A significant leadership change is set for two of Southwestern Ontario's key healthcare institutions. Kristin Kennedy, the current President and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington, has been appointed as the new head of Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH). The announcement was made public on Monday, December 29, 2025.
A Homecoming and a New Challenge
Kennedy is no stranger to Windsor Regional Hospital, having previously held senior roles there. From 2015 to 2017, she served as Operations Manager for the Neurosciences Program, followed by a stint as Director of Critical Care and Cardiology from 2017 to 2018. Her move to the Leamington hospital in 2018 as Chief Nursing Executive marked a step up, leading to her appointment as President and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare in 2020.
Her official return to WRH as President and CEO is scheduled for April 2026. She will remain at Erie Shores HealthCare until March 22, 2026, to oversee a smooth transition. The Leamington hospital's board expects to name her successor later this winter.
Steering Through Crisis and Toward the Future
In a statement, Duffy Kniaziew, Chair of the Erie Shores HealthCare Board of Directors, praised Kennedy's tenure. He highlighted her strong leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent cyberattack, crediting her steady hand for shaping the organization. "Her foresight and innovation will leave a lasting mark on Erie Shores for decades to come," Kniaziew said.
Kennedy expressed mixed emotions about the move. "This was not an easy decision," she stated. "Working alongside the team at ESHC has meant a great deal to me." However, she conveyed excitement about her new role, stating she is "humbled and excited to join WRH." She emphasized her commitment to making a meaningful impact, particularly as the region moves toward a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital for Windsor-Essex.
What This Means for Regional Healthcare
This executive shift creates a pivotal moment for healthcare leadership in Essex County. Kennedy brings a wealth of local experience and a proven track record of managing through systemic challenges. Her deep understanding of both hospital systems—the smaller rural/community model of Erie Shores and the larger, complex acute care environment of Windsor Regional—positions her uniquely for the role.
The transition underscores the interconnected nature of healthcare in the region and sets the stage for the next chapter at Windsor Regional Hospital as it plans for major future infrastructure projects.
