Patient and Family Advisory Council Co-Chair Announcement
CHATHAM-KENT: July 14, 2026 – On behalf of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is pleased to announce that volunteer Patient Experience Advisor, Crystal Doherty, has accepted the position of the PFAC Co-Chair. Effective September 1, 2026, Crystal will work closely with the Patient Relations Specialist and the Director of Patient Experience and Communications to lead Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) at CKHA.
Crystal brings a strong commitment to PFCC, grounded in both her personal experiences and professional development. She is a mother of two and a university student pursuing a degree in Indigenous social work. Outside of her studies, Crystal enjoys cooking, baking, and creating art with her children.
Motivated by her own journey with autoimmune and chronic health conditions, Crystal joined CKHA’s PFAC in September 2024 to help ensure that patient and family needs remain a central focus in care delivery. She values clear communication, personalized care, and supporting individuals throughout their wellness journeys.
Crystal brings extensive leadership experience from business ownership and over 20 years in management and supervisory roles. Her background includes recruitment, mentorship, staff training, and fostering inclusive, respectful environments where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued. As an Indigenous social work student, she is guided by principles of advocacy, cultural humility, and relational practice, which are values that closely align with CKHA’s values statement.
She has also demonstrated strong community engagement through her academic work, including successfully securing funding and partnerships to establish a youth drop-in program in Ridgetown.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Crystal Doherty as our new Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) Co-Chair,” said Fannie Vavoulis, Director of Patient Experience and Communications. “Crystal brings a fresh perspective to the role, backed by an impressive combination of leadership excellence, personal experience, and a strong educational background. I am excited to work alongside her as we continue to listen to our community and pursue the best patient experience possible.”
Crystal’s collaborative leadership style, passion for advocacy, and dedication to amplifying patient and family voices make her an excellent fit for this role. As the new Co-Chair, she is committed to supporting engagement and ensuring that patient and family perspectives continue to inform health care planning and decision-making.
Please join the organization in welcoming Crystal to her new role.
– 30-
About CKHA
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is a 210-bed community hospital serving the residents of Chatham and rural Kent. Located on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy, CKHA provides care to Caldwell First Nation, Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation), and Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit (Delaware Nation).
CKHA delivers equitable, high-quality, and safe care at its two sites in Chatham and Wallaceburg. CKHA collaborates with diverse health and community partners to meet the unique needs of the population it serves. The organization’s dedicated team includes approximately 1,500 staff, 200 physicians, and 300 volunteers.
Our Focus is You. As your community hospital, we value easy-to-access health care rooted in equity and kindness.
CKHA is proud to be recognized as an inclusive workplace of choice, earning a spot on Forbes’ 2026 list of Canada’s Best Employers. The organization provides a comprehensive range of Programs and services—from internal medicine and surgery to women & children’s health and critical care. CKHA cares for tens of thousands of inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients each year and is a Schedule 1 facility under Ontario’s Mental Health Act. With state-of-the-art diagnostics and technology, CKHA is equipped to support the diverse and evolving needs of its community.
For more information, visit www.ckha.on.ca
For more information, please contact:
Fannie Vavoulis, Director, Communications & Patient Experience
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
fvavoulis@ckha.on.ca
519.352.6400 x 6143
