Join us on 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.
Before attending or watching any National Pain Round sessions, please read our disclaimers.
This program receives funding from the Government of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
National Pain Rounds
Introducing National Pain Rounds for Trainees! See the Schedule >
April National Pain Rounds
Pain and Poppies – how does it really work?
Opioids, which can be naturally produced in the body, found in poppies, or synthetically created, all exert their effects in distinct ways within the brain and throughout the body. These effects are closely tied to their role in pain relief. Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that opioids can impact the gut microbiome, which may have implications for their effectiveness in relieving pain.
Dr. Anna Taylor is a Canada Research Chair in Pain and Addiction and an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Alberta. She completed her doctoral degree at the McGill Pain Center followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles in the NIH-funded Opioid Research Center. Dr. Taylor’s research program engages a broad range of disciplines including pharmacology, microbiology, genetics, and animal behaviour to provide mechanistic insight into chronic pain and addiction.
Anna Taylor
Dr. Hance Clarke is a staff anesthesiologist and the Director of Pain Services and the Pain Research Unit at the Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Clarke is currently 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. He currently holds the GoodHope Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Chair in Translational Medicine and has been recognized internationally for his research productivity and improvements to patient care such as the development of the Toronto General Hospital Transitional Pain Service. He has authored over 170 peer reviewed publications and he will assume the role of president of the Canadian Pain Society in April.
Hance Clarke
Dr. Bradley Kerr received his BSc in Psychology from McGill University. He then went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of London-King’s College in the UK. His PhD research was aimed at understanding the role of novel modulatory peptides, growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines in persistent pain. Dr. Kerr went on to do postdoctoral work at the California Institute of Technology and at McGill University where his work focused on studying inflammatory responses after nervous system injury. Dr. Kerr joined the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Alberta in 2007 and is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Psychiatry. The focus of research in his lab is aimed at addressing the mechanisms of chronic pain after injury or disease with a major focus on chronic pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis.
Bradley Kerr
I'm a 44 four year old male. I like to play golf Reed and travel. Also I like to watch cricket golf, soccer and football. Currently I'm looking to get back into the workforce
Graham Lord
Information for this speaker is on the way!
Vikas Parihar
April Pain Rounds for Trainees
-Cancelled
Open to learners in the field of pain medicine, sessions will enhance medical education by promoting standardized pain management practices, fostering collaboration among those practicing pain medicine, and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based pain assessments and treatment practices.
Bradley Kerr
Graham Lord
Don Richardson
Harsha Shanthanna
Philip Peng
Anuj Bhatia
Anna Taylor
Hance Clarke
April
Cancelled
Open to learners in the field of pain medicine, sessions will enhance medical education by promoting standardized pain management practices, fostering collaboration among those practicing pain medicine, and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based pain assessments and treatment practices.
June
Pain and Trauma
Open to learners in the field of pain medicine, sessions will enhance medical education by promoting standardized pain management practices, fostering collaboration among those practicing pain medicine, and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based pain assessments and treatment practices.
May
Canadian Interventional Pain Guidelines for Axial Procedures
Open to learners in the field of pain medicine, sessions will enhance medical education by promoting standardized pain management practices, fostering collaboration among those practicing pain medicine, and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based pain assessments and treatment practices.
Pain Rounds for Trainees
Bradley Kerr
Graham Lord
Don Richardson
Harsha Shanthanna
Philip Peng
Anuj Bhatia
Anna Taylor
Hance Clarke
June
Presentation details coming soon
More information coming soon
May
Presentation details coming soon
More information coming soon
April
Pain and Poppies – how does it really work?
Opioids, which can be naturally produced in the body, found in poppies, or synthetically created, all exert their effects in distinct ways within the brain and throughout the body. These effects are closely tied to their role in pain relief. Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that opioids can impact the gut microbiome, which may have implications for their effectiveness in relieving pain. Learning Objectives: Objective 1: Review mechanisms of action of opioids Objective 2: Discuss hyperalgesia, tolerance and the need for more opioids Objective 3 : Explore the role of opioids in altering the gut microbiome and hyperalgesia
Pain Rounds for Professionals
Our Trainee Chairs
A platform for innovative minds to bring forward inspiring ideas and discover solutions to help you in your mentorship programs.
Providing educational resources for learners in efforts to prepare the next generation of pain management clinicians for the full scope of practice opportunities, from basic science research transitioning into clinical practice.
Co-Chair
Dr. Eugene Maida
Assistant Clinical Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) with a cross appointment in the Department of Anesthesia at McMaster University. Dr. Maida is a physiatrist and interventional pain physician with a special interest in spine and musculoskeletal medicine. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and later completed subspecialty training in the Pain Medicine residency program under the Department of Anesthesia at McMaster University. He has also completed a sports medicine research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, with a focus on Ultrasound Guided Musculoskeletal and Peripheral Nerve Interventions, as well as his diplomat in Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician through the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine (CASEM). Dr. Maida is currently the Medical Director of the Michael G. DeGroote pain clinic at McMaster University and Head of Service at Hamilton Health Sciences for Pain Behaviours for the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Maida has worked as a team physician with the McMaster University varsity soccer and football teams, Canadian Junior National Basketball Team (NEDA) and is currently the Head Team Physician for the Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL). Dr. Maida is also actively involved in resident and medical school education. He currently serves as Section Coordinator for pain medicine teaching in the department Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Education Coordinator for the Pain Medicine residency program under the department of Anaesthesia. Dr. Maida is also the current Chair of the Anesthesia pain rounds, and Lecturer for undergraduate introductory pain session for McMaster University medical students. In addition to being the co-chair of National Pain Rounds for trainees, Dr. Maida is also part of the National Pain Rounds Committee.
Co-Chair
Dr. Avinash Sinha
An assistant professor in the department of anesthesia at McGill University Health Center. He was born in India, raised & educated in the United Kingdom (UK), thus his practice as a physician & clinical teacher reflects the apprenticeship style of clinical education in the UK. Subsequent to a productive Fellowship training year in Toronto [2002-3], he relocated to Montréal; awarded an academic staff [Professeur Selectionné] anesthesiologist position at McGill in 2005. Regarded as an approachable expert resource in [ultrasound guided] regional anesthesia for nurse, trainee & staff colleagues, he is responsible for successfully implementing multi-disciplinary teams for enhanced recovery programs. Actively involved in education in pain management strategies in both anesthesia and surgical residency training programs, he promotes an integrated approach to complex acute & acute on chronic pain management in a busy trauma center, leveraging the resources of both the chronic & acute pain experts. He has pursued a greater understanding of education principles, through educational certificate courses [Harvard], faculty development resources [McGill] & leadership development [PLI & McGill Executive institute] culminating in departmental leadership in Medical student supervision. Aiming to implement a modern educational paradigm, he is working to develop asynchronous learning materials to support learners, curating & developing videos & vignettes according to student defined needs. Currently he is exploring education from multiple different perspectives, through Knowledge Translation and Implementation Science in the development of inter- professional teams. To enhance learner engagement through agency & partnership, in collaboration with Teaching & Learning services at McGill & the McGill Anesthesia Interest group, he is publishing a medical student handbook.
Our Dedicated Committee
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.
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.
Co-Chair
Dr. Helena Daudt
Director of Education at Pain BC/Pain Canada. She leads Pain BC/Pain Canada’s educational initiatives including Making Sense of Pain, a self-management program designed for people living with pain, who experience marginalization and face barriers to accessing care and support. As an educator and researcher, Dr Daudt has been supporting healthcare improvement through patient engagement and knowledge exchange in different settings. She is also a person living with chronic pain and brings the lived experience lens to the work she does. Dr Daudt is passionate about building capacity among people with lived experience, their support network, and healthcare providers to ensure people receive high-quality care and experience the best quality of life possible.
Co-Chair
Dr. Bradley Kerr
Dr. Bradley Kerr received his BSc in Psychology from McGill University. He then went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of London-King’s College in the UK. His PhD research was aimed at understanding the role of novel modulatory peptides, growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines in persistent pain. Dr. Kerr went on to do postdoctoral work at the California Institute of Technology and at McGill University where his work focused on studying inflammatory responses after nervous system injury. Dr. Kerr joined the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Alberta in 2007 and is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Psychiatry. The focus of research in his lab is aimed at addressing the mechanisms of chronic pain after injury or disease with a major focus on chronic pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis.
Dr. Eugene Maida
Assistant Clinical Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) with a cross appointment in the Department of Anesthesia at McMaster University. Dr. Maida is a physiatrist and interventional pain physician with a special interest in spine and musculoskeletal medicine. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and later completed subspecialty training in the Pain Medicine residency program under the Department of Anesthesia at McMaster University. He has also completed a sports medicine research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, with a focus on Ultrasound Guided Musculoskeletal and Peripheral Nerve Interventions, as well as his diplomat in Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician through the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine (CASEM). Dr. Maida is currently the Medical Director of the Michael G. DeGroote pain clinic at McMaster University and Head of Service at Hamilton Health Sciences for Pain Behaviours for the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to being the co-chair of National Pain Rounds for trainees, Dr. Maida is also part of the National Pain Rounds Committee.
Dr. Tania Di Renna
Dr. Tania Di Renna, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, completed her medical school and Anesthesiology residency training in Ottawa. She obtained a chronic pain fellowship at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and has spinal cord stimulation training from Montreal Neurological Institute. She is currently the Medical Director of the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI). TAPMI is the comprehensive interdisciplinary academic pain program serving as the hub for chronic pain care in Toronto. She is also the Medical Director of the Chronic Pain Clinic at Women’s College Hospital and an Anesthesiologist at UHN. She served as the co-chair of the HQO Guidelines for Chronic Pain, is currently the co-chair of the Ontario Chronic Pain Network and Ontario Representative for Pain Canada.
Jennifer Daly-Cyr
Jennifer’s professional background is in marketing and strategic planning in higher education. Since a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, she has been on a journey of learning to live with persistent acute episodes of pain and adapting to the dramatic changes this has brought to her daily life. She has leveraged her skills and experience to advocate, collaborate and share her perspective as a person with lived experience/patient partner/advisor with national and provincial pain research initiatives and projects, including with the Chronic Pain Network, Pain Ontario and the Canadian Pain Society. She advocates for the incorporation of the lived experience perspective into research, broadened awareness of chronic pain, improving understanding about the value of patient engagement in research and for improved access to health care and support for people living with pain.