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Judith Hunter

Physical therapist, pain researcher and educator Judith Hunter was a key member of the team that developed the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine’s highly regarded graduate certificate in pain management. Alongside other pain-science experts, including Chris Sapanswick, Paul Taenzer and Lori Montgomery, the assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy called upon her deep expertise to design this interprofessional program, which empowers practising clinicians with advanced collaborative care approaches for both acute and chronic pain. Today, as she heads into retirement, the faculty celebrates her contributions. 

Developed between 2007 and 2009, the graduate certificate in pain management was first offered in the spring of 2010 by the faculty’s Continuing Professional Education unit. Since its inception, Hunter has been central to the program’s success, acting as both curriculum director and lead instructor. Overseeing the certificate’s three courses, she ensured an emphasis on the multidimensional nature of pain, bringing in educators and experts from across Canada to foster a comprehensive, biopsychosocial perspective. Health professionals emerge from the program equipped to think critically, collaborate across disciplines and deliver evidence-based pain-management care.  

Through her decades of contributions, Hunter has not only strengthened the academic rigour of pain education, but also elevated its reputation nationally. Thanks to her vision and stewardship, the certificate stands as a leading model in online pain education, shaping the continuing professional development of countless clinicians.

As Hunter moves on to the next phase in her life, adjunct professor Lisa Jasper is honoured to assume the role of curriculum director and lead instructor. Jasper, a physical therapist with clinical, research and educational experience in pain science, has worked alongside Hunter since 2020 and looks forward to building on the strong foundation laid by her predecessor.

We are grateful to Dr. Hunter for her years of dedication and leadership and we wish her well in her retirement!