American Heritage Credit Union’s Kids-N-Hope Foundation Donates Interactive Robot to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
On Thursday, September 5, 2019, American Heritage's President & CEO, Bruce Foulke, and Senior Vice President of Business Development, Dorian Smith, presented NAO, an interactive emotional support robot, to Douglas Hock, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
“We are excited to add NAO the Robot to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s medical staff,” stated Bruce K. Foulke, Chairman of the Kids-N-Hope Foundation and President/CEO of American Heritage. “NAO is not only meant to enhance the options for the patients of the hospital, but also it provides a new perspective for children going through programs in a non-traditional and arguably less intimidating way. Kids just want to be kids, and we hope NAO creates connections with the patients and gives them motivation and excitement with them time at the hospital.”
NAO is a robot designed to use artificial intelligence to improve the healthcare experience for patients and families at CHOP. NAO has the ability to sing, dance, speak multiple languages, and engage intelligently with those who interact with it. CHOP initially plans to use the robot as a welcoming tool, one that will regularly participate in the hospital’s music therapy program and live television shows. Soon, it will participate in a Bingo program, calling out the numbers and announcing the names of children who win. CHOP has plans in the future to use NAO for bedside visits, helping to motivate children to participate in activities or complete therapy sessions.
The Kids-N-Hope Foundation was founded by American Heritage Credit Union in 1996. It raises money to support CHOP and many other hospitals in American Heritage’s field of membership. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $1,600,000 for local pediatric healthcare. Through the support of the Foundation, the hospital is able to offer a Music Therapy Program to the patients and has allowed the hospital to purchase musical equipment, provide a music therapist and bring in musical performers specially trained in assisting children with developmental disabilities.
About American Heritage Credit Union
American Heritage Credit Union is a $2.6 billion, member-owned financial cooperative serving more than 800 Workplace Partners and more than 190,000 members, with more than 35 locations across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Camden Counties. Founded in 1948, American Heritage Credit Union is now one of the 100 largest credit unions in the United States and has been named a Best-in-State Credit Union by Forbes for two consecutive years. For more information about American Heritage Credit Union please visit AmericanHeritageCU.org.
