Lisa D'Alessandro

Lisa D’Alessandro is a Nurse Practitioner in the Chronic Pain Clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), where she provides compassionate, evidence-based care to children and adolescents living with complex and persistent pain. With a solid foundation in pediatric nursing and advanced clinical practice, Lisa is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative care approaches.

She began her nursing career at SickKids in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and went on to complete her Master of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner certification. In addition to her clinical work, Lisa is actively engaged in system-level improvements aimed at enhancing care delivery.

A recognized leader in paediatric pain management, she has led the development of streamlined care pathways to improve access and coordination for children living with chronic pain. Lisa is deeply committed to empowering patients and families, ensuring they are active and informed partners in their care journey.

Education and experience

• 2021–2023: Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner Diploma, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2018–2023: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Chronic Pain Clinic, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2013–2015: Master of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2009–2018: Registered Nurse, Post Anesthetic Care Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2004–2008: Bachelor of Science Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2002–2005: Program Officer, Industry Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2000–2002: Project Leader, Community Futures Development Association of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
• 1999: Bachelor of Arts Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

Achievements

• 2025: Grace Evelyn Simpson Reeves Nursing Excellence Award Nursing Leadership, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
• 2020: Grace Evelyn Simpson Reeves Nursing Excellence Award Nursing Innovation, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
• 2008: Ryerson University Dean's List, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2005: Ryerson Award of Merit, Student Leadership Award, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2004: Director Generals Award, Industry Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2004: Award of Merit, Industry Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2004: People’s Choice Award – Nomination, Industry Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2003: Leadership Through Collaboration, Ontario Federal Council, Toronto, ON, Canada

1. Ruskin D, Tremblay M, Szczech K, Rosenbloom BN, Mesaroli G, Sun N, D'Alessandro LN. Virtual multidisciplinary pain treatment: Experiences and feedback from children with chronic pain and their caregivers. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice an International Journal of Physical Therapy. 2024 Jul;40(7):1501-1521.
2. Ruskin D, Borsatto J, Szczech K, Tremblay M, D'Alessandro LN, Mesaroli G, Sun N, Munns C, Stinson J. "Working Together": Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals in Providing Virtual Care to Youth with Chronic Pain during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023 Mar 8;20(6):4757.
3. D’Alessandro LN, Corrales IL, Klein S, Kondo D, Stinson J. (2022). Using Virtual Reality Distraction During Wound Management: A brief case report in a patient with epidermolysis bullsa. Pediatric Pain Letter, 24(1).
4. Zuercher M, D'Alessandro LN, Brown SC, Lorenzo A, Levin D. Resolution of post-traumatic chronic testicular pain in a pediatric patient after microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord: a case report. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. 2021 Jul 21. English. doi: 10.1007/s12630-021-02072-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34291422.
5. D’Alessandro LN, Brown SC, Campbell F, Ruskin D, Mesaroli, G, Makkar M & Stinson J. (2020) Rapid Mobilization of a Virtual Pediatric Chronic Pain Clinic in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Canadian Journal of Pain, DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2020.1771688