Dr. Ken Blanchette, Chair
Dr. Ken Blanchette is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. Ken previously served as the Associate Vice President (Academic) and Chair of Health Sciences at St. Clair College and more recently as the Executive Director at ConnexOntario. .
Prior to joining St. Clair College, Ken spent 12 years as a health care professional providing chiropractic patient care including neurological EMG, MRI and interdisciplinary referrals, spinal decompression as well as spinal x-ray diagnostics.
Ken has a Doctor of Chiropractic, Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, advanced training in Phytochemical, Botanical medicine and their impact on chiropractic procedures from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard Illinois and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Windsor. He has extensive teaching experience at numerous institutions including Everest College in Windsor, Michigan Board of Education and the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois.
Ken is actively involved in the Windsor and Essex County communities. He has over 10 years executive level leadership and board governance experience. He has served as the Vice Chair of the board of directors for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Co-Chair for the Health Standards Organizations Academic Health Centers and Clinical Research Technical Committee, Co-Chair for the Southwestern Academic Health Network (SWAHN) and a CMA accreditor.
Meet the Board
HDGH: What motivated you to join HDGH’s Board of Directors?
KB: As a healthcare provider, I was attracted to being a part of developing a new healthcare system in Windsor with the re-organization that was occurring at the time between Windsor Regional and Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare. HDGH had great leadership and unlimited potential in its move to the new campus. As part of the board, we were able to provide leadership, community engagement, patient feedback and ensure that the institution remained sensitive to all diverse populations to which all were made inclusive to the care in which HDGH provides.
HDGH: What do you believe are the most prominent health needs in our community?
KB: Mental health has made significant progress in recent years but still has many stigmas and funding barriers to overcome. HDGH’s advocacy with the government and partnership with local agencies has been key in the progress that has been made in Windsor Essex.
In addition to Mental Health, cardiac wellness is a prominent issue within our community that HDGH plays an important post-acute role to ensure overall health improvements and lifestyle changes needed for patients.
HDGH: As a member of the Board, how does the board ensure a healthy, equitable community?
KB: The Board continues to ask in-depth questions regarding equity, and diversity while overseeing the healthcare services that HDGH provides. We have engaged in indigenous, cultural and emotional intelligence training as well as partnered with diversity leaders within our community to ensure we are creating a vision of inclusivity in the healthcare system.