Officials holding sparklersStriking sparks: celebrating a new partner joining the WE-Spark Health Institute are officials (from left) Bill Marra of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Lisa Porter of WE-Spark Health Institute, Patti France of St. Clair College, Kristin Kennedy of Erie Shores HealthCare, David Musyj of Windsor Regional Hospital, and Chris Houser of the University of Windsor.

Erie Shores HealthCare partners in WE-Spark Health Institute

The Leamington-based hospital Erie Shores HealthCare joined the University of Windsor, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital as an official partner of WE-Spark Health Institute on Wednesday.

The institute brings together health researchers and healthcare professionals across the Windsor-Essex region, with a vision to establish a thriving and engaged research community driving advancements in health, says executive director Lisa Porter.

“Health research has far-reaching benefits,” says Dr. Porter, a UWindsor professor of biomedical sciences. “It creates an academic culture that attracts and retains the best and brightest in healthcare, keeps our professionals current, supports the best learning experience for students, empowers and educates the community, delivers new therapies, brings in new infrastructure, provides answers to healthcare problems unique to our region, and aids in rapid adoption of the best prevention and care practices.”

She notes that patients treated in institutions that conduct medical research live longer: “This is not an advantage that can be reserved for Ontarians living only in our larger cities; we need and deserve that here in Windsor-Essex.”

Kristin Kennedy, president and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare, says it must grow and evolve with the region.

“Key to this outcome is continued close collaboration with our regional healthcare and education partners, with joining WE-Spark Health Institute being an exciting next step in our efforts to drive best practices and foster an environment that helps attract and retain top healthcare professionals,” she says.