The Windsor-Essex region is on the cusp of a major healthcare transformation, with construction of the long-awaited Fancsy Family Hospital Project set to commence within months. The incoming president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, Kristin Kennedy, has confirmed that shovels could hit the ground as early as spring or summer of 2026, with formal announcements expected in the coming weeks.
A Pivotal Moment for Regional Healthcare
Kristin Kennedy, who will officially assume her role on March 23, 2026, emphasized the significance of this stage. "We're really at a pivotal spot in the development of that project, and a lot of exciting announcements will be forthcoming," Kennedy stated. She will also take over leadership of the massive Fancsy Family Hospital Project, a new regional acute care facility destined for Cabana Road, formerly known as County Road 42.
Kennedy is currently the head of Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington, with her last day there scheduled for March 22, 2026. Her appointment was announced by Windsor Regional Hospital on Monday, December 30, 2025. She succeeds Karen Riddell, who is retiring in March 2026 after leading the hospital since May 2024.
Leadership Transition and Project Handover
The project oversight is transitioning from the previous long-time CEO, David Musyj, who led Windsor Regional for 17 years before departing in 2024. Musyj was subsequently appointed as interim president and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre in May 2024 and named its provincial supervisor in September 2024.
Kennedy acknowledged the foundational work done by her predecessors. "David will be moving on from his oversight and work in that realm," she said. "Karen and David will be working with me over the upcoming weeks and months on handing over the baton. I think it's important to recognize all of the work that they've done to really get us here."
She praised the team's efforts, noting the acute need for the facility in Windsor-Essex County and the countless hours invested to reach this point.
Project Details and Construction Timeline
In a significant step forward, Windsor Regional Hospital selected EllisDon in August 2025 as the construction manager for the project's first phase. EllisDon brings extensive experience from other major Canadian healthcare builds, including:
- Brampton Civic Hospital
- Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital
- The South Niagara Hospital project
- The Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital
- The Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children
Phase one of the new acute care hospital will include several key components:
An administration centre featuring an auditorium, a simulation training centre, classrooms, and office space for support staff. A multi-level parking garage with covered access to the new hospital building will also be constructed. This initial phase will establish the essential site infrastructure required to support the future phases of the sprawling medical complex.
The imminent start of construction marks the tangible beginning of a project poised to redefine healthcare delivery for the residents of Windsor and Essex County for generations to come.
