The leader of a healthcare team in Windsor and collaborator with the Research and Innovation team at St. Clair College has made a list of the top women leaders in healthcare across North America.
Margo Reilly is the executive director of the Windsor Family Health Team and was recently named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare for 2025 by 'Women We Admire.'
Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon, the Director of Research and Innovation at St. Clair College stands with Margo Reilly of the Windsor Family Health Team in February 2025. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
"It was a really beautiful surprise to be recognized for some of the work that I have done in the last decade or so," Reilly said. "I'm really humbled to see how I was placed with these amazing women throughout all of North America."
"I do have this great team that I work with, as it's an integrated health team. We have so many different programs and services, and yes, I am incredibly proud of the people that I work with, and what we do. They believe in the vision, and they support where I was hoping to take some of our programs and services," said Reilly. "They're motivated to serve the community and their patients, and they are the kindest, warmest, most incredible professionals I've ever worked with."
Under Reilly's leadership, The Windsor Family Health Team "has transformed primary care delivery, improving access and outcomes for vulnerable populations. WFHT has earned recognition for innovative programs that address the unique needs of the community," reads the Women We Admire website.
"Her resilience and determination have made her an expert in her field, driven by a passion for creating inclusive programs that address the needs of both patients and the healthcare team. Margo's leadership is defined by her commitment to equity, innovation, and mentorship, particularly for young people and aspiring female leaders," reads the website bio about Reilly.
Reilly is also very actively engaged in academia and research, contributing to several research initiatives in collaboration with St. Clair College's Research and Innovation department, including an evaluation of the Oral Health Education Program.
"What we're trying to do is create a movement where preventative care includes oral health, because oral health is healthcare," Reilly said. "We're also trying to create a movement of the necessity and the need to provide proper oral screening so that we can identify for cancer."
"This holistic idea is not just a movement at the Windsor Family Health Team, it's actually a movement throughout healthcare itself, because we need to look at all the elements of the psychosocial wavelength of care," she said.
According to the Family Health Team, the Oral Health Education Program is available free of cost to patients of all ages without private dental insurance, giving patients the maximum benefit through education in eight modules, available preventative treatments, and free oral health provisions (e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste). This program is multi-faceted, providing outreach support to vulnerable populations in the Windsor area in collaboration with Windsor Regional Hospital and other local health organizations.
The Research and Innovation team assists with the collection and analysis of anonymized data for patient needs, with the goal of improving access to holistic healthcare in the region.
"While we bring a theoretical lens to the table, we don't have our finger on the pulse of the community in the way the Windsor Family Health Team does. That's what truly makes this collaboration powerful," said Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon, the Director of Research and Innovation at St. Clair College. "Margo and her team openly share their lived experiences, allowing us to dig deeper and think differently. It's through this authentic exchange that we uncover new, creative ways to tackle challenges and break free from conventional thinking."
"In the face of obstacles, leadership rooted in empathy, resilience, and creative action is paramount. Women in leadership, such as Margo, bring a unique ability to balance compassion with innovation, and this balance is essential in the healthcare field. Together, we carve new paths, not just for our organizations but for entire communities," added Dr. Dhillon.
The Windsor Family Health Team and St. Clair R&I are engaged on numerous other projects, including a machine learning AI strategy, collecting socio-economic data for patient enrollment.
"We are constantly exploring new ways to think outside the box - whether it's through machine learning, socio-economic data collection, or oral health education programs. The beauty of this partnership is that it is not just about research; it is about making a real-world impact that improves lives," said Dr. Dhillon. "Research partnerships are vital to understanding the challenges communities face and building practical solutions. When we combine academic rigor with lived experiences, we uncover insights that drive meaningful, sustainable change."
"Having research partners validates the work we're doing," Reilly said.
Reflecting on the award, Reilly notes it offers that same validation that the work being done by her team is meaningful, impactful, and worthwhile.
She's especially proud to be in a position to create change and help provide life-saving services at the grassroots level within the community, inspiring other women to follow in her footsteps.
"As women in leadership, it's our it's our responsibility to provide opportunities and to make the path a little easier for the young women that are coming behind us," said Reilly. "Every time you inspire a young woman, then they will pay it back, and they do pay it forward."
Dr. Dhillon points out that Reilly's combination of leadership skills and vision for the future of healthcare not only fosters a stronger research culture, but also leads to better community health outcomes.
"Women in leadership have the unique ability to uplift others. It's about creating a space where new ideas can flourish, and where the next generation feel supported and empowered to lead in their own way," said Dr. Dhillon.
