PFCC - Newsletter

You can learn about Patient and Family Centred Care activities at Alberta Children's Hospital by reading our monthly e-newsletter - Together We're Better. This newsletter will give you insight into Family Centred Care Initiatives, profile our Family Centred Care champions, and keep you up to date on upcoming education opportunities. Archived copies are available on the FCRC website.

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December 2024 Edition

ACH NICU Celebrates World Prematurity Day

The Alberta Children's Hospital NICU was thrilled to host a special event for World Prematurity Day, a global day dedicated to raising awareness of preterm birth and celebrating the strength and resilience of premature babies and their families. This event marked one of the first gatherings on the unit since the pandemic, and it was heartwarming to see families connecting and mingling in a way that doesn’t often happen in the NICU. Approximately 40 people, including families and staff, stopped by throughout the day to celebrate together. A special thank you to the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation for their generous contribution of resource materials and swag bags, and to Save-On-Foods for sponsoring delicious cupcakes that added a festive touch. It was truly wonderful to see families come together to support one another and share in this meaningful day.

PFCC Week 2024 Recap

This year marked the 13th annual Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) Week at Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH), taking place November 18th-22. Our theme this year was Connecting Through Shared Commitments, through which we highlighted AHS's shared commitments and celebrated the wonderful work being done at ACH.


The week was launched with a delightful performance from a choir from New West Society followed by some delicious cake!

PFCC Week Team Challenge

This year, 22 teams entered the PFCC Week Team Challenge, where the task was to decorate a wooden speech bubble in the theme of Connecting Through Shared Commitments. Throughout the week, people cast their vote for their favorite and judges evaluated the entries based on the relevancy to the theme and overall creativity.

First Place

The Tree Amigos - Porters

Second Place

The Commitment Builders - Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC)

Third Place

ACH Social Workers

Congratulations to the PFCC Week Staff Champions!

Patients and Families sent in the names of 104 staff, physicians, and volunteers to be recognized as ACH Champions. Each champion received a commemorative pin and certificate with a note from patients and families about how they felt their healthcare journeys were impacted by our champions.

Leader and Family Walkabouts

During PFCC Week, patients and families joined ACH leaders to walk around the hospital acknowledging staff, physicians, and volunteers for all the wonderful work they do. Over 1100 candy packages were distributed across 17 walkabouts, covering all corners of the hospital and Rotary Flames House.

PFCC Week Displays & Photobooth

Throughout the week, interactive displays were in the main gathering space, encouraging reflection on the theme, Connecting Through Shared Commitments.


By the end of the week, our speech bubble display was full of vibrant notes displaying the commitments held by ACH patients, families, and staff. There was also some creativity flowing at the craft table and photobooth.

PFCC Week Celebration

We ended the week with a celebration event where we honoured the staff champions and announced the winners of the team challenge. A parent of an ACH patient, Sajeema, shared these beautiful words during her family story at the event:


"I am filled with gratitude for the team that has become our family. [My son] is alive and thriving today because of the dedication, compassion, and support of everyone involved in his care. They went beyond their duty to understand our needs, our culture, and our journey. I hope our story reminds you that your work has an immense impact on families like mine. Thank you for every act of kindness, every moment of patience, and every bit of support. [My son]’s journey is far from over, but with this team by our side, I know we’re not alone. We are forever grateful for the impact you’ve made in our lives, and I thank you for everything you’ve done to keep us strong."

Farewell 2024!


May you and your family have a wonderful holiday season full of quality time with friends/family, rest/relaxation, and yummy food!


See you in the new year.