Henry Ford Health Patient Engaged Research Center’s (PERC) mission is to translate patient voices into evidence-based care through community engagement and world-class research methods. A big part of that effort is the Patient Advisor Program which consists of over 400 patients and caregivers that volunteer their time and provide feedback to help keep healthcare and research patient-centered. Patient Advisors contribute by serving on councils, committees, and projects within the system to provide their patient/caregiver perspectives on healthcare initiatives, processes, and research efforts. PERC’s goal has always been to change the narrative from assuming what patients and caregivers want to actually asking patients and caregivers what they want, and that only happens by involving them from the start.
Since 2017, the Patient Engaged Research Center (PERC) has hosted the Annual Patient Advisor Retreat to bring Patient Advisors and Henry Ford Health staff together to celebrate accomplishments and reinforce the importance of partnering with patients and families. Each retreat offers meaningful speakers, participation from senior leaders, skill-building opportunities, networking and mingling, and chances to learn about councils, committees, and ongoing improvement efforts across the system. In recent years, the retreat has grown to include patients, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare teams from across Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences. This expanded focus highlights the vital role of patient and family advisors not only in healthcare improvement but also in patient and community engaged research. Together, these annual gatherings continue to strengthen collaboration, celebrate engagement, and advance our shared mission of elevating patient and family voices.
This page contains citations, presentation materials, and other information available from PERC and its annual Patient Advisor Retreats. For more information on PERC, visit its page here.
