers, and supporting special needs adults; AAUW scholarship chair and Secretary |
| Why they joined PFAC: | My experiences caring for my husband, Leo, with his terminal illness and my special needs son, my retirement and my background in healthcare and process management. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2010 (Founding member) |
| Name: | Melanie Cordeiro |
| Hometown: | Fall River, MA |
| Professional background: | Marketing Director for The Cordeiro Group – Insurance, Real Estate & Philanthropy |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Commissioner, Licensing Board City of Fall River Member, Southcoast Health’s President’s Council Member, Rotary Club of Greater Fall River Board Member, Southcoast Insurance Agents Association |
| Why they joined PFAC: | To assist in the improvement of the quality of care for patients and families who use Southcoast Health’s hospitals and services. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2021 |
Den DeMarinis
New Bedford, MA
| Professional background: | Director of Day Services at Lifestream, Inc. |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Chairperson, Commission for Citizen’s with Disabilities Member; Southcoast Health Community Benefits Council |
| Why they joined PFAC: | My past experiences with the health system and a need to try and make a difference. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2016 |
| Name: | Pam Ellis |
| Hometown: | Mattapoisett, MA |
| Professional background: | Non-profit office management; Software product management; Informal educator |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Leadership Southcoast Alumni Committee member; Enjoys water activities and biking. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | My passion for quality of care, recognizing improvement opportunities based on my own health and family experience. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2015 |
Mary Louise Francis
Dartmouth, MA
| Name: | Mary Louise Francis |
| Hometown: | Dartmouth, MA |
| Professional background: | Retired Educator |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Mary Lou is the president of the Bristol County Retired Teachers Association. She remains dedicated to educators after a career as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in the New Bedford Public Schools. She also taught a course on brain-based teaching and learning at Fitchburg State College and served on the Acushnet School Committee. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | Mary Lou attended a information session that saved her life. She discuss how she owes her life to the notice of the information session, and to the doctors at Charlton Memorial.” Read her story here. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2022 |
Danyelle LeBlanc
New Bedford, MA
| Name: | Danyelle LeBlanc |
| Hometown: | New Bedford, MA |
| Professional background: | Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Community Mental Health |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Enjoys being active and coaching youth sports |
| Why they joined PFAC: | As a clinician I have seen how physical health and mental health go hand in hand and I would like to bridge any gaps in access to healthcare to those who need it and be an advocate for those who often have a difficult time advocating for themselves or accessing healthcare due to their limitations. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2024 |
| Name: | Renee Ledbetter |
| Hometown: | New Bedford, MA |
| Professional Background: | Director of the New Bedford Shannon Program (NBS) / President of the New Bedford NAACP Branch |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | She is a proud mother of five children and one granddaughter, interested improving the lives, health and welfare of at-risk youth |
| Why they joined PFAC: | Renee Ledbetter is a New Bedford resident. Her career has encompassed a variety of roles. She has served as Director of the New Bedford Shannon Program (NBS) since August 2019. As director, she is responsible for managing prevention and intervention initiatives and programming, serving as a key point of contact with community partners and developing fluid and effective strategies focused on youth at risk of gang violence. Renee currently serves as the President of the New Bedford NAACP Branch, serves as the Board President for United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts, having been involved in UIA for over 20 years and helping establish the Shannon Program through a UIA campaign. Renee believes deeply in the possibility for change when people of faith come together. She also serves as Director of Youth Ministry & Faith Formation Coordinator at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, member of the parade committee of the Cape Verdean Recognition committee, member of the advisory board of the New Bedford Community Connections Coalition, and member of the New Bedford Police Chief’s Community Advisory Board. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2024 |
| Name: | Wendy Looker |
| Hometown: | Swansea, MA |
| Professional background: | Currently, Statewide Health Home Administrator for Rhode Island Opioid Treatment Programs. Field surveyor for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) an international accreditation agency. Former Owner of Center for Treatment and Recovery from 2003-2020. I am a registered nurse and hold a degree from Roger Williams University. |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Currently the vice-chair of the Swansea Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, board member of the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health (RI). I love traveling, crafting and spending time with my family. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | Navigating the health care industry is tricky even for those with medical knowledge. Advocacy has always been a very important aspect of my career and as a consumer (also having family as consumers) shared decision making and the provision of functional medicine are extremely important aspects of care that I hear and see are often overlooked. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2024 |
| Name: | Cathie Markow |
| Hometown: | Wareham, MA |
| Professional background: | Healthcare information technology and quality measurement and improvement |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Volunteer Emergency Department Patient Liaison – Tobey Hospital; Volunteer Habitat for Humanity |
| Why they joined PFAC: | A passion for improving patient and family experience with our healthcare system and an opportunity to get to know and give back to my community. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2021 |
Joan Menard
South Dartmouth, MA
| Professional Background: | Started career in customer service and support in tech; Higher education; Transitioned to healthcare in 2008; Project management, training and consulting |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Trustee of the Dartmouth Public Libraries; Member of the DNRT and Helfand Community Garden; Supports and participates at the Marion Institute and Round-the-Bend Farm; Personal interests include music, reading, food and nutrition and sustainable living. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | Just as the decline of company paid pensions prompted individuals to take control of their own retirement funding, the Affordable Care Act has created an environment where individuals will be best served by increasing their role in their own healthcare. I want to help patients be successful by sharing what I’ve learned about healthcare through my work with doctors, executives and staff at hospitals, and also in an outpatient primary care setting. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2015 |
| Name: | Brian O’Hare |
| Hometown: | Dartmouth, MA |
| Professional Background: | Marketing and Sales manager with over 35 years of experience in start-ups and large, global firms in the hi-tech, consumer, and commercial and industrial goods and services; Launched and manages a sales, marketing and management process improvement consultancy |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Board Member of a homeless shelter; Elected City official; Volunteer with My Brother’s Keeper; Member of the Dartmouth Harbor Development Committee; Active runner, cyclist and hiker. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | Brian became interested in patient advocacy after a very positive experience at the St. Luke’s Emergency Department. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2017 |
| Name: | Bonnie Pearson |
| Hometown: | Wareham, MA / Boca Raton, FL |
| Professional Background: | 25-year background in hospitality and sales and marketing for several hotel corporations throughout the US; industrial software sales and real estate development |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Co-Director and Organizer for Acupuncture for Veterans Inc. a 501(c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to providing acupuncture and acupressure services and clinics for veterans in the Southeast Florida community. Volunteered with Changing Lives of Boca Raton, Inc. a 501(c) 3 nonprofit offering services to the homeless in the Boca Raton, Florida area. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | Interested in giving back in the community and work with team members to assist Southcoast Health to better reach out and assist the needs of patients and family members. Utilize my involvement in volunteering with non-profit organizations, as well as personal and family healthcare experiences. |
| Tenure on Council: | Since 2021 |
Geovanny Gomes Sequeira
New Bedford, MA
| Professional Background: | Community Relations Specialist for the City of New Bedford |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Member of the Board of Directors for the Cape Verdean Association, Executive Member of the NAACP New Bedford Branch, Our Lady of the Assumption Church Parish Council member, Chairman of the City’s Annual MLK Day community program & a leader with United Interfaith Action. |
| Why they joined PFAC: | To advocate for improved patient experiences, particularly for those facing language, accessibility, and cultural barriers. My goal is to help shape policies and practices to be more patient-centered and inclusive, bridging gaps in communication, access, and cultural understanding within the healthcare system. |
| Tenure on Council | Since 2024 |
Jeffrey Schmalz
New Bedford, MA
| Professional Background: | Registered Nurse since 1998 with an interest in Behavioral Health. Worked on the Rogers Unit at St. Luke’s for 12 years and as a PACU nurse in the ECT for 6 years at St. Luke’s and Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick. Repairman of woodwind instruments, specializing in handmade flutes with a nationwide clientele since 1981. |
| Personal Interests/Community Affiliations: | Interested in LGBTQIA+ rights and how Southcoast and other healthcare organizations provide services to that community. Loves to play with his dog, Frieda and his cat Jasper, gardening and helping his husband Andy maintain and operate their farm in Dartmouth, MA. |
| Tenure on Council | April 2024 |
The Southcoast Health Council Members are listed alphabetically below:
- Tracey Benson, Service Excellence Specialist
- Nitya Bhattarai, MD, Hospitalist, Southcoast Health
- Kimberley Coon, Executive Director of Hospital and Medical Staff Services, Southcoast Health & Chief of Staff to Chief Operating Officer
- Cheyanne Dill, Patient Service & Experience Specialist
- Jadene Elden, VP Revenue Cycle, Southcoast Health
- Dani Hackner, MD SVP/Chief Clinical Officer, Southcoast Health
- Robert McGowen, MD, Medical Director for Patient and Provider Experience
- Traci McNeil, Executive Director, Brand, Southcoast Health
- Lauren Melby, VP – Population Health
- Yinka Oluwole, Director of Service Excellence and Patient Experience, Southcoast Health
- Alicia Pimental, DNP, RN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, St. Luke’s Hospital
- Chris Snow, RN, Executive Director of Emergency Services
- Jacqueline Somerville, PhD, RN, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Southcoast Health
- Dilip Sthapit, MD, Hospitalist, Southcoast Health
- Melissa Svay, Senior Patient Service & Experience Specialist
- Michele Wakeman, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Tobey Hospital
- Trish Wollner, Manager, Service Excellence & Patient Experience
Governance Structure & Previous Activities
For relevant information about PFAC governance and the impact we’ve already had on our community, view our by laws or download:
- The 2023 PFAC Annual Report
- The 2022 PFAC Annual Report
- The 2021 PFAC Annual Report
- The 2020 PFAC Annual Report
- The 2019 PFAC Annual Report
- The 2018 PFAC Annual Report
- The 2017 PFAC Annual Report
Reporting
Issues and trends deemed as significant or urgent by the PFAC will be brought to the attention of senior administration and Southcoast Health’s Quality Steering Committee. An update on PFAC activity will be a standing agenda item for the Quality Steering Committee of Southcoast Health Hospitals Group. PFAC updates will be included in Quality Steering Committee minutes and available to the Board of Trustees via the Board Quality Committee.
Contact Us for More Information
We welcome questions and suggestions about Southcoast Health’s Patient & Family Advisory Council. Please email patientexperience@southcoast.org. If you have any concerns and compliments regarding the service you received as a patient, please call the Southcoast Health Hotline at 877-264-7244 or complete our feedback form.
Join PFAC
If you are interested in joining PFAC, please complete the form below. All information submitted on this form will remain confidential. Once accepted into Southcoast Health Patient & Family Advisory Council, members names are published on Southcoast Health’s website and contact information is shared with other PFAC members.
Your application will be shared with Southcoast Health leaders and community council members as part of our application process. Information submitted on this form will otherwise remain confidential.