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WINDSOR, ON, September 6, 2023 - - WE-SPARK Health Institute has released its 4th Annual Impact Report covering May 2022-April 2023.
“Since WE-SPARK Health Institute’s official launch three years ago, our region has established a strong governance model for increasing and enhancing health research. Local health researchers have attracted almost $40M in external funding to the region; tracked the participation of more than 9,000 people in local clinical trials and research projects; engaged in almost 700 collaborations; and provided valuable experience and training opportunities for more than 1,850 St. Clair College and University of Windsor students. Through the WE-SPARK grants program, 67 local grants have been awarded totaling more than $1.1M, which has subsequently rolled into $4.5M of national or international funding for our region. These grants move innovative ideas forward and have employed over 140 highly qualified personnel (HQP). In November, we celebrated Erie Shores HealthCare joining as an official partner of WE-SPARK Health Institute. This strong, progressive community hospital is committed to the values of collaboration, quality, reliability, and kindness, making them a perfect addition to WE-SPARK. Our synergy led to these achievements, and working together, we will continue to build capacity and connections and are excited for what we will accomplish together.” – WE-SPARK Health Institute Board of Trustees
2022-23 highlights include:
- grew membership by 25% to 1,070 members;
- hosted its first health research conference with over 250 participants;
- increased external research funding by 180% to $17,530.00;
- launched a WE-SPARK app to help researchers connect and collaborate;
- hosted its 5th WE-SPARK grants competition, awarding $340,000.00 to local research projects with 14 collaborating institutions;
- facilitated 21 clinical professorships; and
- delivered 27 events with over 1,000 participants.
“In our first four years we established a strong common vision, united our strengths, accelerated our research activities and created an environment that allows health research to grow within the partner organizations and as a collective. We have a more collaborative and connected research ecosystem, making diversity and inclusion a priority and supported researchers at all stages of their career. We leveraged technology to bring together a multidisciplinary and diverse health research network and ended our year by hosting a celebratory event that reminded our community of the impact of health research and what can be accomplished when we have a common vision,” said WE-SPARK director Dr. Lisa Porter.
“As we look forward to Year 5, we will continue to elevate research excellence and success. With the new hospital system moving forward and a joint commitment to a health innovation hub, WE-SPARK is focused on creating an environment that is attractive to the brightest minds and demonstrating the importance of health research for the economic development of our region.”
WE-SPARK Health Institute is supported by Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, the University of Windsor and Windsor Regional Hospital. It is directed by a Board of Trustees made up of its leaders Kristin Kennedy President & CEO, Bill Marra President & CEO, Patti France President, Robert Gordon President & Vice-Chancellor, and David Musyj President & CEO respectively.
The full report can be found here.
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