Our 2023 Agenda
You will gain the ability to describe and critically analyze recent research on the mechanisms and management of pain with our diverse, multidisciplinary membership. You'll integrate activities and understanding that will help improve access to high-quality pain care, including preventing and treating pain more effectively.
Concurrent sessions have been coordinated to encompass mechanisms of pain; biopsychosocial factors of pain; pain treatments; and pain programs, education, policy, and advocacy.
All efforts will be in place to avoid any timing adjustments, that may occur without advance notice. All timing for this event is in Mountain Daylight Time.
0700-0800h
Registration and Daily Check In
Check in here daily to ensure you receive your educational credits.
0700-0800h
Breakfast
Start your morning off with a well-balanced breakfast.
0815-0915h
Plenary: Neuroimmune Interactions for the Induction and Resolution of Pain
Dr. Ru-Rong Ji
0920-1035h
Concurrent Session Four: The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Somatosensation and Pain - Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
Chair: A. Khoutorsky
Speakers: C. Altier, S. Shen. A. Minerbi
0920-1035h
Concurrent Session Four: Pain Experiences of Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDDs): Bridging Research and Practice
Chair: S. Noyek
Speakers: C. Nania, D. Moore, C.M. McMurtry
0920-1035h
Concurrent Session Four: Hot Topics Trainee Presentations
Presenters: T. Jassal, W. Cai, C.Faig, N. van den Hoogen, M. Pavlova, P. Tutelman
0920-1035h
Concurrent Session Four: The Intersection of Pain and Addiction: Using Harm Reduction Strategies to Keep Patients with Chronic Pain Safe Within the Context of the Current Opioid Crisis
Chair: H. Clarke
Speakers: K. Nicholson, S. Ladak, A. Sutherland
1035-1100h
Refreshment Break
Browse posters and connect with our exhibitors
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session Five: Pain and Time
Chair: L. Diatchenko
Speakers: L. Diatchenko, R. Ji, J. Mogil
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session Five: Neurophysiological Changes Following Physical or Emotional Childhood Trauma in the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain
Chair: S. Nelson
Speakers: J. Christianson, S. Miller, S. Nelson, T. Pigott
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session Five: Can Clinical Trials Translate Pain Science into Improved Care for People Suffering from Pain? Incorporating Basic Principles with Patient Engagement and Real-world Clinical Practice
Chair: I. Gilron
Speakers: I. Gilron, D. Richards, J. Khan
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session Five: Exploring and Healing Pediatric Chronic Pain in Indigenous Youth and Families Through Two-Eyed Seeing
Chair: F. Di Valentin
Speakers: A. Kandasamy, J. Gregory, M. Syeda, H. Talbot, S. Spence
1220-1320h
Lunch
Take a break and refuel
1330-1445h
Concurrent Session Six: Bridging the Gap: Translational Approaches to Studying Pain in Rodent and Human Models
Chair: E. Tsai
Speakers: A. Dedek, K. Sadler, B. Copits
1330-1445h
Concurrent Session Six: Considering the Multiple Identities of Patients with Chronic Pain: How Can We Tailor Pain Care to Support Young Athletes?
Chairs: M. Noel & K. Dittrich
Speakers: L. Harrison, K. Hurtubise, C. Hess
1330-1445h
Concurrent Session Six: Placebo Effects with Treatments for Pain - Making Much Out of Nothing at all?
Chair: J. Hashmi
Speakers: J. Hashmi, J. Markman. A. Bhatia
1330-1445h
Concurrent Session Six: Mobile Health Data for Pediatric Pain: Inter-institutional Experiences and Best Practices for Patient-centred Data Capture, Analysis, and Visualization.
Chair: V. Mohabir
Speakers: C. Lalloo, K. Boerner, J. Kossowsky
1445-1500h
Refreshment Break
Browse posters and connect with our exhibitors
1500-1600h
Poster Session Two
Join our judging committee as we award our poster winners
1600-1715h
Concurrent Session Seven: Prenatal and Neonatal Exposure to Pain and its Long-Term Effects on the Developing Brain
Chair: J. Miller
Speakers: J. Jessa, E. Duerden, S. Beggs
1600-1715h
Concurrent Session Seven: Perceived Injustice and Pain: Causes, Consequences and Mechanisms of Action
Chair: M. Sullivan
Speakers: H. Adams, J. Carrière. M. Sullivan
1600-1715h
Concurrent Session Seven: Implantable Neuromodulation Therapies for Pain - As Simple as Buzzing the Pain Away or More to it than meets the eye?
Chair: A. Bhatia
Speakers: K. MacDougall. J. Osborn, V. Mohabir
1600-1715h
Concurrent Session Seven: Driving Policy Development for Pain in Canada: Perspectives from a Governmental, Lived Experience, Clinician, and Advocacy Group Lens
Chairs: F. Campbell
Speakers: J. Laliberté, J.F. Leroux, M. Hudspith, T. Wasylak
1830-2300h
President’s Gala
Included with both full conference and Friday-only registrations. Ticket includes a served dinner and dancing. Attire is Formal, and this is an adults only event. Please visit our childcare section above if you require this.
0700-0800h
Registration and Daily Check In
Check in here daily to ensure you receive your educational credits.
0700-0800h
Breakfast
Start your morning off with a well-balanced breakfast.
0800-0830h
Opening Remarks and Special Address
Canadian Pain Society President Dr. John Pereira
0830-0930h
Fibromyalgia: Attempts at Uncovering the Pathophysiology
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Claudia Sommer
0930-0945h
Poster Pitches
Browse posters and listen to their exciting pitches!
0945-1000h
Refreshment Break
Browse posters and connect with our exhibitors
1000-1100h
Poster Session One
Join our judging committee as we award our poster winners
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session One: The Impact of Sleep and Chronobiology on Nociception and Chronic Pain
Chair: J. Daly-Cyr
Speakers: G. Neely, N. Ghasemlou, G. Pagé
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session One: Pediatric Chronic Postsurgical Pain: Altering Pain Trajectories
Chair: J. Tyrrell
Speakers: B. Rosenbloom, L. Isaac, D. Ruskin
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session One: Innovations in Complex Cancer Pain Research: Learning from Real-world Clinical Experiences to Improve Research Methodology and Clinical Practice
Chairs: M. Bouchard & L. Gauthier
Speakers: P. Bérubé-Mercier, J. Gewandter, D. Langford
1100-1215h
Concurrent Session One: Pain Education in Canada: New Research in Pre and Post Licensure Learning and Outcomes
Chair: I. Cioffi
Speakers: S. Langlois, C. Dale. S. Hassan
1220-1320h
Lunch
Take a break and refuel
1320-1420h
Plenary: Rethinking Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in 2023
Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed
1430-1545h
Concurrent Session Two: Sex Differences in Pain and Analgesia Mechanisms: Evidence from Animal and Human Brain Imaging
Chair: J. Da Silva
Speakers: J. Da Silva, J. Moron-Concepcion, N. Osborne
1430-1545h
Concurrent Session Two: Early Life Trauma and Chronic Pain Across the Lifespan and Generations: Identifying Mechanisms across Species and New Intervention Targets to Break the Cycle
Chair: J. Belton
Speakers: R. Mychasiuk, M. Noel, C. Shenk
1430-1545h
Concurrent Session Two: Classification of Chronic Primary Pain in ICD 11 - Does Nociplastic PainTerminology Allow for Better Diagnostic Categorization and Enhanced Treatment Opportunities?
Chair: N. Mittal
Speakers: N. Mittal, M.A. Fitzcharles. A. Mailis
1430-1545h
Concurrent Session Two: Trainee Workshop: Hacking Your Way Through CIHR Funding with the Lens of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Rebecca Pillai
1545-1615h
Refreshment Break
Browse posters and connect with our exhibitors
1615-1730h
Concurrent Session Three: Contribution of Non-neuronal Cells to Sex Differences in Nociception and the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain
Chair: G. Descalzi
Speakers: G. Laumet, V. Tawfik, G. Descalzi
1615-1730h
Concurrent Session Three: The Burden of Not Knowing: How Diagnostic and Sensory Uncertainty Impact on Pain Outcomes and Chronic Pain Disability
Chair: A. Meulders
Speakers: A. Meulders, T. Stanton, A. Neville
1400-1700h
Registration is Open!
Get a jump start on your conference weekend by completing your registration.
1700-1900h
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Canadian Pain Society President Dr. John Pereira, Dr. Michael Hildebrand and Dr. Gabrielle Pagé
Special Address and Keynote Presentations by:
Early Career and Distinguished Career Award Recipients
Presentation and Keynote Presentation of Distinguished Career Award, M. Choinière
Presentation and Keynote Presentation of Early Career Award, A. Khoutorsky
1900-2100h
Welcome Reception
Join us and kick-off our event!
Late Breaking Abstracts
The Scientific Planning Committee seeks to offer a balanced, diverse, and cutting-edge scientific program that reflects different areas of science from all members of the pain community. Your participation is of the utmost importance and will be integral for the success of the 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting and continued progress in pain research and management. All abstracts must be submitted through the CPS abstract submission portal below before Tuesday February 28th by 2259h ET

Coming Together at the Banff Springs Hotel
A Quick Note! We realize an unforeseen conference events and time frames may change without notice and impact your travel plans. Although we will endeavour to avoid these changes, please note the Canadian Pain Society will not be responsible for any incurred costs due to these changes.

Our 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting
May 10-12, 2023 at the Banff Springs Hotel
Individuals with an interest in pain from all around the world come together to share knowledge and expertise on the latest advancements in pain mechanisms, evaluation, and management.
Find out here how we are committed to keeping you safe with our Covid-19 Guidelines.

✶ Keynote Speaker
Claudia Sommer
University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
A Professor of Neurology at the University of Würzburg, Germany. She received training in neurology, psychiatry, neuropathology, and experimental pain research. At the University Hospital of Würzburg, she serves as a consultant in neurology, organizes outpatient clinics for patients with neuromuscular disorders, pain and headache, and she leads the Peripheral Nerve Laboratory. Research interests are the pathophysiology of pain, of inflammatory neuropathies, and of antibody-mediated diseases. She has written more than 250 original research papers and more than 100 reviews and book-chapters and edited several books. She has served as President of the German Pain Society in 2019-2020 and as President of the International Society for the Study of Pain (IASP, 2020-2022). She is a Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology, and a Board member of the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) and the International Research Consortium for CRPS. She is also Deputy Editor of the European Journal of Neurology.

✶ Plenary Speaker
Ru-Rong Ji
MD PhD FRCPC
William Maixner Professor of Anesthesiology, Professor of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Director of Center for Translational Pain Center (CTPM), Duke Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina

✶ Plenary Speaker
Gaynor Watson-Creed
MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, DSc (hc)
The Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, and past Chair of the Board of Engage Nova Scotia. She is a public health specialist physician with 17 years experience, having served as the former Medical Officer of Health for the Halifax area and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. She served as a member of the One Nova Scotia Coalition economic strategy table in Nova Scotia and was recently a member of the federal Task Force on Women in the Economy. Dr. Watson-Creed has an MD from Dalhousie University, an MSc from the University of Guelph, a BSc from the University of Prince Edward Island, and an honorary doctorate from Acadia University. She also sits as chair or member of several national population health councils and boards and is a passionate advocate for high-quality public health services in Canada.