Celebrated Achievement in Healthcare

Jennifer Stinson, a trailblazing nurse practitioner and senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), has been honored with the esteemed 2025 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award. This prestigious recognition highlights her groundbreaking contributions to pediatric pain management.

Pioneering Digital Interventions

Stinson, who is also a professor at the University of Toronto’s Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, has gained acclaim for her innovative use of digital interventions, including mobile apps, virtual reality, and robotics, to enhance chronic pain management in children. Her work is paving the way for a new era in healthcare, focusing on how technology can alleviate suffering.

A Historic Milestone

As the first nurse clinician scientist ever to receive this award, Stinson’s achievement is a testament to the vital role that nurse leaders play in shaping healthcare policies. "Receiving the Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award is an incredible honor," Stinson stated, emphasizing the significance of her work in pediatric pain management.

Recognizing Excellence in Research

In 2025, the Gairdner Foundation honored eight exceptional researchers, including Daniel De Carvalho from the University of Toronto. Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president of research and innovation, lauded both recipients, highlighting their transformative impacts on patient care worldwide.

A Life Dedicated to Pain Management

Stinson’s dedication to improving chronic pain in children began during her PhD at the University of Toronto, where she established the chronic pain program at SickKids, the largest clinic of its kind in Canada. Her motivation stems from witnessing how nurses can dramatically enhance pain care for hospitalized children.

Innovative Solutions for Chronic Pain

Among her latest innovations is iCanCope, a smartphone app designed to help young people with sickle cell disease manage their pain through personalized coping strategies. After successful trials, this initiative is set to expand into sickle cell clinics nationwide, thanks to funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Transforming Patient Experiences with Technology

Stinson’s pioneering projects, including the interactive humanoid robot MEDi, are integral to easing medical anxieties for young patients. Additionally, initiatives like Pain Squad and iPeer2Peer showcase her commitment to co-designing solutions with patients and families.

Changing the Future of Pain Care

Stinson underscores the urgency of her work by noting that most research takes over 17 years to reach patients. Through implementation science, her team aims to accelerate access to evidence-based pain care for children, ensuring no child is left behind.

Cultivating Future Leaders in Healthcare

The Gairdner Award also recognizes Stinson’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of pediatric pain researchers, especially those with a nursing background. "I have the best job in the world, combining my role as a nurse practitioner with vital research to address the needs of Canadian youth living with chronic pain," she shared.