From Patient to Volunteer
Published Saturday, April 20, 2024
Paul Carr - Patient Family Advisor (PFA) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre since November 2012.
Paul Carr has been a Patient Family Advisor (PFA) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre since November 2012. While working mainly within the Cardiovascular and Stroke Program, Paul has been a Patient Family Advisor to many initiatives during his tenure as a PFA. He has served on many committees including: Stroke Unit Working Group, the Ethics Committee, the Workplace Violence Prevention Committee, and the Co-design Working Group. Paul generously contributes his time and knowledge to bringing the patient perspective to these committees – which is instrumental in helping to improve the patient experience.
Paul was born in Sault Ste. Marie and raised in Thunder Bay. In his professional career, Paul spent 37 years in the education field as a teacher, principal, university lecturer and is a past president of the Catholic Principals Council of Ontario.
When asked why he became a Patient Family Advisor, Paul responded, “I was absolutely amazed at the outstanding level of care I received throughout my patient journey. The clinical care along with the caring and compassion were incredible! I thought that the best way to say thank you was to volunteer as a PFA to support those professionals who work in our hospital to try to improve patient outcomes.”
Paul remains active in the PFA Council, where he is a positive role model for others. In addition to serving as one of two PFA Council Co-chairs, Paul currently sits on the Senior Leadership Council and the Cardiovascular & Stroke Working Group - which is working diligently to bring full cardiovascular services to TBRHSC. “This is a really exciting project as it will improve the outcomes for so many patients in Thunder Bay, and Northwestern Ontario. It is a privilege to bring the patient experience to this project.”
In 2022, Paul was one of two PFAs representing the PFA Council as part of the Strategic Planning Committee, “I am looking forward to the continued implementation of the new strategic plan that will help support staff, bring equity and inclusion, promote research and improve patient experience at our hospital. I think that the plan is excellent, and I am looking forward to participating in that as a volunteer.”
“I find supporting other patients in my role as a PFA is a very rewarding experience. I always get more than I give!”
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Patient Family Advisor please visit http://tbrhsc.net/join-our-team/become-patient-family-advisor or contact tbrhsc.pfcc@tbh.net or call 807-684-7322 (PFCC).