Patient Partners

Mary Brachaniec is a retired physiotherapist with experience in several national and provincial Arthritis Society initiatives. She also served on the CIHR Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Knowledge Exchange Task Force and the Cochrane Consumer Network for several years.

Mary is the past Co-Chair of the Chronic Pain Network’s Knowledge Translation committee.

Mary Brachaniec is a retired physiotherapist with experience in several national and provincial Arthritis Society initiatives. She also served on the CIHR Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Knowledge Exchange Task Force and the Cochrane Consumer Network for several years.

Mary is the past Co-Chair of the Chronic Pain Network’s Knowledge Translation committee.

Carolynn Bulmer is a group leader for the Vanderhoof Chronic Pain Self Management and Support Group. She participates the advisory committees with Northern Health and community physicians relating to chronic pain.

Carolynn sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Carolynn Bulmer is a group leader for the Vanderhoof Chronic Pain Self Management and Support Group. She participates the advisory committees with Northern Health and community physicians relating to chronic pain.

Carolynn sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Lynn Cooper was formerly president of the Canadian Pain Coalition, which disbanded in 2017. She has spent more than 20 years volunteering with organizations that seek to better understand issues surrounding chronic pain, and furthering research into and management of chronic pain.

Lynn sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Steering committee

Lynn Cooper was formerly president of the Canadian Pain Coalition, which disbanded in 2017. She has spent more than 20 years volunteering with organizations that seek to better understand issues surrounding chronic pain, and furthering research into and management of chronic pain.

Lynn sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Steering committee

Since the sudden onset of severe pain, Jennifer has been on a journey of learning to live with pain and adapting to the dramatic changes this has brought to her daily life. She leverages her lived patient experience and professional background in making a contribution to chronic pain research in Canada. Jennifer sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement Committee and Knowledge Translation Committee.

Jennifer sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement Committee.

Since the sudden onset of severe pain, Jennifer has been on a journey of learning to live with pain and adapting to the dramatic changes this has brought to her daily life. She leverages her lived patient experience and professional background in making a contribution to chronic pain research in Canada. Jennifer sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement Committee and Knowledge Translation Committee.

Jennifer sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement Committee.

Chris is a partner in an economic and management consulting firm in Halifax. As a volunteer and patient consultant involved in arthritis research for over a decade, Chris has worked with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The Arthritis Society,Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, Canadian Arthritis Network, and AbbVie Pharmaceutical Research & Development across a broad range of projects. Chris has also served as consumer advisor on a number of arthritis research initiatives.

Chris is the co-chair of the Clinical Research Network.

Chris is a partner in an economic and management consulting firm in Halifax. As a volunteer and patient consultant involved in arthritis research for over a decade, Chris has worked with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The Arthritis Society,Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, Canadian Arthritis Network, and AbbVie Pharmaceutical Research & Development across a broad range of projects. Chris has also served as consumer advisor on a number of arthritis research initiatives.

Chris is the co-chair of the Clinical Research Network.

Mario seeks to help improve healthcare by partnering, as a patient, with various institutions and organisations. He is a Co-Facilitator in the Faculty of Medicine of University of Montreal, a Master Trainer of chronic disease and chronic pain self-management programmes with Stanford University, a Patient Advisor at McGill University Health Centre and a Patient Surveyor at Accreditation Canada.

Mario sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Mario seeks to help improve healthcare by partnering, as a patient, with various institutions and organisations. He is a Co-Facilitator in the Faculty of Medicine of University of Montreal, a Master Trainer of chronic disease and chronic pain self-management programmes with Stanford University, a Patient Advisor at McGill University Health Centre and a Patient Surveyor at Accreditation Canada.

Mario sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Kathleen Eubanks is the Co-Founder and President of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Canada.

Kathleen sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Kathleen Eubanks is the Co-Founder and President of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Canada.

Kathleen sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Janet Gunderson has been an active volunteer with The Arthritis Society for more 15 years. She is currently on the steering committee for the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and was formerly on The Consumer Advisory Council for the Canadian Arthritis Network. Janet is also active with the Cochrane Collaboration.

Janet sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee. She is also a member of the SPOR Evidence Alliance and the Saskatchewan SPOR network (SCPOR).

Janet Gunderson has been an active volunteer with The Arthritis Society for more 15 years. She is currently on the steering committee for the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and was formerly on The Consumer Advisory Council for the Canadian Arthritis Network. Janet is also active with the Cochrane Collaboration.

Janet sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee. She is also a member of the SPOR Evidence Alliance and the Saskatchewan SPOR network (SCPOR).

Therese is a patient advocate, volunteer and active member of Action Ontario PNP (peripheral nerve pain).

Therese sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Therese is a patient advocate, volunteer and active member of Action Ontario PNP (peripheral nerve pain).

Therese sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Curtis is a medical student at the University of British Columbia. He is a research assistant at a chronic pain clinic, CHANGEpain clinic in Vancouver and a volunteer with Pain BC. He plays the saxophone and is a farmer.

Curtis is part of the Chronic Pain Network’s Registry Working Group.

Curtis is a medical student at the University of British Columbia. He is a research assistant at a chronic pain clinic, CHANGEpain clinic in Vancouver and a volunteer with Pain BC. He plays the saxophone and is a farmer.

Curtis is part of the Chronic Pain Network’s Registry Working Group.

Karen Smith comes from a background in public relations. She has served on many non-profit boards and is involved in the health sector as a speaker for clinical education. She is a university health mentor at Dalhousie University and makes public presentations focusing on the “stigma and social consequences of pain.” She also sits on the Canadian Pain Society’s Scientific committee.

Karen sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Executive committee.

Karen Smith comes from a background in public relations. She has served on many non-profit boards and is involved in the health sector as a speaker for clinical education. She is a university health mentor at Dalhousie University and makes public presentations focusing on the “stigma and social consequences of pain.” She also sits on the Canadian Pain Society’s Scientific committee.

Karen sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Executive committee.

Janice is a person living with pain of various types throughout her life which includes neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia since 1998. Janice worked as a pharmacist in a teaching hospital for over 36 years. Janice worked in various capacities including an interdisciplinary team member of the Pediatric Chronic Pain Program at Children’s Hospital in London.

She is Co-Chair of the Patient/Public Working Group for the National Faculty at the National Pain Centre in Hamilton. Janice is on the Steering Council of the Fibromyalgia Association of Canada and is involved on the Research and Education Committees.

Janice sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Oriented Research Committee.

Janice is a person living with pain of various types throughout her life which includes neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia since 1998. Janice worked as a pharmacist in a teaching hospital for over 36 years. Janice worked in various capacities including an interdisciplinary team member of the Pediatric Chronic Pain Program at Children’s Hospital in London.

She is Co-Chair of the Patient/Public Working Group for the National Faculty at the National Pain Centre in Hamilton. Janice is on the Steering Council of the Fibromyalgia Association of Canada and is involved on the Research and Education Committees.

Janice sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Oriented Research Committee.

Marc White is co-founder, CEO and President of the Canadian Institute for the Relief of Pain and Disability. He is also a clinical assistant professor with the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia.

Marc sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Oriented Research committee and is part of the Clinical Research Network.

Marc White is co-founder, CEO and President of the Canadian Institute for the Relief of Pain and Disability. He is also a clinical assistant professor with the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia.

Marc sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Oriented Research committee and is part of the Clinical Research Network.

Billie Jo has a background in policy, communications and intergovernmental affairs. She is currently working on a collective action project to address gaps in education and awareness both within the health care sector and the community. Advocating for patient rights, she supports a more active participation in the development of patient treatment plans and the integration of care for patients living with chronic pain.

Billie Jo is a past Co-Chair of the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Oriented Research Committee.

Billie Jo has a background in policy, communications and intergovernmental affairs. She is currently working on a collective action project to address gaps in education and awareness both within the health care sector and the community. Advocating for patient rights, she supports a more active participation in the development of patient treatment plans and the integration of care for patients living with chronic pain.

Billie Jo is a past Co-Chair of the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Oriented Research Committee.

Isabel Jordan is the Chair of the Rare Disease Foundation, as well as a founding member. Isabel has volunteered with many non-profit groups and is active with Vancouver Parent 2 Parent Resource Network and a partner in the #ItDoesn’tHavetoHurt campaign.

Isabel sat on the Chronic Pain Network’s Knowledge Translation committee.

Isabel Jordan is the Chair of the Rare Disease Foundation, as well as a founding member. Isabel has volunteered with many non-profit groups and is active with Vancouver Parent 2 Parent Resource Network and a partner in the #ItDoesn’tHavetoHurt campaign.

Isabel sat on the Chronic Pain Network’s Knowledge Translation committee.

Rebecca Lee is a spokesperson for The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, contributor to the chronic illness and disability publication The Mighty and past member of Queen’s University InvisAbilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology from Queen’s University.

Rebecca sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.

Rebecca Lee is a spokesperson for The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, contributor to the chronic illness and disability publication The Mighty and past member of Queen’s University InvisAbilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology from Queen’s University.

Rebecca sits on the Chronic Pain Network’s Patient Engagement committee.