Erie Shores HealthCare’s Board of Directors made an announcement on December 29 that Kristin Kennedy will be concluding her role as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 22, 2026. At that time, she will become the next President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital.
“On behalf of Erie Shores HealthCare’s Board of Directors, I want to congratulate Kristin as she begins preparations for the next stage of her career,” said Duffy Kniaziew, chair of the Erie Shores HealthCare Board of Directors. “I also want to thank her for her strong leadership, dedication, and the countless hours she has given to our organization and this community over the past seven years, including guiding us through the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent cyberattack. Her steady presence during some of the most challenging moments in recent healthcare history has helped shape Erie Shores into the organization it is today, and her foresight and innovation will leave a lasting mark on Erie Shores for decades to come.”
“This was not an easy decision,” said Kennedy. “Working alongside the team at ESHC has meant a great deal to me. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with people who are deeply committed, thoughtful and passionate about the work they do every day, and that’s something I will always carry with me.”
After an 18-year career in nursing that took her to Texas and other US locations (including Detroit), Kennedy came back to Ontario and joined Windsor Regional Hospital, where she spent five years as manager of neuro-sciences and director of critical care. She joined Erie Shores HealthCare in 2018 as Chief Nursing Executive before taking on the role as President and CEO in October, 2020.
Guiding the hospital through the COVID pandemic and through a cyberattack, she said the job has had its challenges, including low E.R. and capacity volumes, which prompted a push for growth.
“We expanded our catchment area by 75,000 residents,” she said. “It gave us a footprint in Windsor-Essex.”
Kristin says she’s grateful to her staff and the community for the time she’s spent here.
“I just hope I made an impact on behalf of staff, physicians and the community,” she said. “I hope I’ve left the organization a little better than it was when I came in.”
The challenge of leading a rural community hospital has been met with hard work, resolve and plenty of innovation by Kennedy and staff. They’ve made great strides in partnerships with local organizations and government representatives that have helped improve outreach in the community.
Kennedy will remain in her role through March 22, 2026, leading the organization while supporting transition planning.
