The Community Connector

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Vol. 1, No. 2 September 2020

Welcome to the fall edition of The Community Connector - a newsletter for everyone interested in health research in our Windsor-Essex region, and beyond.

WE-SPARK Impact Report 2019-2020

Uniting Strengths

Our first annual Impact Report showcases the unique research strengths of our partner institutions and some of our most notable accomplishments as a health institute over the past year.

"It is remarkable what we have been able to achieve together, and this is just the beginning.” - Dr. Lisa Porter, Executive Director.

Read the Impact Report here.

Patti France, President

St. Clair College

“We are thrilled with the impact this partnership has had on our community in its first few months of existence. I believe this collaborative approach will result in a community that will be a model of health for others to emulate.”

Robert Gordon, President &

Vice-Chancellor University of Windsor

“It is remarkable how WE-SPARK is evolving and growing. It’s impressive what can be accomplished when partners work together."

Janice Kaffer, President & CEO

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

"When I reflect on all that the team at WE-SPARK has accomplished in one year it is outstanding. We look forward to advancing health research leading to a better future for our Windsor-Essex Health System.”

David Musyj, President & CEO

Windsor Regional Hospital.

“By bringing together the brightest and best from the local academic and healthcare sectors we are enhancing the system of care and positioning the region as a leader in medical research.”

Looking Ahead

1st Quarter Progress Report

Our year ahead will be focused on ACHIEVING MORE, TOGETHER. Each quarter WE-SPARK will be publishing a report that highlights progress on our milestones.

Our first report for 2020-2021 covers May - July 2020.

Read the 1st Quarter Progress Report here.

New Grants for Health Research & Education

Seed funding is critical in moving research programs forward. In July, WE-SPARK’s Igniting Discovery Grants program announced a call to stimulate the development of early-stage, novel, and innovative health research and education projects across Windsor-Essex. The successful recipients and details of their exciting projects will be announced in November.

Participate in a Study!

The new WE-SPARK Research Registry brings our local research studies and participants together in one central location. Researchers post their studies and our Windsor-Essex community has the opportunity to learn about local health projects and participate. Whether registering a study, or participating in one, everyone can play a role in informing future health practices and decisions that will have a positive impact on our local community and around the world. Learn more here.

Join Us

WE-SPARK Researchers and Healthcare Executives Pair Up for COVID Conversations

Our popular WE-SPARK COVID Conversations continues with an added community perspective. Our WE-SPARK grant recipients are pairing up with healthcare executives to bring their unique perspectives and updates on local research. The series runs through September. Register here.

WCRG's 5th Biennial International Cancer Research Conference

The Windsor Cancer Research Group, WE-SPARK's flagship program, has launched its registration and abstract submission for their 5th Biennial International Cancer Research Conference – Virtual Edition. The conference is an excellent forum to showcase, connect, and strengthen cancer research excellence. Click here for more information.

Research Fun @ Home

Exciting the next generation of health researchers is key to WE-SPARK’s future. Whether you are a parent with kids working from home or a teacher looking for local resources to add to your teaching toolkit, share these activities with the kids in your life – or try them yourself…you might learn something new!

Which tissue is normal, and which has cancer? Find out how to tell the difference, and then test your knowledge with this interactive activity.

Is there a doctor in the house? Try it and find out!

In The News

A St. Clair College research project is showing promising results in accurately forecasting the number of COVID-19 cases in Windsor-Essex. Read more.

A research team at WRH is part of a national project aimed at helping patients with COVID-19 recover by using antibodies from patients who have already had the virus. Read more.

UWindsor student Ryan Palazzolo is working on a knowledge translation project that will help researchers apply for grants, communicate with other experts, and explain their work to the general public. Read more.

Click here for more news stories.

Stay connected with us:

519.253.3000 x 4394

wesparkhealth@uwindsor.ca

401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor ON N9B 3P4

www.wesparkhealth.com

Support WE-SPARK: wesparkhealth.com/donate

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