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A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the transfer of knowledge on pain-related disorders and treatments.

ABOUT PAIN AB

Empowering clinicians to make informed decisions, and contribute to the advancement of their field.  Practical pearls equip healthcare providers with innovative techniques and best practices that impassion them to provide the best possible care.

Dr. Ivonne Hernandez

President, She/Her

I love being able to reduce the suffering in people with lived experience. Additionally, I believe in the power of strong communities and Pain AB gathers passionate healthcare professionals in pain management.

Janice Rae

President-Elect, She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Pamela Pyle

Lived Experience Representative, She/Her

I am involved with The Pain Society of Alberta so I can provide the patient experience. I have dealt with chronic pain for more than three (3) decades.

Diane Roylance

Secretary General, She/Her

I am involved with The Pain Society of Alberta as part of my evolution in helping improve the lives of those in pain. It is a privilege to be part of such a special group of kind, smart, hard working people.

Dr. Elisabeth Saxton

Past-President, She/Her

Right out of grad school I worked in an interdisciplinary pain program and saw first hand both the suffering and the success people living with pain can experience. Over my career I have heard how challenging the population is and seen how often they can be written off by professionals. This made me want to work with people living with pain more not less! I got into this work to see people function and thrive, often by helping them reconnect to their purpose. Helping people living with pain find their 'why' IS my 'why'.

Penny Barnes

Director, She/Her

As a nurse for over 30 years my passion is helping people. As the Pain Society of Alberta is pivotal in educating and supporting people living with pain, my involvement with PainAB allows me to fulfill my passion.

Dr. Ameya Bopardikar

Director, He/Him

As a chronic pain physician in Alberta, while I continue to advocate for my patients at the bedside, it is imperative that I continue to be a part of the education and management of pain for many others who continue to live with pain. The Pain Society of Alberta enables this outreach, and education amongst pain providers and peopl with lived experience.

Dr. Werner Becker

Director, He/Him

I am involved with the Pain Society of Alberta because chronic pain affects so many Canadians. Headache disorders, which are a special interest of mine, affect millions in Canada and are quite disabling for many. Migraine alone affects over 12% of the Canadian population.

Dr. Flo Slomp

Director, She/Her

Working with The Pain Society of Alberta gives me opportunities to work with some of the most vulnerable in our society. Additionally it creates excellent educational opportunties to share with allied health proffessionals.

Dr. Ashley Smith

Director, He/Him

My 'why' is coming!

Evan Ward

Director, He/Him

My 'why' is coming!

Krista Spence

Director, She/Her

I joined The Pain Society of Alberta team to be an advocate and be part of an interdisciplinary team that dedicates their work to provide excellent pain management and the tools to promote a functional and meaningful life for individuals experiencing persistent pain.

Innovative and experienced volunteers dedicated to upholding our missions and values.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Elisabeth Saxton

Co-Chair, She/Her

Right out of grad school I worked in an interdisciplinary pain program and saw first hand both the suffering and the success people living with pain can experience. Over my career I have heard how challenging the population is and seen how often they can be written off by professionals. This made me want to work with people living with pain more not less! I got into this work to see people function and thrive, often by helping them reconnect to their purpose. Helping people living with pain find their 'why' IS my 'why'.

Evan Ward

Co-Chair, He/Him

My 'why' is coming!

Alexandra Chisholm

She/Her

I joined The Pain Society of Alberta because I’m passionate about improving pain care, in an evidence informed way. Pain is a complex beast, and I see it’s effects both in my work and in my personal life. Hence my desire and commitment to improve care for those in pain.

Bonnie Klassen

She/Her

I am involved with The Pain Society of Alberta because I want to help reduce barriers in society for people living with pain. That includes increasing access to knowledgeable, compassionate interdisciplinary care, reducing stigma and judgement, and more people living their best lives and contributing in various meaningful roles. I also want to ensure that occupational therapists are included and valued.

Janice Rae

She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Stuart Miller

He/Him

I have an interest in knowledge translation of best practice approaches to pain management. Interdisciplinary. Realize that best practice is dependent on scientific evidence, practice-based experience (with client and families) and cultural knowledge and teachings. Honored to be part of group.

Dr. Werner Becker

He/Him

I am involved with the Pain Society of Alberta because chronic pain affects so many Canadians. Headache disorders, which are a special interest of mine, affect millions in Canada and are quite disabling for many. Migraine alone affects over 12% of the Canadian population.

Krista Spence

She/Her

I joined The Pain Society of Alberta team to be an advocate and be part of an interdisciplinary team that dedicates their work to provide excellent pain management and the tools to promote a functional and meaningful life for individuals experiencing persistent pain.

Erin Singer

She/Her

My interest in pain care began many years ago and I have been an advocate for reducing pain in all areas of health care. I became involved with the Pain Society of Alberta to work with other like-minded people from all areas of life. Together we can help people reduce their pain experience through education, interdisciplinary approaches, and compassion. We can truly help others when we listen and learn from their life experiences.

Dr. Yasmin Majeed

She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Evidence-Based educational events that embrace a whole person's health.

OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE

Dr. Ivonne Hernandez

She/Her

I love being able to reduce the suffering in people with lived experience. Additionally, I believe in the power of strong communities and Pain AB gathers passionate healthcare professionals in pain management.

Krista Spence

She/Her

I joined The Pain Society of Alberta team to be an advocate and be part of an interdisciplinary team that dedicates their work to provide excellent pain management and the tools to promote a functional and meaningful life for individuals experiencing persistent pain.

Ardella Heidebrecht 

She/Her

I've had first hand experience working with those who suffer from chronic pain conditions. This experience comes from my own experience with pain, years of study, working on an interdisciplinary team as part of a pain program, and years of adjudicating disability claims. I've attended the Pain Society of Alberta's Conference and have been wowed by the society's commitment to create a space to share evidence-based knowledge with clinicians. They've also created an inclusive space for those with lived experience to share and learn tools to add to their tool set of pain management. I'm excited to be a part of this community, and come together, to create change within the healthcare community to better serve those living with chronic pain conditions.

Dr. Einas Abdulrehman

She/Her

Being a dental professional for many years, I believe that managing patients with chronic pain is a big challenge and it needs a multidisciplinary approach, therefore being a part of a great organization like APS will help me assist more people in having a better life. We all know that pain management can help improve patients’ physical and mental functions and can create a better quality of life .

Working to shape a brighter, and inclusive future for pain education.

LET'S TALK ABOUT COMMITTEE

Diane Roylance

Co-Chair, She/Her

I am involved with The Pain Society of Alberta as part of my evolution in helping improve the lives of those in pain. It is a privilege to be part of such a special group of kind, smart, hard working people.

Janice Rae

Co-Chair, She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Dr. Ameya Bopardikar

He/Him

As a chronic pain physician in Alberta, while I continue to advocate for my patients at the bedside, it is imperative that I continue to be a part of the education and management of pain for many others who continue to live with pain. The Pain Society of Alberta enables this outreach, and education amongst pain providers and peopl with lived experience.

Dr. Cathy Scrimshaw

She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Dr. Flo Slomp

She/Her

Working with The Pain Society of Alberta gives me opportunities to work with some of the most vulnerable in our society. Additionally it creates excellent educational opportunties to share with allied health proffessionals.

Bonnie Klassen

She/Her

I am involved with The Pain Society of Alberta because I want to help reduce barriers in society for people living with pain. That includes increasing access to knowledgeable, compassionate interdisciplinary care, reducing stigma and judgement, and more people living their best lives and contributing in various meaningful roles. I also want to ensure that occupational therapists are included and valued.

Working to shape a brighter, and inclusive future for pain education.

ALBERTA PAIN EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Lisa Jasper

She/Her

I am happy to be involved with the Pain Society of Alberta and their work to share information and tools to help manage chronic pain. As a physiotherapist, researcher and educator, I see the many benefits of ongoing learning and sharing knowledge with other healthcare providers and those living with chronic pain. I believe that by working together we are all better at helping to manage chronic pain - and that the Pain Society of Alberta helps all of us work towards this common goal.

Tien Yen

He/Him

My 'why' is coming!

Penny Barnes

She/Her

As a nurse for over 30 years my passion is helping people. As the Pain Society of Alberta is pivotal in educating and supporting people living with pain, my involvement with PainAB allows me to fulfill my passion.

Lea Vespa

She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Dr. Flo Slomp

She/Her

Working with The Pain Society of Alberta gives me opportunities to work with some of the most vulnerable in our society. Additionally it creates excellent educational opportunties to share with allied health proffessionals.

Anna Crowe

She/Her

My 'why' is coming!

Cultivating an engaging online presence and sharing valuable pain-related information across  our various platforms.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE 

Learn, grow, thrive.

Stay informed and up to date on our many educational events.

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