A new collaboration between four local institutions aims to enhance the health, well-being and care of people in the region.
Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor Regional Hospital, the University of Windsor and St. Clair College have officially launched WE-SPARK Health Institute to help researchers address regional health issues.
"By bringing us all together, really that can elevate the kinds of questions that we're asking, it's going to streamline and provide resources so that we can really make these research grants possible," said Executive Director Dr. Lisa Porter.
The health institute has been in the works for nearly ten years and Porter says they've already seen what collaboration can achieve.
"We have seen a tripling of health research grants coming to our region, we've increased the number of health researchers that are here in Windsor-Essex. We have an increased number of clinicians that are doing clinical research, and we have an increased number of clinical trials," said Porter.
Porter says research shows that patients involved in clinical trials and research programs have better health outcomes than those that don't.
The four institutions have agreed to work together to improve the research field in Windsor-Essex. The research will include cancer, brain health, sexual health, rehabilitation and population health.