For Patients & Families

Since our inception in 1998, the Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) has served as a national model for healthcare institutions. By partnering with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center staff members regarding adult patient care, we help improve the patient experience and ensure patient- and family-centered care.

What we do

• Advocate for expanded patient and family support services, including the ability to book an appointment for the next day
• Partner with hospital administration for increased staffing and improved scheduling, when needed
• Implement better communication and service recovery, including Epic, our new shared electronic health and administrative record system
• Improve infrastructure and physical spaces, including the design of our Yawkey Center for Cancer Care

Get involved

Do you want to share your voice and experience, guide the development of projects, and shape key decisions that affect the patient care and family experience at Dana-Farber? Contact us today.

You do not need to be a member to provide your input, although new applicants are always welcome. Five to six key administrative staff members serve as voting members of the Councils. Other staff leaders are invited guests and routinely attend meetings.

For more information about the Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council, including membership, please call 617-632-4319, or email pfac@dfci.harvard.edu.

Apply to join the Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council

Co-chairs, Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)

Jenny Dahlstein

Treated for triple-negative breast cancer in 2016, Jenny later joined the Adult PFAC to contribute to Dana-Farber's work of centering the voices of patients and family caregivers in all phases of the care continuum. Living with cancer is life-altering and, for some, doesn't end with treatment. Jenny is interested in the transition into and out of care, and in equitable access to quality care for all.

Austin Sarat

Austin Sarat has a long cancer history. He had his first cancer in 1999. Since then, he has been diagnosed with a different cancer in 2010, 2016, and 2019. Austin joined the Adult PFAC to help Dana-Farber to continue to provide the best patient-centered cancer care. He believes that cancer care should focus on the whole person, and that the best way to show gratitude for the care he has received is to give time and effort to help others.

Learn about the Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Council (PPFAC)