Kathryn Birnie

Dr. Katie Birnie, PhD RPsych, is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Calgary where she leads Partnering For Pain, a research program striving towards quality equitable pain management for children through partnerships with youth, families, health professionals, policymakers, hospitals, and community organizations. Dr. Birnie is the Associate Scientific Director of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), a national network mobilizing evidence-based solutions for children’s pain through coordination and collaboration. Dr. Birnie has published more than 125 scientific publications, including on acute and chronic pain assessment and management, and health services and systems design. She chaired the working group that developed the world’s first national health standard for Pediatric Pain Management in 2023 in partnership with SKIP and the Health Standards Organization (CAN/HSO 13200:2023). Dr. Birnie is a passionate advocate for integrating patients and families into the heart of health research, healthcare delivery, and health systems design. Her work is a testament to the power of partnership and the importance of patient-oriented research in transforming healthcare.