Putting the Pieces Together conference

Jean-François is the Manager of the Chronic Pain Policy Team within the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch at Health Canada. In his role, Jean-François oversees the coordination of the federal response to the Canadian Pain Task Force recommendations. Prior to joining the Team in October 2021, Jean-François held many policy positions within the federal government, including in the Department of Finance Canada, Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Maria Hudspith is the Executive Director of Pain BC, the sponsor organization supporting the Pain Canada action network. Her work has involved mobilizing communities, engaging patients in organizational decision making, and advancing progressive agendas through policy change and program development. She is one of 15 Principal Investigators in the CIHR-funded Chronic Pain Network, the first national pain research network in Canada, and is the co-lead for patient engagement in the Network. She was also the co-chair of Health Canada’s Canadian Pain Task Force, which delivered its final report, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada, in 2021.

Neil Pearson is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, author, researcher, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, faculty in three IAYT-accredited yoga therapy programs, board member for International Association of Yoga Therapists and pain care advocate. He conducts research into the effects of yoga on veterans with chronic pain and people with knee osteoarthritis. Neil is the recipient of awards honouring his work in pain care, patient education and physiotherapy by Queen’s University, the Canadian Pain Society and both provincial and national physiotherapy associations, including the Canadian 2021 Medal of Distinction. Neil is a consultant to partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services, and to Lifemark’s 300+ clinics in Canada. Neil is a past board member for Pain BC, Canada’s premier non-profit transforming the way pain is understood and treated. He co-authored – Yoga and Science in Pain Care 2019, authored the patient education ebook, Understand Pain Live Well Again in 2008, and is lead contributor to many free patient resources offered by Pain BC.

Jenny is a Spoonie, patient partner, advocate, & volunteer with many organizations including Pain BC, Pain Canada, Chronic Pain Network, and Power Over Pain Network. On top of these roles, she is also a Somatic Therapist with the Centre for Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy®, End of Life Doula, holistic health practitioner, counselling student, and former hospice nurse and theatre artist.  

Jenny’s own lived experience with complex chronic disease has given her a greater depth of understanding of the multiple dimensions of pain, stress, trauma, chronic and life-limiting illness, and of healing. She is dedicated to walking alongside individuals and families on their health and wellness continuum.

Among these roles she is a facilitator and mentor for Pain BC’s Peer Support & Wellness Groups, and currently leads their affinity/identity-based BIPOC pain support groups for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, or Bodies of Culture.

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Desmond Williams is a community healer and TRE  (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) practitioner, stand-up comedian and writer whose work is grounded in the culture, music, dancing, laughter and storytelling of his upbringing with the traditions of the Nlaka’pamux First Nations and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. 

Desmond’s work explores healing practices for People of the Global Majority, and how to foster the care and support needed to explore the depth of living this existence safely and effectively with others.

Delane Linkiewich has been living with chronic pain for the past 15 years and is a passionate advocate for people living with pain and engaging with people living with pain in research. She is currently a PhD student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Program at the University of Guelph where she is conducting research on peer support for youth living with chronic pain. Her PhD work focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating the “Chronic Pain Group Peer Support (GPS)” intervention.

She is actively involved in the pain community (e.g., Pain Canada's Putting the Pieces Together Conference, The Chronic Pain Network) and partners with research teams on pain-related projects.

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After a long struggle with her new reality of living with chronic pain as a young adult, Alvine realized the very first step to finding peace and a possibly long lasting solution to her pain was acceptance. Thanks to her interest in volunteering for studies, surveys and interviews on chronic pain, she came to know about Pain BC, Pain Canada as well as Power Over Pain Portal. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Bilingual Lettres (Double major - 2014), but after having worked in non-related fields, she has decided to become a social worker. Pain may have delayed her but can never take her dream and passion away from her.

Amanda was introduced to the concept of patient engagement in 2020 and knew that she was in the right place.  As someone with a basic science background who became a full-time caregiver in 2006, she wanted to contribute to research in a way that was meaningful and impactful, using the knowledge she gained as a parent navigating the health and education systems with her children. From 2017 to 2022, Amanda was a member of a local district advisory council for education, which gave her an understanding of the importance of data to inform policy and practice. She is currently partnering on several projects related to COVID-19 and others that involve sharing or developing materials for patient engagement. She has been a member of the HDRN Canada Public Advisory Council since September 2022 and is excited to be part of the process of using data to improve health and educate the public. She lives in Prince Edward Island with her partner and six children.

Captain Michael F. Harris, belongs to the Gitxsan Nation,  Gitanmaax Village,   House of Wii Gaak, and Laxgibuu (Wolf Clan).  Michael's Spirit Name is Nagwa Yel Wa which means He Who Walks Far.  His Gitxsan Traditional Feast Name is Miiluwit Lax Sa – He who dances on the clouds.  As a young boy, he became one of the 60 Scoopers, made a ward of the court and was abused.  

Recently after 51 years in the Marine Industry, Senior Master Captain Michael Harris retired to his traditional Gitxsan territory, Hazelton, BC in June 2021. He is a gifted, cultural and spiritual man as well as a traditional healer who helps people living with pain.  Throughout his life, he has served with many various community organizations.

Michael is a traditional pipe carrier, sweat lodge water pourer, ceremony leader and Sundancer.  

Michael, lives and copes with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  

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Christine MacIntosh, BGS was born in Rossland with  Sinxit and Celtic Nations heritage. Her Nlaka’pamux Elder Shar gave Christine a traditional, forever name, ‘Inika”. She has a diverse educational career and many volunteer experience’s: ranging from hospital & patient care, Naval Reserve and Service Industry to Program facilitation, University support staff, Indigenous Elder with MCFD Circle #5, and Counseling.  

She carries teachings from the Coast Salish, Nlaka’pamux and Gitxsan Nations.  These teachings lead Christine to participate and facilitate cultural events, programs and workshops.  

Her passion for building healthy communities and helping others developed at an early age. She initiated a community development project in London, Ontario in the 1980s. As President of Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (2011-2015), she was a catalyst for the Society’s growth and development. While living in Langley BC, she ran as a City Councilor.  

Her academic path began at Langara College in Arts and Sciences.  While working at Simon Fraser University, she enrolled in the Integrated Liberal Business Studies Degree Program.   She also studied Theology and was involved in many churches.

Since 2016, she has served as a STAR Elder with Ministry of Family Services Circle 5. Recently, Christine became an Indigenous & Criminal Court Navigator with Hazelton Law Centre.

Christine has lived with pain for a number of years due to injuries to her shoulder and lower back. She has facilitated Pain BC program: Making Sense of Pain.  

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Neil Pearson is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, author, researcher, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, faculty in three IAYT-accredited yoga therapy programs, board member for International Association of Yoga Therapists and pain care advocate. He conducts research into the effects of yoga on veterans with chronic pain and people with knee osteoarthritis. Neil is the recipient of awards honouring his work in pain care, patient education and physiotherapy by Queen’s University, the Canadian Pain Society and both provincial and national physiotherapy associations, including the Canadian 2021 Medal of Distinction. Neil is a consultant to partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services, and to Lifemark’s 300+ clinics in Canada. Neil is a past board member for Pain BC, Canada’s premier non-profit transforming the way pain is understood and treated. He co-authored – Yoga and Science in Pain Care 2019, authored the patient education ebook, Understand Pain Live Well Again in 2008, and is lead contributor to many free patient resources offered by Pain BC.

Jenny is a Spoonie, patient partner, advocate, & volunteer with many organizations including Pain BC, Pain Canada, Chronic Pain Network, and Power Over Pain Network. On top of these roles, she is also a Somatic Therapist with the Centre for Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy®, End of Life Doula, holistic health practitioner, counselling student, and former hospice nurse and theatre artist.  

Jenny’s own lived experience with complex chronic disease has given her a greater depth of understanding of the multiple dimensions of pain, stress, trauma, chronic and life-limiting illness, and of healing. She is dedicated to walking alongside individuals and families on their health and wellness continuum.

Among these roles she is a facilitator and mentor for Pain BC’s Peer Support & Wellness Groups, and currently leads their affinity/identity-based BIPOC pain support groups for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, or Bodies of Culture.

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Desmond Williams is a community healer and TRE  (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) practitioner, stand-up comedian and writer whose work is grounded in the culture, music, dancing, laughter and storytelling of his upbringing with the traditions of the Nlaka’pamux First Nations and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. 

Desmond’s work explores healing practices for People of the Global Majority, and how to foster the care and support needed to explore the depth of living this existence safely and effectively with others.

Delane Linkiewich has been living with chronic pain for the past 15 years and is a passionate advocate for people living with pain and engaging with people living with pain in research. She is currently a PhD student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Program at the University of Guelph where she is conducting research on peer support for youth living with chronic pain. Her PhD work focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating the “Chronic Pain Group Peer Support (GPS)” intervention.

She is actively involved in the pain community (e.g., Pain Canada's Putting the Pieces Together Conference, The Chronic Pain Network) and partners with research teams on pain-related projects.

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Alex Haagaard is a design researcher and patient advocate. Their work bridges critical disability theory, sociology of medicine and UX research, with the goal of improving health and community care experiences for disabled people, and particularly for people whose disabilities tend to be invisibilized by society. Their work is deeply informed by their own lived experience of chronic pain, neurodivergence and mental health difficulties related to their decades-long struggle to access diagnosis and appropriate healthcare for their chronic illnesses.

Therese has lived with pain and arthritis since her mid-teens. She is currently a steering committee member with the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and is actively involved with CreakyJoints, a support and advocacy organization for people living with arthritis and rheumatic disease. Therese is a patient partner with a number of research projects and initiatives, including the CIHR’s SPOR-funded Chronic Pain Network. She is also a patient partner for Partnership for Engagement of People in Chronic Pain Research (PEPR), a research initiative aimed at improving engagement of people with pain from equity-seeking communities. She is a member of the Canadian Pain Society’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is passionate about improving access to pain care for those who face additional barriers to care, including people living in poverty, women, and those most impacted by social injustices. Her own history of addiction and mental health challenges have made her all too aware of the stigma, judgment, and barriers faced by those attempting to access appropriate treatment for pain.

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Dr. Hood is a lecturer at the University of Manchester in the Division of Psychology and Mental Health, and she is a member of the Manchester Centre for Health Psychology collaborative network. She is also a clinical psychologist qualified in the USA and the UK.

Therese has lived with pain and arthritis since her mid-teens. She is currently a steering committee member with the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and is actively involved with CreakyJoints, a support and advocacy organization for people living with arthritis and rheumatic disease. Therese is a patient partner with a number of research projects and initiatives, including the CIHR’s SPOR-funded Chronic Pain Network. She is also a patient partner for Partnership for Engagement of People in Chronic Pain Research (PEPR), a research initiative aimed at improving engagement of people with pain from equity-seeking communities. She is a member of the Canadian Pain Society’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is passionate about improving access to pain care for those who face additional barriers to care, including people living in poverty, women, and those most impacted by social injustices. Her own history of addiction and mental health challenges have made her all too aware of the stigma, judgment, and barriers faced by those attempting to access appropriate treatment for pain.

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Neil Pearson is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, author, researcher, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, faculty in three IAYT-accredited yoga therapy programs, board member for International Association of Yoga Therapists and pain care advocate. He conducts research into the effects of yoga on veterans with chronic pain and people with knee osteoarthritis. Neil is the recipient of awards honouring his work in pain care, patient education and physiotherapy by Queen’s University, the Canadian Pain Society and both provincial and national physiotherapy associations, including the Canadian 2021 Medal of Distinction. Neil is a consultant to partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services, and to Lifemark’s 300+ clinics in Canada. Neil is a past board member for Pain BC, Canada’s premier non-profit transforming the way pain is understood and treated. He co-authored – Yoga and Science in Pain Care 2019, authored the patient education ebook, Understand Pain Live Well Again in 2008, and is lead contributor to many free patient resources offered by Pain BC.

Jenny is a Spoonie, patient partner, advocate, & volunteer with many organizations including Pain BC, Pain Canada, Chronic Pain Network, and Power Over Pain Network. On top of these roles, she is also a Somatic Therapist with the Centre for Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy®, End of Life Doula, holistic health practitioner, counselling student, and former hospice nurse and theatre artist.  

Jenny’s own lived experience with complex chronic disease has given her a greater depth of understanding of the multiple dimensions of pain, stress, trauma, chronic and life-limiting illness, and of healing. She is dedicated to walking alongside individuals and families on their health and wellness continuum.

Among these roles she is a facilitator and mentor for Pain BC’s Peer Support & Wellness Groups, and currently leads their affinity/identity-based BIPOC pain support groups for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, or Bodies of Culture.

‍

Desmond Williams is a community healer and TRE  (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) practitioner, stand-up comedian and writer whose work is grounded in the culture, music, dancing, laughter and storytelling of his upbringing with the traditions of the Nlaka’pamux First Nations and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. 

Desmond’s work explores healing practices for People of the Global Majority, and how to foster the care and support needed to explore the depth of living this existence safely and effectively with others.

Natasha is a Psychotherapist, Somatic Trauma Resolution Therapist, and Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR), with a special interest in exploring the connection between chronic pain/disease and underlying trauma, and in that pursuit recently completed a Research MA in Transpersonal Psychotherapy focused on “Engaging with Somatic Symptom and Disease to Inform BioPsychoSpiritual Transformation”.  

She has 20 years experience in private practice, and now works from an Integrative Health Centre in Nelson BC specializing in chronic pain and trauma. In addition to her psychotherapy practice Natasha has facilitated Chronic Pain Support Groups, works with Pain BC on various aspects of the Making Sense of Pain program and is a Hub team member for the ECHO program, an interdisciplinary support program for chronic pain healthcare providers. Natasha is also a Mentor within the BC Adaptive Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain, Mental Health and Substance Use.

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Desmond Williams is a community healer and TRE  (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) practitioner, stand-up comedian and writer whose work is grounded in the culture, music, dancing, laughter and storytelling of his upbringing with the traditions of the Nlaka’pamux First Nations and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. 

Desmond’s work explores healing practices for People of the Global Majority, and how to foster the care and support needed to explore the depth of living this existence safely and effectively with others.

Alex Haagaard is a design researcher and patient advocate. Their work bridges critical disability theory, sociology of medicine and UX research, with the goal of improving health and community care experiences for disabled people, and particularly for people whose disabilities tend to be invisibilized by society. Their work is deeply informed by their own lived experience of chronic pain, neurodivergence and mental health difficulties related to their decades-long struggle to access diagnosis and appropriate healthcare for their chronic illnesses.

Rob Boddice (British/Canadian), PhD, FRHistS, is the author/editor of 14 books, most recently Knowing Pain: A History of Sensation, Emotion and Experience (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2023). His 2018 and 2019 books, The History of Emotions (Manchester: Manchester University Press) and A History of Feelings (London: Reaktion) are defining works in the field. Boddice has published dozens of academic articles and book chapters and has written popular essays for Aeon Magazine, History Today and Psychology Today. He is the general editor of the series Elements in the Histories of Emotions and the Senses for Cambridge University Press and serves on the editorial board of the leading journal, Emotion Review. Boddice has held positions at the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University, the Department of Social Studies of Medicine at McGill University, the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin, and the Centre for the History of Emotions at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin. He is currently Senior Research Fellow at the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in the History of Experiences, Tampere University, Finland, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Neil Pearson is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, author, researcher, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, faculty in three IAYT-accredited yoga therapy programs, board member for International Association of Yoga Therapists and pain care advocate. He conducts research into the effects of yoga on veterans with chronic pain and people with knee osteoarthritis. Neil is the recipient of awards honouring his work in pain care, patient education and physiotherapy by Queen’s University, the Canadian Pain Society and both provincial and national physiotherapy associations, including the Canadian 2021 Medal of Distinction. Neil is a consultant to partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services, and to Lifemark’s 300+ clinics in Canada. Neil is a past board member for Pain BC, Canada’s premier non-profit transforming the way pain is understood and treated. He co-authored – Yoga and Science in Pain Care 2019, authored the patient education ebook, Understand Pain Live Well Again in 2008, and is lead contributor to many free patient resources offered by Pain BC.

Jenny is a Spoonie, patient partner, advocate, & volunteer with many organizations including Pain BC, Pain Canada, Chronic Pain Network, and Power Over Pain Network. On top of these roles, she is also a Somatic Therapist with the Centre for Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy®, End of Life Doula, holistic health practitioner, counselling student, and former hospice nurse and theatre artist.  

Jenny’s own lived experience with complex chronic disease has given her a greater depth of understanding of the multiple dimensions of pain, stress, trauma, chronic and life-limiting illness, and of healing. She is dedicated to walking alongside individuals and families on their health and wellness continuum.

Among these roles she is a facilitator and mentor for Pain BC’s Peer Support & Wellness Groups, and currently leads their affinity/identity-based BIPOC pain support groups for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, or Bodies of Culture.

‍

Desmond Williams is a community healer and TRE  (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) practitioner, stand-up comedian and writer whose work is grounded in the culture, music, dancing, laughter and storytelling of his upbringing with the traditions of the Nlaka’pamux First Nations and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. 

Desmond’s work explores healing practices for People of the Global Majority, and how to foster the care and support needed to explore the depth of living this existence safely and effectively with others.