Dr. Aaron MacINNES, BSc (Pharm), MD, FRCPC

Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Specialist

Medical Director & Co-Founder

Dr. MacINNES is an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. He studied pharmacy (BScPharm) and medicine (MD) at the University of British Columbia. He completed his anesthesiology residency and pain management speciality training at the University of Manitoba.

Dr. MacINNES has been working as a pain management specialist in Fraser Health since 2011. In addition to his clinical work, he also acts as the Division Head of Pain Medicine for the Regional Department of Anesthesiology in Fraser Health. He is also involved in several regional and provincial working groups to bring improved access and care for those with chronic pain.
Dr. MacINNES is a Clinical Associate Professor and Division Head of Pain Management in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He is involved in teaching at the undergraduate, medical student, resident and fellow levels. Dr. MacINNES has also been recognized as an expert witness in pain management in the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia where he has provided testimony.

Dr. MacINNES’ current practice in chronic pain is broad-based where his areas of interest include: axial spine pain, neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, whiplash-associated disorders, headache and facial pain. He provides both medical and interventional care for his patients. Dr. MacINNES also participates in clinical research where his interests include; discovering biomarkers for chronic pain, patient education as well as attempting to better understand patient’s experience with chronic pain.

Dr. Audrey Chen, BSc (PT), MD, FRCPC

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine

Co-Founder

Dr. Chen is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine specialist. She completed her bachelor of Kinesiology and master of Physical Therapy degree before obtaining her medical degree at the University of Calgary. Dr. Chen then completed her residency in PM&R at Dalhousie University and finally her Pain Medicine residency at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Chen has been practicing physiatry and pain medicine since 2018 at the Canadian Pain & Regenerative Institute, the VGH Transitional Pain Clinic, Bill Nelems Pain and Research Centre, and the New Westminster Rehabilitation Clinic.

Dr. Chen’s clinical interests include spasticity, migraine management, and interventional pain medicine fluoroscopic and ultrasound guided procedures. Additionally, Dr. Chen participates in research to support the reduction of opioids in the management of chronic pain.

Dr. Gurpreet (Garry) Palak, MB, BCh, BAO, SCG, FRCPC

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicinee

Co-Founder

Dr. Palak is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine specialist. Dr. Palak completed his undergraduate studies in Kinesiology, his medical degree from University College Cork (Ireland), and his residency and sub-specialty fellowship at McMaster University.

Dr. Palak’s has been working as physiatrist and pain medicine specialist since 2019 at the University Hospital of North British Columbia Pain Clinic in Prince George and Hilltop Clinic in White Rock. The primary focus of his practice is musculoskeletal medicine and interventional axial spine pain management.

Dr. Palak is a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at UBC and is involved in teaching at the medical student, resident, and fellow levels. In addition, Dr. Palak is the medical lead for rehabilitation services in the Northern Health Authority and rehabilitation ward facility engagement at UHNBC.

Dr. Palak’s clinic interests include sports medicine, spasticity management, interventional pain medicine procedures, neuromodulation, and regenerative therapies.