VON showcases innovation in chronic pain care at 2025 NPAO conference
VON nurse practitioners (NPs) Jennifer Burton and Allyson Hallahan are sharing their vision for a client-centred, holistic model of chronic pain management. The pair recently presented at the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO) annual conference, representing VON’s Chronic Pain Management Assessment and Referral Program, which has become a model of innovation in Windsor, Chatham and Sarnia, Ontario.
The theme of the conference, held September 24–26 in Toronto, was “Catapulting NP Systems,” highlighting the essential role NPs play as leaders and innovators in advancing health care. Nurse practitioners from across the province gathered to celebrate their work, share research and engage in meaningful discussions.
The VON team’s poster, “Utilizing a Biopsychosocial Model to Optimize Chronic Pain Management,” showcased how the program has evolved from offering consult recommendations and counseling into a comprehensive, holistic model of care—one that integrates medical expertise with psychosocial and lifestyle supports to better meet the needs of clients.
“We highlighted how our program has evolved over the years to meet the needs of our patients while integrating best practices and emerging evidence in the field of chronic pain,” explained Jennifer, Chronic Pain Program Manager.
The program’s foundation is a biopsychosocial, client-centred approach. Each intake assessment considers medical, psychosocial and lifestyle factors, ensuring care is guided by the client’s full experience. “The intake is designed to highlight the whole biopsychosocial content of a patient’s life, so the patient really guides the care,” Jennifer shared. “The science is critical, but the art of nursing—building trust, using non-judgmental language and creating a plan with the patient—is just as important for healing.”
At the conference, Jennifer and Allyson engaged in meaningful conversations with nurse practitioners across Ontario. Opportunities for partnership, such as integrating chronic pain management within addiction care through webinars, were discussed.
“Some of the most interesting conversations were with nurse practitioners working in substance use disorders,” she said. “They were looking to connect chronic pain care with treatment and how to approach the client in new ways.”
Reflecting on the experience, Jennifer expressed pride in highlighting their work and gratitude for VON’s support in showcasing its impact. “I was really proud to represent VON and to show what we’ve been able to build,” she said. “Our program is innovative, client-centred and evolving—and it’s making a difference in people’s lives.”
As the program continues to grow, Jennifer noted the importance of a rounded evaluation to measure outcomes and guide future planning. With VON’s support, the team is charting a new path in chronic pain care, meeting clients where they are, addressing the whole person and offering practical tools for lasting change.
"I've been with VON for close to 10 years. I was proud to showcase the work I've done as a nurse practitioner, while having that foundational support of an organization where I feel like I've been trusted and supported to evolve and be innovative,” Jennifer shared.
VON’s presence at the NPAO conference reflected not only the innovation of its chronic pain program but also the organization’s commitment to collaboration, knowledge-sharing and advancing client-centred care across the province.
Learn more about VON’s Chronic Pain Program by visiting our website at von.ca/CP-MARP
