Nurse wins prestigious award, for helping kids with chronic pain
Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Stinson Wins Gairdner Award for Pain Management Research
Jennifer Stinson, a nurse practitioner at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, has been honored with a prestigious Gairdner Award for her groundbreaking research in helping children and teens manage pain. This recognition marks the first time a nurse has been awarded this prestigious accolade by the Gairdner Foundation, which annually celebrates scientists who make significant contributions to human health worldwide.
Speaking from Australia, where she was attending a scientific conference, Stinson expressed her delight at the acknowledgment of nurses’ vital role in research. She emphasized the importance of listening to patients and collaborating across various disciplines to find effective solutions. Stinson’s work at the Pain Centre at SickKids Hospital focuses on developing digital tools, including apps and robots, to assist young patients dealing with chronic pain from conditions like arthritis, sickle cell disease, and cancer.
One of Stinson’s notable achievements is the creation of the iCanCope app, designed to help children and adolescents monitor and manage their pain levels on a daily basis. The app enables users to track how their activities impact their pain, set goals for improvement, and access evidence-based strategies for pain management. Additionally, iCanCope provides a platform for social support and shared experiences among young patients.
Stinson’s team also developed a robot named Medi, designed to interact with children undergoing painful medical procedures. This innovative approach helps educate and comfort young patients during challenging treatments by teaching relaxation techniques and providing distractions through music and dance. Currently, Stinson is involved in a clinical trial utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance a robot’s ability to respond to children’s emotional cues during medical procedures.
Patient input is central to Stinson’s research, with former patients actively contributing to study design and implementation. Several former patients have even pursued careers in medicine, nursing, or health research, reflecting the impact of Stinson’s compassionate approach to patient care and research.
The Gairdner Awards, established in 1957, also recognized other esteemed scientists for their contributions to human health. The 2025 international winners include Dr. Michael Welsh and Paul Negulescu for their groundbreaking work in transforming cystic fibrosis treatment, as well as Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Iva Greenwald, and Gary Struhl for their pioneering research in cell communication and its implications in cancer and developmental disorders. The 2025 Gairdner Global Health award was presented to Dr. Andre Briend for his invention of a therapeutic food paste for treating severe acute malnutrition.
Stinson’s dedication to improving pain management for pediatric patients exemplifies the profound impact of nursing research on healthcare innovation. Her innovative approaches and commitment to patient-centered care continue to inspire future generations of healthcare professionals.
