Dr. Sean B. Rourke, University of Windsor alumnus and professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Royal Society of Canada’s Eric Jackman Prize for research in the behavioural and social sciences. (UNITY HEALTH TORONTO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
From his Toronto office, Dr. Sean Rourke is tracking a bold experiment in public health — a national network of smart vending machines designed to deliver life-saving resources directly to people who might never set foot in a clinic.
For Rourke, every item dispensed through Our Healthbox represents a tangible act of prevention, dignity and trust.
It is the kind of measurable, lasting impact that has now been recognized at the highest level.
“Research only matters if it reaches people and makes a difference,” said Rourke.
“The goal is simple—meet people where they are, remove barriers and make care possible.”
The University of Windsor graduate has been named the inaugural recipient of the RSC Eric Jackman Prize, one of the country’s newest and most prestigious honours in the behavioural and social sciences.
This award honours innovative and sustained scientific achievements that protect communities, foster resilience and improve lives through behavioural and social science research.
Rourke’s recognition reflects not only his contributions to public health research, but also the impact of UWindsor’s academic programs and alumni network.
Former University of Windsor Chancellor Dr. Eric Jackman, for whom the award is named, framed its purpose clearly.
“Sean’s work exemplifies what this prize was created to celebrate—research that does not stay locked in the ivory towers of academia but moves boldly into communities where it changes lives.”
Born and raised in Windsor, Rourke (BA Hons psychology ’89; BSc biology ’87) studied at the University of Windsor before earning his PhD at the University of California, San Diego.
His story is part of a broader Rourke family legacy at UWindsor.
Rourke’s father, Byron P. Rourke (BA Hons ’62), professor of psychology and University Professor emeritus (1966–2011), helped shape generations of scholars.
His mother, Carolyne J. Rourke (BA ’63, BFA ’91), siblings Philip M. Rourke (BA Hons ’86, International Relations), E. Damon Rourke (BComm Hons ’91, BA Hons ’93, Public Administration) and G. Bernard Rourke (BA ’93, Political Science; BASc Hons ’97) further extended this legacy, illustrating a remarkable commitment to education and public service.
His early scholarship in neuropsychology laid the foundation for a career defined by rigour, collaboration and practical problem-solving.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1995 when combination therapy transformed HIV treatment in Canada.
Rourke was recruited to help launch the country’s first clinic dedicated to HIV-related brain health, setting his research on an implementation-focused path — designing and testing public health interventions that work in real-world settings.
Today, Rourke is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a scientist and clinical neuropsychologist at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto).
Through REACH Nexus—a national research group based at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital—he and his collaborators have advanced a suite of initiatives that remove barriers to testing and care.
In 2020, Rourke led a landmark clinical study that helped secure Health Canada approval for Canada’s first HIV self-test. Since then, he has helped advance approval for three additional rapid point-of-care tests for HIV and syphilis, expanding access to timely diagnosis.
Dr. Sean B. Rourke stands beside an Our Healthbox smart vending machine, part of a national initiative providing free and easy access to HIV self-tests and health supplies. (UNITY HEALTH TORONTO/University of Windsor)
In 2023, he launched Our Healthbox, a groundbreaking initiative that reimagines how health care reaches people on the margins.
The smart vending machines operate 24/7, offering free, low-barrier access to HIV self-testing kits and other wellness supplies in locations where traditional health services may be difficult to access.
What began as a pilot project is now a growing network serving 22 communities across Canada, including in the Northwest Territories, with plans for further expansion.
In 2025, working alongside Indigenous leaders and health partners, Rourke played a key role in establishing the Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre, named from an Ojibwe term meaning “carefulness and preparedness.”
The centre provides testing, treatment and connections to culturally safe health services for thousands of people living in Prairie and northern regions of the country.
Colleagues across Canada and the United States describe Rourke’s approach as both uncompromisingly scientific and deeply human.
Dr. Thomas Wong, director general of the Office of Population and Public Health and chief medical officer of public health at Indigenous Services Canada, said Rourke’s work “has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people by improving both the quality and length of life for those affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections.”
“Dr. Rourke is a rare and catalytic force for public good — combining scientific excellence with the trust of the communities he serves.”
Bill Flanagan, president of the University of Alberta and former leader of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, added that Rourke’s vision and commitment to translating research into action “have transformed public health policy, research practice and the well-being of tens of thousands of people.”
From Windsor’s classrooms to national leadership, Rourke credits early mentors and the UWindsor community with shaping his approach to complex challenges.
“Windsor gave me a foundation in curiosity and collaboration,” he said. “It taught me to connect the science to people’s real needs and to build teams that reflect the communities we serve.”
The Eric Jackman Prize recognizes research that delivers tangible benefits to society—initiatives that reduce risk, build resilience and enhance overall well-being.
Rourke’s portfolio epitomizes those aims.
By integrating program and implementation science with community partnership, he has shown how to reach people who do not or cannot access traditional healthcare due to stigma, discrimination, poverty or geography.
Dr. Robert K. Heaton, emeritus professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, underscored the broader significance of the award.
“Dr. Rourke exemplifies the qualities this prestigious award is designed to recognize—outstanding leadership in building and promoting research networks, fostering collaboration and advancing knowledge mobilization with international impact.”
For the University of Windsor, the announcement signals more than alumni pride. It underscores the institution’s growing profile in research that delivers real-world health outcomes for people and their communities.
Rourke’s message to students and emerging researchers is direct and hopeful.
“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “Follow your passion, stay curious and listen to people with lived experience. Real change happens when you understand the barriers they face. When you serve those most in need, you can make a difference in humankind for all.”
With the RSC Eric Jackman Prize, Dr. Sean Rourke’s work is recognized as a model for how research can — and should — move beyond the lab to improve lives.
It is a win for public health, for communities across Canada and for the University of Windsor, which continues to educate leaders who turn evidence into action.