Dr. Ken Blanchette, Vice Chair
Dr. Ken Blanchette is currently the Associate Vice President Academic for St. Clair College. His portfolio encompasses the operational oversight and delivery of the academic programing for all three of the college’s campuses.
When he joined the college as Chair for the School of Health Sciences in 2010, Ken became the school lead for a $32 million Centre for Applied Health Sciences building completion and purchasing of state-of-the-art simulation and lab equipment. In 2011, he became responsible for creating and providing opportunities for our local professionals and healthcare organizations to have the space, resources and continuing education and competency training. Since 2011, he has established collaboration with local hospitals, allied health professions, nurses and physicians and has implemented three new academic programs (Cardiovascular Technologist; Diagnostic Medical Sonography; and Respiratory Therapy), to address the local and national needs for healthcare professionals.
Prior to joining St. Clair College, Ken spent 12 years as a healthcare professional providing chiropractic patient care including neurological EMG, MRI and inter-disciplinary 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 is currently serving as a 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. He has also served his home town community as a Coach for the Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association for the past 13 years.
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.