Ozad Institute
Introduction
The Ozad Institute is a privately funded community resource dedicated to research, education and training in
neurodevelopmental disabilities and child and youth neurocognitive disorders. It was established through the generosity of
the Electrozad Foundation. The Institute
is located in the Regional Children’s Centre
(RCC) and is closely partnered with RCC and other Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) programs and services. Collaborative relationships have also
been established with the John McGivney Children’s Centre School Authority, Maryvale Adolescent
and Family Services, University of Windsor - Department of Psychology, and our two area school boards: Greater Essex County District School Board, Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.
Brief History
In September 1989,
Dr. John Strang authored a written proposal for the establishment of a
research, education and training institute that would focus on children with
neurodevelopmental disabilities, and be named after Joseph Ozad. This proposal was strongly supported by Dr.
Martin Girash and Mr. Ron Foster in their respective Windsor Western Hospital
Centre administrative roles, and was accepted by officials of the Electrozad
Foundation. A grant of $250,000 from the Electrozad Foundation led to
formation of the Ozad Institute in April 1990, and the creation of the Ozad
Institute Fund, which continues to be invested, and monitored through the
HDGH Foundation.
A $175,000 follow-up grant was received from the Electrozad Foundation for the
establishment of Ozad Institute facilities in 1991/1992. This money was later used to build and
furnish Ozad Institute facilities in RCC’s George Albert Huot Building. The
Ozad Institute facilities were formally dedicated on March 29, 1996. The
Institute’s facilities include the: Ozad Testing Room, Ozad Observation Room,
Ozad Research Office, and Ozad Conference Room. The testing, observation, and research office are used for RCC clinical practice, training and research. The Ozad Conference room is used for meetings, teaching, and
training purposes by RCC and other HDGH
staff, as well as community service-oriented organizations.
Operations
& Support
The
majority of operating dollars are generated by interest earned on the Ozad
Fund. Since April 2000, additional operating funds have been realized through
the fundraising efforts of staff and management at the Electrozad Supply
Company Limited, following a formal commitment by Mr. William C. Smith,
President, to sponsor of the Ozad Institute through annual charitable events.
In 2008-2009, the Electrozad Supply Company Ltd. London, Sarnia, and Windsor
offices provided special funding to support the Ozad Advisory Committee. As of March 2018, fundraising and
corporate donations from the Electrozad Supply Company Ltd. have totaled almost
$88,000. There have
also been ongoing donations from Electrozad employees and associates who have
selected the Ozad Institute as their choice for a charitable donation. Other donations from individuals and professional fees have contributed to operating dollars and the present Ozad Institute Fund.
Interest earned from the Ozad Fund investment provides the bulk of funding for the Ozad Institute's annual costs and operations. Additional financial support from donations through Electrozad Supply Co. Ltd. fundraising, individual donors, and non-governmental sources. The Ozad Institute has a 2017/18 operating budget of $22,200 to cover all annual expenses including Director’s salary, meetings, equipment, research support, sponsored presentations, and other education/training costs.