Do you have an idea for a COVID-related project, or expertise to offer? The WE-Spark Health Institute has a new tool to match community partners to make ideas become reality.

WE-Spark, a joint venture of the University of Windsor, Windsor Regional Hospital, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, and St. Clair College, has launched the Igniting Connections Collaboration Platform to help partners find each other. Through a short intake form, partners can describe their expertise or product solution, identify a problem or need, or simply say they are looking for collaborators on a project already underway.

“At WE-Spark, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do,” said executive director Lisa Porter, a UWindsor health researcher.

“We have learned that Windsor-Essex has all the expertise we need to drive discovery and solutions, we just need help finding each other to make it happen. We can help to connect people and resources and mobilize teams.”

While set up in response to COVID-19, the new platform will continue once the pandemic subsides for future collaborations.

“Windsor-Essex is known for its partnerships and community connections,” Dr. Porter said.

The new collaboration platform facilitates an initial point of contact, she said. It’s a hub that can respond to health problems in the community and help track and share information about projects.

“Through our growing network, we will help make the research connections necessary to drive advancements in health.”

—Sarah Sacheli