Having led innovative interdisciplinary clinics focused on treating pain and preserving wellness for more than 40 years, Dr. Angela Mailis believes interprofessional collaboration is the best way to deliver pain management. In this part one episode of a two-part series we chat with Dr. Mailis, a physiatrist, specialist pain physician, clinical professor, and leading authority on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain. She’s joined by Dr. Demetry Assimakopoulos, OCA’s 2022 Dr. Michael Brickman Heart and Hands Award winner, who has worked collaboratively with Dr. Mailis since 2015. Together, they share their best practice approaches to pain management. Dr. Mailis also outlines her introduction to chiropractic care, the role chiropractors play in her clinic and what she seeks in the DCs she hires.
Topics Covered:
- Physician-led Pain & Wellness Centre in Vaughan and its interdisciplinary model
- The Centre's innovative culture, patient-centred communications and supports to optimize it
- Dr. Assimankopoulos' approach to pain management
- Unique features of Demetry's work and environment
- How Dr. Mailis learned about chiropractors and what surprised her
- Demetry's transition to the Univerity Health Network (UHN)
- Evolution of chiropractic care at UHN
- Role and value of chiropractors at the Centre
- Dr. Mailis' message to other physicians
- Top three attributes Dr. Mailis seeks in chiropractors
Key Links to References/Resources Discussed:
About Dr. Angela Mailis:
Dr. Mailis is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, has a Master's Degree from the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, has served as Senior Investigator with the Krembil Neuroscience Centre/ University Health Network up to 2015, and became a full professor at the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto in 2005. She is a member of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto and is currently an Adjunct Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Division of Physical Medicine. Since she started practising in 1982, her clinical and research interests focus on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain.
Dr. Mailis founded and directed the Comprehensive Pain Program of the Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network (1982-2015) and continues to be a full member of the Division of Physical Medicine and Consultant at the University Health Network Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program.
She is a national Evidence-Based Guideline developer, Chair of ACTION Ontario since 2005 (a not-for-profit organization for education and advocacy for patients with neuropathic pain), and a highly respected medicolegal expert in matters of chronic pain across the country.
Dr. Mailis has published more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers; credited with “first publications in the world” on a number of pain conditions; recognized as an international expert on specific specialty areas; has trained numerous students and international trainees; and has lectured around the world on matters of chronic pain.
She is also a Popular Science writer (has written BEYOND PAIN published in the USA and Canada) and CARP-Advocacy electronic newsletter contributor monthly (2009-2014), while her new book “Smart, Successful and Abused” will be published in September 2019 by Sutherland House. She has appeared on numerous media outlets (print, radio, TV) over the years promoting understanding and advocacy on chronic pain.
She has participated in several hospital and university committees and serves as an advisor to the Ontario Ministry of Health since 2009 as well as federal committees and health panels.
Dr. Mailis was nominated to the 75 semi-finalists “top immigrants” in Canada for 2011. She is a recipient of the Hellenic Women’s Coming of Age Celebration Award (May 2004); Division of Physiatry, University of Toronto, Achievement Award (June 2005); the 2013 Canadian Pain Society Harold Merskey Award; and the Division of Physiatry Life Award in 2014.
As of September 2014, Dr. Mailis created an interdisciplinary best-practices community pain clinic in Vaughan (Pain & Wellness Centre). The Centre was proclaimed in October 2016 by the Ontario Ministry of Health the “Demonstration Project of Ontario” as the template for further similar community-based clinics, that connect the community to the academic hospitals. The Pain and Wellness Centre not only offers chronic pain consultations but serves as an educational hub for numerous trainees, and also a research centre studying chronic pain in the community.
About Dr. Demetry Assimakopoulos ('Dr. Demetry'):
Dr. Demetry received his specialized honours undergraduate degree from York University in 2008. He concurrently earned a specialty in Fitness Assessment and Exercise Counseling, and the title of Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP).
Dr. Demetry graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 2012 and immediately began practising in midtown Toronto. In 2014, Dr. Demetry became the Clinical Coordinator for the University Health Network (UHN) Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program at The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. In the hospital setting, Demetry works with a team of physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists to adequately diagnose and manage chronic pain.
He earned his diplomate in chronic pain management through the Canadian Academy of Pain Management in 2015. He has since been hosted by several provincial associations across Canada to lecture to health care providers on the conservative and interdisciplinary management of chronic pain. He was happy to finally join the fabulous team at the Pain and Wellness Centre in November 2017.
Dr. Demetry was voted to receive the members' choice 2022 Dr. Michael Brickman Heart and Hands Award from the Ontario Chiropractic Association for embodying a generous and giving spirit (the heart) with remarkable passion and dedication to chiropractic care (the hands).
