Our 2025 Career Awards Recognize Excellence in Pain Research and Care
Recognizing outstanding achievements in pain research and/or management by an individual at the early stage of his or her career.
Our 2024 Early Career Award winner receives:
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A keynote presentation at our Annual Scientific Meeting.
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Economy travel to our event in Toronto ($1000), including ground transportation and incidentals (up to $100).
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Three (3) nights, base rate accommodation at our conference venue.
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Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our annual event.
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Complimentary ticket to our ceremony, where your award will be presented.
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A commemorative plaque.
Criteria for this year's award winner:
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Nominees must hold a PhD or MD (or equivalent) and an independent research and clinical appointment.
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Nominees must be within 10 years of their independent appointment at a Canadian University or affiliated research institution at the time of application. Interruptions and career delays will be considered when determining eligibility.
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Nominees must be current members in good standing with the Canadian Pain Society.
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Nominees must be accompanied by a letter of nomination signed by a Canadian Pain Society member.
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A copy of thhe nominee's CV.CV of the nominee.
Honoring outstanding and dedicated service to the Canadian Pain Society.
2024 - Judy Watt-Watson
2023 - Fiona Campbell
2021 - Philip Peng
2020 - James Henry
2019 - Ken Craig
Honoring outstanding and dedicated service to the Canadian Pain Society.
2024 - Judy Watt-Watson
2023 - Fiona Campbell
2021 - Philip Peng
2020 - James Henry
2019 - Ken Craig
Honoring outstanding and dedicated service to the Canadian Pain Society.
2024 - Judy Watt-Watson
2023 - Fiona Campbell
2021 - Philip Peng
2020 - James Henry
2019 - Ken Craig
From scientific innovation to outstanding contributions to pain management, our Awards Committee celebrates individuals and organizations at the forefront of advancing pain science and the well-being of people with lived experience.
The Canadian Pain Society is strongly committed to strengthening diversity in both research and clinical practice. We encourage nominations by and for racialized persons, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, 2SLGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, and others who bring diverse perspectives to the field of pain.
Note: Travel and accommodation reservations are made by the award winner, in collaboration with The Canadian Pain Society office. Supporting documents for travel to our event are to be sent to office@canadianpainsociety.ca 14 days after the conference for reimbursement of expenses. In the event of the need to pivot our 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting to a virtual meeting due to COVID-19, the keynote presentation will be delivered virtually, and The Canadian Pain Society will not award the cash equivalent for travel, incidentals, and hotel.
Our 2024 Career Award Categories
Early Career Award
Recognizing outstanding achievements in pain research and/or management by an individual at the early stage of his or her career.
The winner of our 2024 Award will receive ‣ A keynote presentation at our Annual Scientific Meeting. ‣ Economy travel to our event in Ottawa (up to $1000). ‣ Ground transport (e.g. shuttle bus, taxi fare) and incidentals (up to $100). ‣ Three (3) nights, base-rate, accommodation at our conference venue. ‣ A commemorative plaque. ‣ Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our Annual event. ‣ Complimentary ticket to our Presidents Gala, where your award will be presented.
Criteria for this years award winner ‣ Nominees must hold a PhD or MD degree (or equivalent) and hold an independent research and/or clinical appointment. ‣ Applicants must be within 10 years of their independent appointment at a Canadian University or affiliated research institution at the time of application. Interruptions and delays in career will be considered when determining eligibility. ‣ Nominees must be current members in good standing with the Canadian Pain Society. ‣ A letter of nomination, in English or French, signed by one Canadian Pain Society member. ‣ CV of the nominee.
Distinguished Service Award
Honoring outstanding and dedicated service within the Canadian Pain Society.
The winner of our 2024 Award will receive ‣ A commemorative plaque. ‣ Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our Annual event. ‣ Complimentary ticket to our Presidents Gala, where your award will be presented.
Criteria for this years award winner ‣ Nominees must be current members in good standing with the Canadian Pain Society. ‣ A letter of nomination, in English or French, signed by one Canadian Pain Society member. ‣ CV of the nominee.
Distinguished Career Award
The Distinguished Career Award recognizes longstanding contributions to pain research and/or management.
The winner of our 2024 Award will receive ‣ A keynote Presentation at our Annual Scientific Meeting. ‣ Economy travel to our event in Ottawa (up to $1000). ‣ Ground transport (e.g. shuttle bus, taxi fare) and incidentals (up to $100). ‣ Three (3) nights, base-rate, accommodation at our conference venue. ‣ A commemorative plaque. ‣ Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our Annual event. ‣ Complimentary ticket to our Presidents Gala, where your award will be presented.
Criteria for this years award winner ‣ Nominees must be current members in good standing with the Canadian Pain Society. ‣ A letter of nomination, in English or French, signed by one Canadian Pain Society member. ‣ CV of the nominee.
Outstanding Pain Mentorship Award
Presented annually to a researcher and/or clinician who consistently exemplifies outstanding mentorship in the training of future pain researchers and/or clinicians.
The winner of our 2024 Award will receive ‣ A Commemorative Plaque ‣ Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our Annual event ‣ Complimentary ticket to our Presidents Gala, where your award will be presented.
Criteria for this years award winner ‣ Candidates must be nominated by at least 1 colleague or current/former trainee. ‣ Nominees must be current members in good standing with the Canadian Pain Society. ‣ A letter of nomination, in English or French, signed by one Canadian Pain Society member. ‣ CV of the nominee.
Pain Awareness Award
Presented annually to the candidate(s) with the best Pain Awareness Project. Raising awareness of the undermanaged pain problem and highlight efforts towards finding solutions for Canadians.
The winner of our 2024 Award will receive ‣ A commemorative plaque. ‣ Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our Annual event. ‣ Complimentary ticket to our Presidents Gala, where your award will be presented.
Criteria for this years award winner ‣ A one (1) page brief of the candidate’s project, including impact on target audience. ‣ Projects involving electronic or printed media, visual, fine arts, dance, music or other creative expressions will be considered. ‣ The Canadian Pain Society encourages projects using group submissions and submissions from different professional backgrounds and disciplines are preferred (i.e. projects combining science and art, collaborations between persons living with pain and health care providers). ‣ The recipient(s) will be invited to present their project at the 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. The format of the presentation (e.g. poster, concurrent session, display table) will be determined by the awardee in collaboration with the Scientific Program Committee. The CPS may seek permissions to reproduce the work to continue raising awareness.
Person with Lived Experience of Pain Leadership Award
Award recognizes outstanding contributions by People with Lived Experience to pain research, education, and/or community building, in Canada.
The winner of our 2024 Award will receive ‣ Economy travel to our event in Ottawa (up to $1000 CAD). ‣ Ground transport (e.g. shuttle bus, taxi fare) and incidentals (up to $100) ‣ Three (3) nights, base-rate, accommodation at our conference venue. ‣ A commemorative plaque. ‣ Complimentary four-day (4) registration to our Annual event. ‣ Complimentary ticket to our Presidents Gala, where your award will be presented.
Criteria for this years award winner ‣ Person with Lived Experience of Pain should have a demonstrated track record of outstanding contributions to pain research, education, and/or community building activities. ‣ A letter of nomination signed by one Canadian Pain Member and a representative of a community organization (for example, but not limited to local, provincial, or national organizations or groups providing services and/or education to people in the community) describing the nominee, their contributions and impact on pain research, education, and/or community building, and any relevant past achievements if applicable. ‣ The spirit of the Person with Lived Experience of Pain Leadership Award is to recognize avocational pain leadership activities (e.g. not part of their primary vocation). Activities described in the nomination letter should clearly indicate how the applicant engages in pain leadership activities distinct from their primary vocation.