Patient & Family Partner Program

About Us

The Cancer Center Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) is a partnership between patients, caregivers, family members, and the clinical teams at Stanford Health Care. Together, we work to enhance the cancer care experience, from diagnosis through active treatment and survivorship, the PFAC reflects the needs and voices of the people it serves.

Council members bring firsthand experience as patients and caregivers to collaborate with staff and faculty on improvement projects, facility design, education programming, and patient experience initiatives. We consult on care delivery, provide feedback grounded in lived experience, and host community education events that inform and empower patients and families throughout their care journey.

2026 Focus Areas

• Community Education
  Throughout the year, the PFAC hosts free education events open to all patients and caregivers. Topics are developed in partnership with Stanford Medicine clinicians and researchers and cover areas such as navigating a new diagnosis, financial literacy and billing, caregiving, complementary therapies, and the role of technology in cancer care. Events are designed to provide practical tools and foster community, not just share information.
  
  
• Patient Experience and Access
  The PFAC consults on projects aimed at improving navigation, communication, and access across all Cancer Center locations. This includes reviewing patient satisfaction data, advising on billing and insurance clarity, and identifying opportunities to reduce barriers patients and caregivers face throughout their care.
  
  
• Membership and Mentorship
  The council is committed to welcoming new voices and supporting new members through peer mentorship, ensuring that diverse patient and caregiver perspectives are represented in our work.