Gillette Family Advisory Council

The Gillette Family Advisory Council (FAC) is a diverse group of parents, adult patients and staff who are committed to promoting family-centered care and improving the quality of care at Gillette. 

The FAC serves as an advisory resource for programs, departments, publications, committees or projects at Gillette by:

• Providing an avenue for understanding the needs of patients and families who use Gillette services
• Offering suggestions for improvement 
• Strengthening communication among patients, families, caregivers and staff

Eligibility:

The Family Advisory Council (FAC) is a dedicated group of up to 13 members, including:

• Parents and caregivers who have used Gillette services in the past year 
• Patients aged 18 and older who have used Gillette services in the past year 
• Gillette staff as co-facilitators 

FAC Member Expectations:

• Participation in one-hour meetings every other month
  • Meetings will be held virtually until further notice. 
• Commitment to serve on the council for at least one term of two years
• Commitment to improving care for all Gillette patients and families 

Application Process:

Applications are accepted through October 31 each year. Interviews and final selections occur in November and December. New family council members begin their two-year commitment in January. The first meeting of the year will be used for orientation and introductions of new and current members.

Complete and Send the DHS Background Study Form

Please email the completed DHS Background Study form to Liz Forrest.

Family Advisory Council - Current Members

Mikaela A.
Rebecca A. 
Vanessa B.
Audrey B.
Kirsten C.
Alexa D.
Michelle K.
Stacy M. 
Jackie R.
Nicole T.
Jim W.
Nate W.
Jake Y.

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Family Members
Sawyer (son) and Seth

Home Town
Prescott, WI

Gillette’s Impact
Our son, Sawyer, was referred by the genetics department at Minnesota Children’s Hospital to Gillette Children’s when he was 18 months old. We credit Gillette’s therapies with getting our son to walk and are so grateful to them! We see multiple services at Gillette and are thankful for the all the services our son receives. I have decided to volunteer on the Family Advisory Council to give back to an organization that has gone above and beyond to help our family.

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Diagnosis/Primary Condition

Nicholas had bi-lateral clubbed feet and knee complications. 

Gillette's Impact

Nicholas first visited Gillette at 4 days old when he met the orthopedic team and had the first of many casting appointments.  He has been seeing the doctors at Gillette his entire life and has spent time in the clinic, physical therapy and several overnight stays for surgeries.  We have been pleased with Nicholas’s care and all the staff we have worked with from the surgeons to the administrative assistants.  The team has been very caring and supportive along the way.  Most importantly, we’ve never felt like he was a number, the personal care and attention is genuine at Gillette. 

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Family Members
Adryana and Alyssa

Hometown
Lakeville, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Alyssa has a traumatic brain injury since she was 5 months old and Adryana was diagnosed with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other complex issues

Gillette's Impact
Both of our girls receive top notch care. Their providers can communicate with each other easily. All appointments and medical history is in one place on line for me. Adryana has 6 different specialists at Gillette we would not be where we are at in her level of comfort and our ability to care for her and her to have the best life possible if it wasn’t for thier providers, including occupational and physical therapists.We seem to always be at the doctor's, and having this hospital with these doctors and nurses just makes it easier .

Family Members
Jack (Husband), and triplets Thomas, Ryan, and Catherine

Hometown
Chanhassen, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral palsy

Gillette's Impact
Shorty after Ryan's diagnosis around age 1, my husband and I transferred Ryan's care to Gillette given Gillette's leadership role in cerebral palsy treatment. The care Ryan has received at Gillette has enabled him to progress towards developmental milestones and, more importantly, enjoy the quality of life we pray that each of our children can experience. The ear to ear grin on his face as he chases his siblings using his walker is priceless. We continue to be grateful for the clinical care Ryan receives at Gillette and for the transparency, support, and resources we receive as a family.

Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. He is a former 26 week preemie twin.

Gillette's Impact
My son has been working with Gillette since he was 14 months old. They have been there every step of the way during his diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and have continued to work with our son addressing his spasticity by having the SDR surgery and now next summer having the SEMLs (Single Event Multi-Level Surger) to correct the bone alignment. We are grateful for all the care received from Gillette, for not only our son, but the entire family. 

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Family Members
Wesley, Waylon and Paul (husband)

Hometown
Eden Prairie, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral Palsy (hemiplegia) and Epilepsy

Gillette's Impact
When Wesley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, we had no idea what to expect. Gillette has been with us every step of the way. Our care team has always gone above and beyond with consistent compassion, hope and high level expertise. When navigating through difficult situations, we have always felt empathy and top notch bed side manner.

Family Members
Elijah, Adeline, Jason (Husband)

Hometown
Blaine, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
AP4-HSP (SPG52)

Gillette's Impact
Gillette Children's has allowed us to be parents and not try to be doctors. We have also been included as full members of his care team where our opinions matter.

Family Members
Grace, Judson and Althea

Hometown
LeSueur, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral Palsy

Gillette's Impact
Gillette creates an environment that does more than support its patients medical needs, it creates a welcoming environment. Our child knows and trusts all of his providers, they share his joys, challenges and empower him in his care.

Diagnosis/Primary Condition

I have spastic quad cerebral palsy.

Gillette's Impact

Gillette became a significant part of my life in the late 1990’s after I came to Gillette for a gait analysis and follow up surgeries and physical therapy. I’m thankful for the care I receive at Gillette. The care I receive from so many people at Gillete helps me live life to the fullest.

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Family Members
Brittany (Wife), James, Lucy

Hometown
Waverly, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Spinal Muscular Atrophy - Type 2

Gillette's Impact
Our multidisciplinary team at Gillette is fantastic. It is very helpful in our health journey that all of our specialists are in one building and communicate so well with each other. Due to James' diagnosis, neurology is our lead. Dr. Richardson is wonderful because he makes James feel like a person, not just a patient. He shows interest in James at each interaction, which helps reduce anxiety about care and contribute to a more pleasant experience each time we are at Gillette.

"Gillette has been and continues to be an important part of our family's life as we navigate through our children’s health. It (the Family Advisory Council) is a way for me to give back to the Gillette community for all they have done for our kids!"

- Susan G., Former Gillette FAC Member