St. Clair College signed an agreement this week, joining four other institutions to form a regional health institute.
The College, along with the University of Windsor, Windsor Regional Hospital and Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, signed the agreement to form the newly branded entity, which will be called WE-SPARK Health Institute. The institute will help establish research pipelines that address regional health issues, advance innovation and technology and drive outcomes that support healthier communities.
“It is the most far-reaching and far-sighted collaboration we’ve had in the health field during our decades-long partnerships with the university, the hospitals and a number of local clinics, agencies and medical practitioners,” said College President Patti France, adding that professors are looking forward to their expanded roles in research.
Lisa Porter, executive director of WE-SPARK and a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Windsor, said the initiative has been in the works for a decade. “We are in a unique position in Windsor to come together and raise the bar for innovation, training and healthcare delivery that directly impacts the health of our community.”
Research areas will include cancer, brain health and neuroscience, sexual health, rehabilitation and population health.