Congratulations to Dr. Ruth Grunau, who was recently appointed to the Order of British Columbia. Dr. Grunau is a Professor Emeritus in the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, a member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) and an investigator at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
Dr. Grunau has transformed neonatal care through her groundbreaking research on infant pain. She developed the Neonatal Facial Coding System, the first validated tool to assess infant pain, adapted worldwide.
At BC Children’s Hospital, she was a foundational member of BC’s first Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic. Dr. Grunau discovered that repeated NICU pain and stress can significantly impact brain development, stress regulation and behaviour into adolescence. Her research identified genetic, hormonal and sex-specific factors in pain vulnerability and revealed that common treatments like morphine and sucrose may have unintended neurodevelopmental effects.
A leader in the Family Integrated Care trial, she showed that involving parents in NICU care improves outcomes. Dr. Grunau has more than 240 refereed journal publications, 35 book chapters, $88 million in research funding and global recognition with international awards. She ranks among the top 1.5 percent of cited researchers.
A dedicated mentor and advocate, her work has shaped clinical practices, public policy and improved outcomes for vulnerable infants and families worldwide.
The Order of British Columbia recognizes outstanding achievement and lasting contributions that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of British Columbians and it represents the highest form of recognition the province can bestow on an individual. The latest appointees were announced on August 4 and will be invested at a ceremony at Government House in Victoria on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
“As Chancellor of the Order of British Columbia, and in my role as the Crown’s representative, it is a profound privilege to recognize 15 outstanding individuals being welcomed into the order,” said the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, BC’s Lieutenant Governor and Chancellor of the Order of British Columbia. “Their dedication, compassion and vision have left a lasting mark on communities across our province. By lifting others and leading with purpose, they are helping to shape a stronger, more inclusive British Columbia for generations to come.”
