Our Physicians
Our qualified team of healthcare professionals work collaboratively to deliver the best possible outcomes.
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 specialty training at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. MacINNES has been working as a pain management specialist in Fraser Health since 2011 and 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 former 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 is focused on axial spine pain and interventional procedures. 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. She is the current UBC Pain Medicine Residency Program Director.
Dr. Chen’s clinical interests include spasticity, migraine management, and interventional pain medicine with 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 Medicine
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 Northern British Columbia Pain Clinic in Prince George. 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. Dr. Palak is the medical lead for rehabilitation services in the Northern Health Authority and rehabilitation ward facility engagement at UHNBC. In addition, Dr. Palak is the Provincial Medical Director for Pain Care BC.
Dr. Palak’s clinic interests include sports medicine, spasticity management, interventional pain medicine procedures, neuromodulation, and regenerative therapy (PRP).
Dr. Aaron Bradford, MD
Family Practice and Pain Management
Associate
Dr. Aaron Bradford is a Family Physician with a special interest in chronic pain, procedural pain management, and addiction medicine. He has a degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. He completed his medical school and Family Medicine training at the University of British Columbia. He has been working in the Lower Mainland since 2019.
Dr. Bradford’s practice is focused on procedural pain management for chronic migraine headaches, shoulders, hips, knees, myofascial neck/back pain, and fibromyalgia.
His services include joint injections, peripheral nerve blocks, trigger point injections and Botox for migraines.
Dr. Stephen Wu, MD, FRCPC
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Associate
Dr. Stephen Wu is a UBC trained anesthesiologist working in Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health providing clinical services in perioperative care, interventional pain medicine, and medical education to medical and dental students and residents.
He has been fully licensed as a general practitioner in British Columbia since 2008 and subsequently received anesthesiology specialty credentials from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He was previously a physician staff and practice lead at a hospital interventional pain clinic for 15 years before joining Initium to provide interventional pain services.
Dr. Jess Polley, MD
Family Medicine and Sports Medicine
Associate
Dr. Jess Polley completed a fellowship in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) through the University of British Columbia. Dr. Polley’s practice includes treating injuries related to physical activity, sports, or exercise with non-surgical options including ultrasound guided corticosteroid injections, prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma (PRP), barbotage, and hyaluronic acid injections.
Dr. Michael Breden, MD, FRCPC
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Associate
Dr. Breden is an Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine specialist. Dr. Breden completed his undergraduate studies in Pharmacology, his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario, and his residency and sub-specialty training at McGill University and the University of Arizona. Dr. Breden obtained his FRCPC in Pain Medicine in 2021.
Dr. Breden has been practicing pain medicine since 1999. His practice is divided between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The primary focus of his practice is interventional axial spine pain management, comprehensive pain medicine, and clinical anesthesiology.
He is the Medical Lead for the Department of Anesthesiology , North Island Hospital , Campbell River and District.
Dr. Breden is a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at UBC and is involved in teaching at the medical student and resident levels.
Dr. Breden‘s clinical interests include interventional pain medicine procedures, myofascial pain, cervicogenic headaches, and complex pain disorders.