The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF) has become the first healthcare organization in Canada to launch an artificial intelligence-powered virtual engagement officer. This technology, called Emma, is designed to help donors and supporters stay connected with CKHAF and the impact they make with their donations by sharing updates, answering questions, and give personalized opportunities to help local healthcare. “Our donors are at the heart of everything we do, and we are already looking for ways to make their experience with our foundation more personal, accessible, and meaningful,” said Christine Mitchell, president and CEO of CKHAF. “We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in healthcare philanthropy, but what excites us the most is what this can mean for our supporters. Emma gives us another way to stay connected, share the impact donors are making, and help people engage with our mission in ways that are relevant to them.” Emma was tested throughout the first part of the year, emailing and keeping in contact with a select group of CKHAF donors. “Technology will continue to change how organizations connect with the people they serve, but for us, the purpose remains the same. Every gift begins with a person who cares about healthcare in this community,” Mitchell added. “If we can make it easier for that person to connect with us, learn about the difference they are making, and find the opportunities that matter to them, that’s a meaningful step forward.”
