Jennifer Smitten

Investigator and General Pediatrician, BC Children's Hospital

Academic Affiliations

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Research Theme

Evidence to Innovation

Research Areas

Child Health

Delivery of Health Care

Global Health

Patient Safety

Quality Assurance, Health Care

Social Determinants of Health

Contact

jsmitten@cw.bc.ca

Mailing Address

4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6H 3V4

Overview: I am interested in acute care, quality improvement and incorporating evidence-based medicine into daily best practices. I am also interested in improving access to health care and improving health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized/underserved populations.

Stories See all

Researching mental health and substance use: Q&A with new investigator Dr. Trevor Goodyear

Dr. Trevor Goodyear's interest in working with youth stems from several years as a registered nurse in Ontario and BC, including in child and adolescent mental health at BC Children's Hospital. He joined BCCHR as an investigator in October 2025.

Continue reading Researching mental health and substance use: Q&A with new investigator Dr. Trevor Goodyear

Ensuring research participation is available to all Canadians

Improving language accessibility in clinical research studies helps pave the way for more equitable health outcomes, and makes research more generalizable to the local population.

Continue reading Ensuring research participation is available to all Canadians

The impact of myofascial dysfunction on chronic pain: Q&A with Dr. Gillian Lauder and Nicholas West

During National Pain Awareness Week, we sat down with BCCHR researchers to discuss myofascial dysfunction and pain. Myofascial dysfunction makes it hard for soft tissues to move as they normally would, may lead to chronic pain, and is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Continue reading The impact of myofascial dysfunction on chronic pain: Q&A with Dr. Gillian Lauder and Nicholas West

Congratulations to the 2025 Outstanding Achievement recipients

The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes the remarkable accomplishments of our trainees in research aimed at improving the health and well-being of children and families. Generously funded by the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, this program plays a pivotal role in acknowledging and nurturing excellence within our research community. Each year, awards are given to trainees whose research skills and analytical abilities demonstrate strong potential to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.

Continue reading Congratulations to the 2025 Outstanding Achievement recipients

Study examines how pediatric residents across Canada use interpreters to care for patients

Inclusive care comprises a patient's right to communicate in the language they’re most comfortable with. Aware of its importance, BCCHR has helped lead changes that can improve health equity and ensure high-quality care. In the first of a two-part series, you’ll learn about research that examined how medical interpreter services are accessed and used by residents in pediatric training centres across Canada.

Continue reading Study examines how pediatric residents across Canada use interpreters to care for patients

Donate to Research

We believe there’s nothing we can’t do with your support. It can take years to turn scientific breakthrough into new interventions and treatments. Funding helps speed the pace of change. When given the resources, we can bring transformative therapies – and hope – out of the laboratory and into the clinic to save and improve children’s lives.

Give Now