University Medical Center invites patients and their families to play a direct role in improving the care it provides through its Patient Advisory Committee. The committee, created in 2023, brings together patients, family members, providers and clinic staff to exchange experiences, identify challenges and suggest ideas for strengthening patient‑centered care.
Committee members offer insights into a wide range of topics that affect the patient experience, from rights and responsibilities to access to care and the flow of office visits. Discussions often include the role of team‑based care, shared clinical decision‑making and ways to improve billing processes and financial resources.
“By sharing their perspectives, committee members help shape improvements that support both quality and safety while reinforcing the clinic’s mission to serve the community,” said Dr. Louanne Friend, associate professor of community medicine and population health at the College of Community Health Sciences, which operates UMC. She is also the assistant director for research and quality improvement for The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which the College operates, and she is a registered nurse.
The committee meets three to four times a year in the UMC Community Room, located at 850 Peter Bryce Blvd., Tuscaloosa, Ala., 35401. Meals are provided, and parking is free.
The Patient Advisory Committee is free to join, and patients who are interested can apply on UMC’s website.