National Pain Rounds
The last Friday of every month.
A discussion between scientists, health professionals, educators, and pain advocates on a myriad of topics related to chronic pain. Offering a platform for innovative minds to bring forward inspiring ideas and discover solutions to help you in your practice.
#CanadianPainRounds
National Pain Rounds Chairs
Our National Pain Rounds Committee is made up of experienced healthcare professionals who strive to uphold and maintain the integrity of the Canadian Pain Society as dedicated volunteers. Our committee includes Jennifer Daly-Cyr (PWLE), Helena Daudt (PWLE & Pain Canada Director of Education), Eugene Maida, and Tania DiRenna.
Founding Co-Chair
Dr. John Xavier Pereira
President of the Canadian Pain Society, previous President of the Pain Society of Alberta, and a Founding Co-Chair of the Alberta Pain Strategy. He is a past Ronald Melzack Fellow of the McGill Pain Center and has spoken on the topic of chronic pain both nationally and internationally, including at the Centers for Disease Control, ANZCA Auckland, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Mayo Clinic. He represented Western Canada on the committee of physicians who wrote our country’s National Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. Dr. John Pereira was the physician lead of FibroFOCUS, an interdisciplinary chronic pain program that won a 2016 Patient Experience Award from the Health Quality Council of Alberta. He was a member of the Canadian Pain Task Force's External Advisory Panel and a current member of Pain Canada's National Advisory Council. He has personally visited more than sixty pain clinics worldwide to learn best practices.
Founding Co-Chair
Dr. Nader Ghasemlou
Director of Pain Services and the Pain Research Unit at the Toronto General Hospital (TGH). He is the Knowledge Translation Chair for the University of Toronto Centre For the Study of Pain and an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Clarke has played a leading role in educating the public about pain control, alternatives to opioids, and the need for further studies on the beneficial and adverse effects of cannabis. He is a champion of evidence-based solutions for the opioid crisis and an advocate for a national pain and addictions strategy. He has authored over 100 peer reviewed publications and has been invited to speak on pain control, cannabis and the opioid crisis to the House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada and elsewhere around the world. He has won numerous awards including the 2016 Early Career Award from the Canadian Pain Society and the 2019 US Mayday Pain and Society Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding research and commitment to improving pain care.
Introducing the First National Health Standard for Pediatric Pain Management
The new pediatric pain management health standard was developed in partnership between Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) and the Health Standards Organization. It is the first of its kind in Canada and globally, and responds to recommendations in Health Canada’s Action Plan for Pain in Canada (March 2021). The new pediatric pain management health standard provides guidance to health organizations on quality and equitable pediatric pain management across hospital settings that provide inpatient, procedural, and/or outpatient pain management services to children from birth to 19 years less one day. This presentation and discussion will introduce attendees to the pediatric pain management health standard structure and content, its development process, and its intended impact. Speakers include health professionals, standard development experts, and people with lived experience who contributed directly to the development of the pediatric pain management standard.
An exciting panel discussion moderated by Dr. John Pereira, President of the Canadian Pain Society.
The Executive Director of Clinical Partnerships at Health Standards Organization. Across her many contributions to developing, innovating, and improving standards and accreditation programs, her passion and drive are in finding actionable ways to improve the health care experience for people that receive the care and those who are involved in providing care across the life span. In 2022, she served as coach and advisor in the development of the Pediatric Pain Management recognized as a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada. She also provided clinical oversight on the recently published the national Long-Term Care Services Standard also recognized by the Standards Council of Canada . She lives, plays, and works on the unceded Indigenous lands of the Mi’kmaq people of Abegweit (PEI) and the Kanien’keha:ka people of Tiohtià:ke (Montreal).
Dr. Louise Clément
A Resident Physician at BC Children's Hospital, former pediatric patient and lifelong advocate for improving children's pain management. Now wearing multiple hats in healthcare, she has contributed to the new HSO Standard on Pediatric Pain Management. Further, she has worked for the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop International Pediatric Pain Guidelines, Health Canada's National Pain Taskforce and is a Board Member for Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP). Originally from the Northwest Territories, she has a strong passion for reducing health inequities in rural/remote Canada and improving access to pediatric care.
Dr. Justina Marianayagam
Mother, Caregiver, Advocate. In 2013 my son suddenly became ill with an undiagnosed neurological condition. My world changed completely as I stopped work, lived in a hospital for two years and had to very quickly learn how to navigate the medical system. My son’s condition progressed, he requires my support for all of his daily activities of living. As I continue to navigate the system I am able to use my experience to help others along in their medical journey. To this end: I co-chaired the Champlain Local Health Integration Network Patient and Family Advisory Council; sat on the steering committee for the Kids Come First Health Team; supported the launch of the Kids Health Alliance; actively advocated and influenced changes in the Judicial and Court system to better address needs of non-verbal people; and participated in various family community and peer supports. A significant and ever-changing challenge has been the management of pain for my son. I am engaged with Solutions for Kids in Pain as a Family Partner and was pleased to work on the Pediatric Pain Management Standard, bringing the perspective of the patient and family in dealing with both acute and chronic pain, specifically for those with disabilities.
Stephanie Parava
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A Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary where she leads the Partnering For Pain program. She is the Associate Scientific Director of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), a national knowledge mobilization network working to improve evidence-based children’s pain management through coordination and collaboration. Dr. Birnie joined Alberta Children’s Hospital as a medical psychologist in 2018, where she continues to provide clinical care through the Vi Riddell Children’s Pain and Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Birnie was chair of the national working group that developed the first national health standard for pediatric pain management in Canada.