Dr. Hance Clarke Appointed Tier 2 Canada Research Chair
The Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine is proud to announce that Dr. Hance Clarke, a globally recognized clinician-scientist, has been appointed as the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Chronic Pain, Mental Health, and Substance Use. This prestigious appointment recognizes his exceptional contributions to advancing pain management, opioid risk mitigation, and public health strategies. In addition to this honour, Dr. Clarke also holds the University Health Network GoodHope Ehlers-Danlos Chair in Translational Medicine, further solidifying his leadership in groundbreaking research and clinical innovation.
Transformative Contributions to Pain Management
Dr. Clarke is celebrated for his pioneering work in establishing the world’s first Transitional Pain Program at Toronto General Hospital, which has revolutionized perioperative care by addressing chronic postsurgical pain and improving patient outcomes. This program has set a global standard for multidisciplinary approaches to pain management and opioid risk mitigation.
In his role as the inaugural GoodHope Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Chair in Translational Medicine, Dr. Clarke has developed a multidisciplinary program that has become a global leader in research and care for individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders. His work continues to transform the landscape of patient care, offering innovative solutions for complex conditions.
Research Leadership and Collaboration
Dr. Clarke’s research portfolio is extensive, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as British Medical Journal and British Journal of Anaesthesia. He has secured over $20 million in research funding as a principal or co-investigator and collaborator, focusing on multimodal analgesia, novel postoperative pain interventions, cannabis therapeutics, and precision medicine initiatives.
He has led CIHR-funded studies exploring cannabis-based precision medicine for osteoarthritis, spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving opioid safety postoperatively, and studies that examined the mental health of complex pain patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. His ability to unite multidisciplinary teams has fostered impactful collaborations across clinical, academic, and policy domains, driving advancements in patient care and public health.
Educational Contributions and Mentorship
Dr. Clarke is deeply committed to education and mentorship. He has developed accredited continuing medical education programs such as the Canadian Cannabis Syllabus and modules on opioid use disorder management. He has supervised over 25 trainees, including 17 fellows who now lead pain programs globally. His dedication to integrating research findings into clinical practice has earned him multiple Teaching Excellence Awards from the University of Toronto.
National and International Leadership in Pain Research
Dr. Clarke’s influence extends beyond research into national leadership roles. As President of the Canadian Pain Society and the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids, he has shaped national research agendas and championed evidence-based policies to improve care for patients with chronic pain and substance use disorders. He also played a pivotal role in organizing Canada’s first National Pain Congress in collaboration with Health Canada, further establishing his influence on policy development and clinical innovation. Internationally, Dr. Clarke received a Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship for his evidence-based solutions-focused research on pain care and treatment and was recently chosen by the American Academy of Pain Medicine to receive the Robert G. Addison Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts fostering international collaboration on behalf of the specialty of pain medicine.
Recognizing Excellence
Dr. Clarke’s dual appointments as Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Chronic Pain, Mental Health, and Substance Use, along with his role as the GoodHope Ehlers-Danlos Chair in Translational Medicine, underscore his profound impact on advancing knowledge, improving clinical outcomes, and fostering innovation across multiple fields of healthcare research. His leadership continues to inspire progress across clinical practice, education, public health policy, and translational medicine.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Hance Clarke on these remarkable achievements!
