The Family Advisory Council is a diverse group of families whose children have received care (inpatient or outpatient) at a Children’s Minnesota facility. They work collaboratively with staff to promote and enhance patient- and family-centered care and to improve the family and patient experiences. Learn more about our expectations of members of the Family Advisory Council.
For staff
Are you a Children’s staff member interested in collaborating with patient-families? Would you like feedback on a project? Do you have an idea or topic you would like to share before the Family Advisory Council? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please complete this form and send it to [email protected].
What the Family Advisory Council does
As part of our mission, the Family Advisory Council uses experiences, wisdom and diverse points of view to:
- Promote patient- and family-centered care
- Advise and advocate for children and their families
- Encourage positive changes to Children’s and the community
Core activities
Activities the council participates in enhance the quality of child and family care experiences. Some examples of work the council has advised on are:
- Service and facility development, implementation and evaluation
- Educational opportunities for staff, leadership, students, managers and all new employees
- Management of recommendations and concerns expressed by parents, family members, parent associations and others
- Policy review
Resources and materials
The Family Advisory Council also publishes documents and resource materials to:
- Help educate families and staff on the work of the council
- Connect families in need of support and information
- Organize and track your child’s medical information
For example members of the Family Advisory Council prepared A Resource Guide for Families from Families (PDF), tips for well-being while your child is in the hospital, along with helpful videos, to share important information and resources members have found to be useful. While this packet may contain only some of the information families need, many families have found it to be a great place to start.
Current members and staff
Take a minute to meet current members of the Family Advisory Council — including patient family members and Children’s employees.
Our staff
- Carly Glander – Manager of Patient Experience
- Natalie Schlosser – Communications Specialist
- Kimberly Yang – Child Life Specialist
- Sarah Magnuson – Child Life Specialist
- Dr. Annalisa Rudser – Emergency Department Physician
- Dr. Albert Zhang – Emergency Department Physician
- Jeri Bierman – Senior Administrative Assistant
- Dr. Jeffrey Simmons – Vice President, Chief Value Officer
- Alexa Beguhl – VCE and Families as Partners Program Coordinator
- Andrew Berndt, Vice President of Clinical Services
- Andrew Warmuth, PPCIM Clinic Manager
Family council members
Bailee
My name is Bailee – this is my husband Adam, our son Watson, and the sweet little girl is my daughter Elliot. She was born at 24 weeks and required a lengthy stay at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. Due to her complexity, we got to experience numerous different departments of the specialists provided at Children’s. We faced a lot of challenges with so many ups and downs.
During her NICU stay I had already developed a fire in my heart to help other parents navigate the hard journey I found myself on. I wanted my voice to be heard by the operations of the hospital so that they could learn and understand room for growth and the celebrations we experienced during our stay. That’s when I learned about Family Advisory Counsel.
FAC allows your voice to be heard, good and bad, so that we, as parents, can help make the hospital a better place. It’s an honor to be a part of the counsel where you know you truly matter and can make a difference. We are so grateful for a hospital that undoubtedly tends to make sure they are achieving expert level of care.
Kristen
My husband, Mark, and I have one son Caleb who surprised us by being born at 26 weeks. He spent 5 months in the NICU / ICC at Children’s Minneapolis. Like most NICU stories ours was a rollercoaster that became more complicated when he contracted E coli Meningitis at 32 weeks. This resulted in hydrocephalus and 2 VP shunts to help drain the extra fluid in his head. He also initially struggled to eat orally and had a G tube placed prior to his initial hospital discharge. He is followed by a variety of specialists at Children’s Minnesota, and also receives his primary care through Children’s in Minneapolis.
I joined the Family Advisory Board to help give back to an organization that gave so much to our family. I am a nurse practitioner by training, working in family medicine and have particularly enjoyed sharing our experience to residents and nurses, helping them better care for families like ours. I am hopeful that I can continue to be a resource for other families walking a similar path, and help continue to improve the already exceptional care provided by Children’s Minnesota.
Shelley
Hello. My name is Shelley. My husband, Albert and I have 4 children: Adeline who is 23 years old, Alena who is 14 years old, Ava who is 9 years old, and Daniel who is 6 years old. When Daniel was 3 weeks old, he caught pertussis (whooping cough) and was admitted to Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. Between ICC, NICU, and PICU, Daniel spent 5 ½ Months (173 days to be exact) inpatient. He required ECMO Life Support and lots of therapy to regain his feeding ability and some strength before being able to come home.
I decided to join the Families as Partners as a way to give back to Children’s. I’m very happy to be part of the Family Advisory Council, Neonatal Family Experience Team, and the Rehab Family Experience Team. I feel honored to share Daniel’s story and journey along with all of our experience.
Hannah
My husband, Kevin, and I have five children, four of whom have been cared for at Children’s Minnesota. Our daughter Vada was diagnosed with moderate hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy at birth and was admitted to the NICU for therapeutic hypothermia treatment. In 2020, we had spontaneous triplets and one of the triplets, Remy, was diagnosed with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder related to genetic mutations in the FBXO11 gene. He also has Lynch syndrome. Remy is followed by the Genetics department at Children’s Minnesota and has various therapies five times per week.
I joined the Family Advisory Council in 2022 because I was looking for a meaningful volunteer role and an opportunity to connect with other parents of medically complex children. I enjoy sharing our story with Children’s Minnesota staff and nurses and hope it improves the patient experience for future families.
Kalli
Hi! My name is Kalli and our family consists of myself and my husband, Brock, and our children, Octavia and Jack. Octavia was born in May 2023 at Children’s Minneapolis. We were anticipating a long NICU stay as our “best case scenario” should Octavia survive birth. In utero, she was diagnosed with several very serious congenital anomalies attributed to a rare genetic condition called Hardikar Syndrome. At the time of her birth, Octavia was the 16th ever known case of Hardikar in world history. Her most life-threatening anomaly was a severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which meant her diaphragm did not develop so her abdominal organs were in her chest compressing the area where her left lung should have been, pushing her heart over and in turn compressing her right lung as well.
On top of the challenges we already knew we would be facing, Octavia was born early at 33 weeks gestation via emergency c section after I developed maternal mirror syndrome.
Thanks to the incredible team at Children’s Minnesota, Octavia was successfully resuscitated after almost 15 minutes. I got to briefly see my baby, intubated and full of tubes and wires, before she was whisked away to the high level NICU where we would spend the next 3 months. Throughout the first stay we experienced deadly complications and emergency procedures but ultimately brought our girl home in August of that year with only a g tube as she still could not tolerate anything by mouth. Since the initial NICU stay, we have had several more planned and unplanned visits with Children’s Minnesota. We follow with almost every specialist and most therapies.
As a result, our miracle baby is a happy, healthy, and very silly little girl today. She has met and surpassed every expectation set for her because of the incredible compassion and dedication of the teams at Children’s. I decided to join the family advisory council both for my own healing and to give back to the people who gave me the opportunity to get to see my baby grow up. I also hope to help make systemic changes and increase visibility for rare medical families like my own to help them navigate their own journeys through hospital life.
Beth
My husband and I have 3 children. It is our middle child – Anna, that primarily ties us to Children’s MN. She was born with a rare chromosomal anomaly called Ring 21 Chromosome with Q deletions, which was diagnosed during a short stay in the Children’s NICU a few days after she was born. Because of her genetic diagnosis, Anna has a lot of medical complexities and follows with over 10 specialists. An additional significant diagnosis of her’s is immune Thrombotic Throbocytopenic Purpura (iTTP). We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with Anna’s care team at Children’s MN with whom we work collaboratively to help her grown and thrive.
I became involved with the Families as Partners Program in 2014, as a way to contribute to an organization that has been and continues to be a significant part of our lives. I am currently serving my 3rd term on the Family Advisory Council and appreciate the opportunity to provide the patient-family perspective on the FAC and in additional committees and experience teams.
Amanda
My husband and I are proud parents of three wonderful children: Jaden, Mikenna, and Lejla. Lejla kept us on our toes from the start—born after a high-risk pregnancy, she faced early challenges with weight gain and was eventually diagnosed with failure to thrive. A follow-up to an ED visit led to an MRI at Children’s Minnesota, where we learned Lejla had a brain tumor. She was one of the youngest patients diagnosed with DIPG, a terminal cancer upon diagnosis.
Our lives changed overnight. Over the next several years, Lejla underwent surgeries, radiation, infusions, clinical trials in Pittsburgh, and even compassionate use off-label trials with pharmaceutical organizations with a special interest in her diagnosis. Despite every effort, Lejla lost her battle in August 2017, just after her fourth birthday. In her memory, we partnered with other families to create the Heroes for Hope Endowment Fund at Children’s Minnesota, supporting research, staff development and family resources.
This experience transformed how I see life and deepened my commitment to compassionate, family-centered care. As a marketing professional in the legal and creative spaces, I’m passionate about improving the patient experience—not only for families, but for the community and staff who support them, as it is essential for the health of the organization. Being part of Children’s Minnesota allows me to stay connected and make a positive impact.
Abe
During the pregnancy, complications arose when my son was at 27 weeks of gestation, resulting in a 3-week antepartum stay and his preterm birth at 31 weeks. Graham spent 48 days in the NICU/Special Care unit, primarily being treated for respiratory distress and needing feeding and growing support.
I value the opportunity to educate staff by sharing my experience as a Seahorse Dad (birthing transgender father) and as an LGBTQ family. Sharing these perspectives supports the development of culturally competent care, which is essential in meeting the unique needs of diverse communities and ensuring a welcoming experience for all families.
Jamie
My husband Shaun and I have 3 children Harrison, Lincoln and Tallulah. Tallulah was born at 33 weeks. Prenatally she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Subsequently she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect Coarctation of Aorta. This required surgery at 3 weeks old. Her first 3 mths were spent between the Special Care Nursey, Cardiology, NICU and ICC units. After discharge we established care with many specialists at Children’s. She had additional diagnoses and surgeries for tethered spinal cord, latent duodenal atresia, acquired diaphragmatic hernia, and hearing loss. As well as multiple hospitalizations for respiratory distress.
Our family loves sports in particular football and baseball. We enjoy the outdoors hiking and biking. I joined the committee to first and foremost give back. We are genuinely Thankful for our daughter’s care. We also appreciate the opportunity to be a voice for families to improve future journey’s.
Nicky
Nicky and her husband Kyle are the loving parents of Anja, who is now 5 years old. Anja was born as a healthy baby at The Mother Baby Center. After months of on and off fevers and stomach problems, Anja was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at 9 months old. Complications resulted in ongoing visits and surgeries, and a new tumor found on her lung completely shook their world again. Anja is now in remission, and she continues to receive care at Children’s Minnesota for various reasons.
Nicky is involved in the Families as Partners Program which has given her opportunities to share her experiences and perspectives. Within the program, Nicky currently serves on the Family Advisory Council and the Journey to Zero Family Experience Team. Nicky is a Behavioral Specialist by profession and is an amazing advocate for patient family needs at Children’s Minnesota.
Tracie
My husband, Julio, and I are the proud parents of five children, Antonio, Sofia, Giovanni, Gabriela, and Angel. Our family’s journey has been shaped by deep love, resilience, and advocacy through complex medical experiences.
Angel was diagnosed with microcephaly at birth, and at five months old he was later diagnosed with malignant infantile spasms. Over the next 5 months, our family spent much of our time in and out of the hospital. When Angel was ten months old, we made the heartfelt decision to bring him home so he could experience the greatest possible quality of life. Through hospice care, we were blessed with six more months with him before he peacefully transitioned at sixteen months old.
Walking this journey has given our family firsthand understanding of what families experience when navigating critical illness, end-of-life care, and loss. I joined the Family Council to be a voice for parents, to advocate for compassionate, family-centered care, and to help ensure families feel supported, informed, and heard. My children are my greatest motivation, and Angel’s life continues to guide my purpose.
Crystal
My husband, Donnie, and I have two children, Landon and Alexei. Alexei was born during the pandemic, which brought its own challenges, and at just seven months old he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to untreated hypoglycemia at birth. In addition, Alexei is part of the Deaf community and has vision challenges related to his CP.
Being involved with Families as Partners has been an incredibly meaningful experience. Having the opportunity to provide input from a family perspective is essential. I truly believe it is the only way to gain a fully comprehensive understanding of the services and care families receive. I am deeply grateful that Children’s Minnesota values and trusts family voices, using our insight and guidance to continually improve the care they provide.
Shannon
My name is Shannon, and I’m Lauren’s mom. Our family’s journey with Children’s Minnesota (Minneapolis) spans two very different moments in her life.
Lauren was first hospitalized as a two-month-old with a severe, unexplained digestive illness. Those weeks were frightening, but with expert, compassionate care, she began to tolerate food, grow, and eventually recover.
Seventeen years later, we returned under far more critical circumstances when Lauren developed Lemierre’s syndrome, leading to sepsis, pulmonary emboli, and an ICU stay. Once again, the skill and humanity of her care team saved her life.
Lauren has since graduated high school, earned her BSN, completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Midwifery, and recently began a new role at the Minnesota Birth Center as a Midwife. We are profoundly grateful for her recovery, while also acknowledging the lasting impact medical trauma can have on families. I joined the Family Advisory Council to give back, elevate the family perspective, and help ensure care at Children’s Minnesota remains compassionate and family-centered.
Nicky
My husband and I are parents of two children who have received care through Children’s Minnesota. Our family’s journey—including navigating a Deaf and Hard of Hearing diagnosis, congenital CMV (cCMV), and additional medical complexities—has deeply shaped who I am as a parent and an advocate.
Like many families, we were often learning as we went—trying to understand new diagnoses, figure out what questions to ask, and find our footing in unfamiliar systems. Those early experiences, and the people who walked alongside us, inspired me to join the Family Advisory Council.
I serve on the council to help ensure families feel heard, supported, and empowered—especially when things feel overwhelming. I bring both my lived experience as a parent and my professional background to help strengthen communication, reduce barriers, and drive meaningful, family-centered change.
It’s an honor to work alongside other families and the Children’s Minnesota team in support of children and the people who love them.
Join the Family Advisory Council
As the family member of one of our patients, you have important views and experiences that Children’s cannot get from any other source. Consider the opportunity to contribute your unique perspective as a member of the Family Advisory Council.
How to apply
Applications are always welcome for consideration.
Becoming a council member is a three-step process:
- Submit the member application form.
- Meet with current members of the Family Advisory Council (meet and greets are scheduled by FAC leadership).
- Complete onboarding requirements if new to the Families as Partners program.
Questions?
If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected].
