The Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) is a way for hospital patients and their family members to get involved, share their expertise, and help enhance the care experience at our hospitals.
Current and former patients and families from Saint-Vincent Hospital, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital and Greystone Transitional Care Unit are welcome to join and help make a difference.
Joining the PFAC is a way to lend your voice and perspective in the planning, delivery and evaluation of our hospital programs.
As a member of the PFAC, we will ask you to participate in monthly committee meetings where you will engage in discussions on topics that are important to our patients. We will also ask for your feedback on policies and procedures that impact our patients' wellbeing and care.
Let's collaborate to maintain a culture of patient and family-centered care at Bruyère.
Looking to contribute in another way?
We are always looking for patient and family champions who can provide input on an ad-hoc basis. This can range from answering a short survey to participating in a focus group on a special topic.
If you want to get involved but may not be able to commit to being a PFAC committee member, we still want to hear from you!
Join us
If you are interested in getting involved please complete this online registration form.
For more information or to join the PFAC, contact Christelle Dombou at clientrelations@bruyere.org or 613-562-6262 ext. 1385.
Meet the PFAC Members
Heidi Hemdan
My name is Heidi Hemdan and I work in the banking and financial industry. I have become a DCP shortly after the admission of my husband to St. Vincent’s. This role allowed me the opportunity to be directly involved in the care of my husband and also see the amazing care provided to the patients at Saint-Vincent Hospital. I later learned about PFAC and joined to be able to leverage my experience, skills and contribute to the enhancement of the patients’ experience and their families.
Graz Macdonald
Graz Macdonald came to be involved in the Bruyère as a result of her mother’s year-long stay there before moving on to long-term care. She had had a very bad fall in her house, and during recovery was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Graz came to have such high regard for the care and attentiveness of all the staff at the Bruyère that she wanted to get involved and give something back, even if only in a small way. By day, Graz works in the power and gas sector as a commercial and regulatory consultant. She has degrees in economics and spends a lot of time with her beautiful geriatric border collie.
Paul Heenan
Paul Heenan is a 40-year Canadian Army veteran. After retirement, he worked in the Space sector on Canadian satellite capability development and operations. During the COVID pandemic, he became interested in the Health Care industry and its impact on the elderly. He works to advocate on behalf of aging family members who are increasingly dependent on health support services to maintain their quality of life.
Evan Mundy
I am a man in my late 40’s with a degenerative nerve disorder. I have been a resident of Saint-Vincent Hospital for approximately 1 year prior to that living alone in Condo. Worked for 20+ years in software development. My reasons for joining PFAC are to push forward patient ideas and to feel more useful.
Robert Groves (Bob)
My name is Robert Groves (Bob). I am a PALS (person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and a patient at Saint-Vincent Hospital (SVH). I was born in Ottawa but raised in Alberta and Quebec. I have been married for 49 years and have two grown children and a grandson. I am a trained negotiator, mediator and facilitator, specializing in multi-lateral and asymmetrical negotiations honed by decades of involvement in land claims and constitutional talks with indigenous peoples. I would like to use my expertise in evaluation, policy and governance as well as my current experience as a patient to help strengthen collaboration between patients and families with the hospital, community and governmental systems through PFAC.
Marta Nuijten
Born and raised in Southwestern Ontario I have, since arriving in Ottawa, worn many hats in various organizations in the Healthcare, Telecommunications and Fundraising fields.
I hold Diplomas in Agricultural Production and Management from Ridgetown College and Fundraising Management Certificate from McEwan/Algonquin College.
Retired since 2014 I remain active in the community, volunteering at my Church and as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Orleans.
I bring to the group my experience and knowledge gained being a patient in an acute care facility for 1 year and here at Saint-Vincent's going on 2 years.
Sandra Pascuzzi
I’m Sandra Pascuzzi, a patient at Saint-Vincent Hospital. I am a former teacher and principal at the Elementary School level. I helped in their hiring process, as I had been doing that as a principal. I provided feedback on the services that I could from the perspective of a patient.
I also served as part of their social committee and ran the tuck shop up until it closed. The experience was so fulfilling and rewarding in so many ways. I was in my profession for twenty-nine years in the District of North Vancouver. I moved back to Ottawa where I lived for thirty years before my move to British Colombia.
I am happy to be back and ready to serve my community at Saint-Vincent Hospital.