What We Do

PFACQ provides the patient and family voice for key MSK projects that serve an array of institutional needs.

PFACQ project requests

Our Work

  • Committees/ Working Groups-
    • PFACQ Members participate on committees that operate in one of several ways: on a long-term basis working on internal projects that align with the mission of MSK; on major initiatives within MSK; or on a specific issue with a short-term solution.
      • Example: The PFACQ Communications Committee works on raising the profile of the Council with both internal and external stakeholders. The Committee works closely with MSK’s marketing and communications team to align language, processes, materials, and visibility.
      • Specific sub-projects may include:
        • Creating written materials for both print and electronic resources across MSK
        • Overhaul of outward-facing Council webpage
        • Increasing the visibility of PFACQ by collaborating across marketing channels
      • Example: EPIC is the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system of choice for leading hospitals across the country. MSK went live with this EHR system in 2025. PFACQ members were embedded as part of the implementation team. An Epic rollout sub-committee was formed within PFACQ. Its members were part of specific hospital-wide working groups concerning different areas of the EPIC rollout, such as:
        • Call Management Cheer
        • Care Coordination/Population Health
        • Patient Access
        • MyChart, etc.
      • Example: The Patient Education Committee reviews and approves all new education programs and resources to be used at MSK. The Committee reviews the overall educational resource portfolio for content and balance, recommends new programs and revisions of existing programs, and generates ideas and strategies around patient education.
      • Example: The LGBTQI+ Clinical Advisory Committee works to identify key areas of importance to LGBTQI+ populations. This Committee works to identify gaps in the clinical care of this population, identify resources and initiatives to address the needs of LGBTQI+ patients, make recommendations to executive leadership about priorities related to this population’s clinical care, and advance the academic mission of MSK to include a stronger focus on research efforts that target LGBTQI+ patients.
  • Quality Assurance Reviews
    • All MSK clinical departments have an established Quality Assurance Committee. These committees review selected cases, propose and recommend performance improvement projects, and design and implement systems patient care, treatment, and safety. PFACQ members regularly attend these types of meetings to provide the critical patient/caregiver perspective.
  • Elevating our voices
  • Presentations
    • PFACQ members present on the Council to groups across MSK and share how patient voices can help inform various projects.
      • Example: PFACQ Member clinical trial participants shared their experiences with the students of the Quantitative Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience program, bringing the human side of research to these future leaders.
  • Help New Patients
  • Death Over Dinner
    • Founded as a way to initiate dialogue around death and dying, Death Over Dinner is an uplifting event meant to transform a difficult conversation into an evening of deep engagement, insight, and empowerment. 
      In an attempt to raise awareness about the need for candid conversations about end-of-life preparedness, PFACQ brought Death Over Dinner to the MSK community. MSK is the only hospital in the country to invite patients and caregivers to have a seat at the table alongside hospital staff for this important dialogue. Learn more and RSVP here.
  • Symposium
    • PFACQ is hosting the second “Raise Your Voice” Symposium in the fall of 2025. The event brings together clinicians, hospital leaders, patients, and caregivers from cancer centers across the country to strategize around how to most effectively partner with their respective organizations so that they may integrate their perspectives and better advance patient centered care. The 2025 Symposium will be held October 8-10 in New York City. Patients, caregivers, and staff who are currently participating in a patient and family advisory council are invited to attend.