PICH strives to engage researchers and clinicians in the field of paediatric pain through different events targeted at sharing knowledge and improving current research and clinical practices. Some of our events include PICH2GO conferences, as well as smaller PICH mentoring events focused on providing insight and mentorship to PICH trainees from senior PICH members.

PICH2GO

PICH2GO is a series of dynamic educational and networking events co-hosted by PICH and children’s hospitals from around the globe. Featuring world-renowned keynote speakers, PICH2GO makes the world a less painful place for children through collaborative events that bring together patients, families, clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers.

Equity in focus: Transforming pain research for inclusive childhoods

Host institution: Shriners Hospitals for Children

Host city: Montreal, Canada

Date: November 2 & 3, 2025

Description: This year’s PICH2GO event in Montreal will feature a closed evening reception event on Sunday, November 2, 2025 and a full day of activities on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada, which will include:

  • A coping circus
  • Rapid-fire talk presentations
  • Pain expert presentations
  • And more…

EVENT PARTNER

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 31, 2025 at noon.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://redcap.link/829ooddy

To learn more about the event and view the programme, CLICK HERE

Host institution: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Host city: Cincinnati, USA

Dates: October 28 & 29, 2024

Description:

  • Demos/Tours
    • Inside the brain: fMRI facility (Dr. Robert Coghill, PhD)
    • Tour: Back to function: Inpatient rehabilitation program (Dr. Kendra Homan, PhD)
    • Demo: Understanding sensation: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) and vagus nerve stimulation techniques (Dr. Christopher King, PhD & Dr. Neha Santucci, MBBS, MD)
    • Demo: Seeing our connections: Ultrasound for joints (Dr. Patricia Vega Fernandez, MD, MSc)
  • Breakout session
    • Building a Research Lab (Dr. Bill Black, PhD, Dr. Kim Klages, PhD & Dr. Meghan McMurtry, PhD)
    • Building your Research Program (Dr. Vidya Chidambaran, MD, MS, FASA & Dr. Christopher King, PhD)
    • Grantsmanship / Applying for Funding (Dr. Mike Jankowski & Dr. Scott Powers, PhD)
    • Tips and Tricks for Networking (Dr. Robert Coghill, PhD & Dr. Emily Wakefield, PhD)
    • Creating your Brand (Dr. Susmita Kashikar-Zuck, PhD & Dr. Sara Williams, PhD)
    • Integrating Research Within a Clinical Position or Program (Dr. Anne Lynch-Jordan, PhD & Dr. Neha Santucci, MBBS, MD)
  • Presentation session
    • Increasing access to behavioural healthcare for pediatric chronic pain through community-engaged research (Dr. Natoshia Cunningham)
    • Leaning into Stigma and Injustice in Pediatric Pain (Dr. Lori Crosby, PsyD, Dr. Megan Miller, PhD & Dr. Emily Wakefield, PhD)
  • Storytelling workshop (Renira Narrandes, MA, MSc (OT), MPH)
  • Networking event at the Moerlein Lager House Restaurant and Brewery

Planning committee members: Fiona Campbell, Keo Michelle Chey, Kim Klages, Lindsay Jibb, Elisabeth Huang, Jennifer Stinson, Meghan McMurtry, and Susmita Kashikar-Zuck

EVENT PARTNER

extranet.cchmc.org

Host institution: Solutions for Kids in Pain

Host city: Halifax, Canada

Date: September 29, 2023

Description:

  • Panels
    • Grant writing (Speakers: Dr. Christine Chambers, Dr. Don Daniel Ocay, Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell, Dr. Melissa Pielech; Moderator: Dr. Lindsay Jibb)
    • Career trajectories (Speakers: Dr. Brittany Rosenbloom, Dr. Susan Tupper, Dr. Janet Curran; Moderator: Dr. Meghan McMurtry)
  • Speed dating
    • Managing collaborations and partnerships (Dr. Jennifer Stinson & Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell)
    • Careers outside academia (Dr. Louise Tunnah & Dr. Michael Sangster)
    • Work-life role management / Parenting in academia (Dr. Jordan Sheriko & Ms. Nicole Pope)
    • Science Knowledge Mobilization (Ms. Laura Gibson & Dr. Marsha Campbell-Yeo)
  • Networking session at Lower Deck Pub (Downtown)

EVENT PARTNER

Imagining a Pain Free World

Host institution: Shriners Hospitals for Children, CHU Sainte-Justine & Université de Montréal

Host city: Montreal, Canada

Dates: May 9 & 10, 2022

Description:

  • With a focus on innovative pain management strategies, the event featured keynote presentations and workshops on:
    • Virtual reality (Dr. Sylvie LeMay)
    • CARD game (Dr. Anna Taddio)
    • Hypnosis for pain management (Dr. David Ogez & Dr. Jennifer Aramideh)

EVENT PARTNERS

 

Knowledge Mobilization

Host institution: Shriners Hospitals for Children & Solutions for Kids in Pain

Virtual

Date: June 22, 2021

Description:

With a focus on innovative knowledge dissemination techniques, the event featured:

  • Keynote presentations
  • KT activity session
  • Quick fire presentations from KT experts
  • A virtual cocktail hour

Planning committee members: Lindsay Jibb, Melanie Noel, Argerie Tsimicalis, Kathryn Birnie, Nicole Alberts, Christelle Poulin-Harnois, Thierry Pauyo, Maria Pavlova, Nynke Van Den Hoogen, Don Daniel Ocay, Nicole Mackenzie, Karen Hurtubise, Praveenah Sivabalan, and Cynthia Nguyen

EVENT PARTNERS

 


Legacy and Future of Pain in Child Health

Host institution: Shriners Hospitals for Children

Host city: Montreal, Canada

Date: November 15, 2019

Planning committee members: Jennifer Stinson, Melanie Noel, Catherine Estelle-Ferland, Argerie Tsimicalis, Krista Baerg, Lindsay Jibb, Marsha Campbell-Yeo and Megan McMurtry

EVENT PARTNER

Moving the Field of Paediatric Pain Forward: From Cells to the Patient

Host institution: The Pain Management, Research and Education Centre at The Hospital for Sick Children

Host city: Toronto, Canada

Dates: November 13, 2018

Description: A line-up of dynamic speakers presenting emerging topics in the field of paediatric pain that span approaches in basic science and clinical research.

Co-hosts: Dr. Melanie Noel and Dr. Tuan Trang

EVENT PARTNER

Partnering Against Paediatric Pain – Early pain and its long-term consequence

Host institution: University Hospital Copenhagen & Pain in Early Life (PEARL) group

Host city: Copenhagen, Denmark

Dates: March 25 & 26, 2018

Description: This was the first international PICH2GO event, with a focus on paediatric pain.

EVENT PARTNER

 

Moving the Field of Paediatric Pain Forward: From Cells to the Patient

Host institution: The Pain Management, Research and Education Centre at The Hospital for Sick Children

Host city: Toronto, Canada

Dates: November 13, 2018

Description: A line-up of dynamic speakers presenting emerging topics in the field of paediatric pain that span approaches in basic science and clinical research.

Co-hosts: Dr. Melanie Noel and Dr. Tuan Trang

PICH2GO Indigenous

Host institution: IWK Health

Host city: Halifax, Canada

Dates: October 11 & 12, 2017

Key activities:

  • The event offered interactive sessions focused on pain in Indigenous children.
  • Panelists included: Dr. Carrie Bourassa, Dr. Marcia Anderson, Dr. Chris Mushquash, Dr. Debbie Martin, Dr. Margot Latimer, and John Sylliboy.

EVENT PARTNER

Unravelling the Puzzle of Pediatric Pain: From Neurons to Narratives

Host institution: Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation

Host city: Calgary, Canada

Dates: November 24 & 25, 2016

Description:

  • Coping Circus
  • Trainee Welcome Reception (Networking segment)
  • Clinician conference Unraveling the Puzzle of Paediatric Pain: From Neurons to Narratives
  • Research Dinner

EVENT PARTNER

Host institution: The Pain Management, Research and Education Centre at The Hospital for Sick Children

Host city: Toronto, Canada

Dates: November 9 & 10, 2016

Description:

  • Diverse and engaging education and networking opportunities to further pediatric pain clinical practice and research
  • Coping Circus – local trainees work with hospital clinicians and researchers to disseminate evidence based practices to patients and families
  • Researcher Networking Dinner, held at the Chelsea Hotel, for PICH trainees and faculty members
  • Workshop on powerful speaking for scientists
  • Conquering the Hurt Conference
  • “Art from the Heart” Aboriginal Children’s Hurt and Healing (ACHH) Exhibit

EVENT PARTNER

Webinars

PICH webinars are an amazing way to connect with trainees and faculty across the globe. Each month, a webinar is given on a topic about paediatric pain. The trainee provides a PowerPoint presentation about their research and a moderator asks questions and facilitates discussion.

Trainees and faculty from all over the world tune in and ask questions through the online platform as the presentation is given live. All PICH trainees are expected to give a least one webinar during their training.

Viewing information and Zoom links for each webinar are sent out a week prior and are only open to PICH trainees and PICH faculty.


Quality matters: Reviews and survey strategies to ensure quality in content and data

  • Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
  • Time: 3:00PM – 4:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Don Daniel Ocay
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Bots, Scammers and Sham Research Participants – ​The Frustrating New Reality of Online Research Recruitment and Data Collection? (Ligyana K. Candido and Michelle Lamont, University of Ottawa, Canada)
    • Emotion regulation in caregivers of individuals with chronic pain: A scoping review (Anastasia Mekhael, University of Guelph, Canada)
    • Child-friendly educational resources about needle pain management: What’s out there? (Olivia Dobson, University of Guelph, Canada)

 

We’re all part of the solution: Understanding diverse perspectives for resource development and equity

  • Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
  • Time: 4:00PM – 5:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Rhiannon Joslin
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Speaking to the Experts: Developing a Group Peer Support Intervention for Youth with Chronic Pain (Delane Linkiewich, University of Guelph, Canada)
    • Understanding Pediatric Pain Experiences: Learning from Asian Immigrant Youth and Caregivers (Mica Marbil, University of Calgary, Canada)
    • Developing and Gathering Feedback on an E-Resource and Caregiver-Guidance Manual for Adolescents with Needle-Related Fear, Pain, and Fainting: A Project Proposal (Emma Truffyn, University of Guelph, Canada)

 

What we see is what we are? Using visual tools/technologies to manage pain in childhood and understand chronic pain identity

  • Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
  • Time: 4:00PM – 5:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Maria Pavlova
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Development and validation of a self-report screening tool for pediatric neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome: Pediatric PainSCAN© (Giulia Mesaroli, The Hospital for Sick Children | University of Toronto, Canada)
    • Exploring Virtual Reality as a Tool for Reducing Pain and Anxiety in Children with Medical Complexity During Botulinum Toxin Injections: Insights from a Feasibility Study (Raissa Passos dos Santos, Université de Montréal, Canada)
    • A content analysis of pain and injury portrayals in ‘made for kids’ YouTube (Sophie Crouch, University of South Australia, Australia)
    • Exploring identity in young people with chronic pain: A photo-elicitation study (Tess Rugg, University of Bath, United Kingdom)

The chronic pain experience through the patient’s eyes

  • Date: Wednesday June 19, 2024
  • Time: 3:00PM – 4:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Rebecca Lee
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Content and Design Considerations for a Group Peer Support Intervention for Adolescents with Chronic Pain (Delane Linkiewich, University of Guelph, Canada)
    • “I have to carve my own way”: A qualitative investigation of children’s and young people’s beliefs about chronic pain experiences in chronic musculoskeletal conditions (Danielle Mountain, University of Manchester, United Kingdom)
    • Chronic Pain & Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer (Alex Pizzo, Concordia University, Canada)

Pain assessment and treatment: diverse perspectives make for better care

  • Date: Tuesday December 2, 2024
  • Time: 4:30PM – 6:00PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Samantha Louie-Poon
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Development and modification of two pain assessment tools for children and young people with cerebral palsy (Meredith Smith, University of Adelaide, Australia)
    • Anti-Black Racism and Children’s Pain Management (Bianca Matthews, Dalhousie University, Canada)
    • Parenting Pain Away: An Evaluation of an eHealth Learning Platform to Determine Acceptability, Feasibility and Utilization of Parent-Led Pain Management (Brianna Hughes, Dalhousie University, Canada)

Patient Perspectives on Pediatric Pain

  • Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023
  • Time: 3:00PM – 4:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Jillian Vinall Miller
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Photos Sculpt Youth Stories of their Major Surgery Journeys (Samantha Noyek, Canada)
    • The Perceptions of Adolescents with Chronic Pain About Peer Support (Delane Linkiewich, Canada)
    • Investigating the perception, understanding and experience of flourishing in adolescent chronic pain using Q-methodology (Ryan Parson, UK)

 

Expert Perspectives: Knowledge Mobilization of Existing Tools for Pediatric Pain Assessment and Intervention

  • Date: Thursday, June 29, 2023
  • Time: 3:00PM – 4:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Paula Forgeron
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Expert recommendations on using electronic medical records to care for hospitalised children with pain (Nicole Pope, Australia)
    • Making Needles Comfortable for Children with Autism: Parent Perspectives on Tailoring Existing Tools (Olivia Dobson, Canada)
    • Researchers’ perspectives on factors supporting successful knowledge mobilization in pediatric pain: A mixed-methods approach (Nicole MacKenzie, Canada)

 

Predictors and Prevention of Chronic Pain in Youth

  • Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
  • Time: 4:00PM – 5:30PM ET
  • Moderator: Dr. Jillian Vinall Miller
  • Presentations (Speakers):
    • Identifying and harnessing opportunities for children to learn about pain and injury (Sarah Wallwork, Australia)
    • Changes in brain microstructure with the chronification of pain in youth at risk for internalizing mental health conditions (Jenna Jesse, Canada)
    • Predictors of the development of chronic pain following concussion in youth (Atiqa Priwani, Canada)

Mentorship

The PICH Mentorship initiative is led by our trainee representatives, Nynke van den Hoogen and Maria Pavlova. This initiative is focused on providing mentorship and networking opportunities for trainees and faculty members. Virtual mentorship events are held 3-4 times year. PICH Mentorship events are open to PICH trainees and PICH faculty.

If you have any suggestions that can help improve the PICH Mentorship initiative, please complete our Mentorship initiative suggestion form.

There are no events scheduled at this time. Stay tuned for details on upcoming events!

Cyber PICH: Virtual panel discussions

Career Development
June 2, 2020

The first Cyber PICH event included a wonderful line up of speakers including Drs. Katie Birnie, Jillian Vinall Miller, Rachael Bosma and Dawn Richards. The panelists shared their experiences and expertise in paediatric pain research career paths, tips on networking and applying for jobs and grants. The event also included a Q&A component and a breakout room for the opportunity for trainees to engage with the panelists in small groups.

Diversity in leadership, research, clinical practice and lived experience
Sept. 8, 2020

The second Cyber PICH event focused on diversity in leadership, research, clinical practice, lived experience. The panelists included Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell, Vina Mohabir, Dr. Hance Clarke and Dr. Margot Latimer.

Grant writing skills
January 22, 2021

Dr. Katelynn Boerner (University of British Columbia), Dr. Tuan Trang (University of Calgary), and Dr. Melissa Dalgleish (SickKids Research Institute) shared their expertise on grant writing skills.

Watch a recording of the Grant Writing Skills session
(Passcode: whuA#h91)

Fantastic Careers in Academia and Where to Find Them

October 15, 2021

Dr. Laura Simons, Dr. Joshua Pate, and Dr. Sabine Soltani shared their experiences related to exploring different paths towards academic careers.

Virtual Coffee

Trainees are paired with faculty members for a one-hour mentorship session. The one-hour meeting will be trainee-driven as trainees will come prepared with questions and ideas to discuss. This initiative will gives trainees the opportunity to practice networking, discuss career goals and how to reach them, and/or talk about any post-doctoral or lab visit opportunities.

Sign up for a virtual coffee chat!

Other PICH Events 

Conquering the Hurt Conference : Risk and Resilience

November 3, 2020

The Pain Centre at The Hospital for Sick Children partnered with PICH. The conference included Rapid Fire presentations from our PICH Trainees. The PICH Networking event included Pediatric Pain Trivia hosted by Maria Pavlova and Dr. Nynke van den Hoogen followed by a presentation on Research Continuity in the Face of the Pandemic by Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell.

Read the conference report

Conquering the Hurt Conference : Together Through Global Connections

November 2, 2021

The annual Conquering the Hurt Conference is organized by the SickKids Pain Centre in partnership with Pain in Child Health, Solutions for Kids in Pain and the SickKids Garron Family Cancer Centre. The conference included Rapid Fire presentations from our trainees; Delane Linkiewich, Emily Wildeboer, Don Daniel Ocay, Neta Baram, Kaytlin Constantin, and Nicole MacKenzie.

Minding Pain Conference

November 7-8 2022

The SickKids Pain Centre Annual Conference for 2022 was in partnership with the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health which took place during National Pain Awareness Week #NPAW at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning (PGCRL). The keynote speakers included Dr. Gregory Wells, Dr. Christine Chambers, Isabel Jordan, Dr. Peter Szatmari and Dr. Steven Miller. The presentations included topics covering Mental Health and Pain, Knowledge Mobilization, Health Equity and Pain in the Developing Brain.