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Call for Volunteers: 2024 Speech-Language Pathology Conference Working Group

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The primary objective of the 2024 Speech-Language & Audiology Canada Conference Working Group and Sub-Working Groups is to work with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) to develop the education program and all other events and activities associated with the 2024 national speech-language pathology conference.

All members must be SAC members or associates during their term on the Working Group or Sub-Working Groups.

Please note: the working language of this working group is English.

For a full description of the working group’s mandate, please see the terms of reference.

Apply today!

Kathleen Pichora-Fuller elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

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SAC would like to congratulate SAC member M. Kathleen Pichora-Fuller on her election as a fellow for the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In 2021 Kathleen Pichora-Fuller was the recipient of SAC’s Eve Kassirer Award for Lifetime Achievement. She was chosen for this award in recognition to her long history of distinguished and dedicated service to both SAC and the profession of  audiology. Her work has fostered the development and advancement of audiology nationally and internationally. She is also currently the Chair of SAC’s Audiology Services in Long Term Care Working Group.

She is also joined by SAC member Susan Rvachew, who has received national and international recognition for outstanding professional achievements in the field of speech-language pathology practice and research.

Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community. This announcement has important implications for audiology and SAC because it provides an opportunity to lead new initiatives on various policy deliberations concerning hearing in later life, including the national dementia strategy, ageism, new models of inter-professional primary health care delivery, LTC, etc.

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences brings together Canada’s top-ranked health and biomedical scientists and scholars to make a positive impact on the urgent health concerns of Canadians. The fellows have been drawn from all disciplines across our nation’s universities, healthcare and research institutes, evaluate Canada’s most complex health challenges and recommend strategic, actionable solutions.

 

Click here to learn more and see the full list of 2022 fellows.

SAC and Extended HealthCare Professionals Statement for Parliamentarians

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As part of the return to Parliament, SAC alongside our coalition of Extended HealthCare Professionals released the following statement for Parliamentarians :

As Members of Parliament return to Ottawa for the House of Commons fall session, the Extended Healthcare Professionals Coalition (EHPC) looks forward to collaborating with federal leaders and policy makers to address some of the most pressing healthcare issues facing Canadians. 

First and foremost on the agenda: Canada is in the middle of a healthcare human resource crisis. While much attention has been paid to hospital closures and access to primary health care, the issue is much broader and affects all parts of the healthcare delivery system, across the public and private sectors. EHPC members are committed to providing innovative solutions to address longstanding systemic pressures noting that current system challenges extend beyond physicians and nurses.
 
“The EHPC represents over 100,000 of Canada’s regulated healthcare professionals who are grappling with these challenges and have a crucial role to play in terms of identifying and implementing solutions,” said Ondina Love, Chair of the EHPC. The EHPC looks forward to working with key federal decision makers in the coming weeks and months to improve timely access to care and overall system performance for all Canadians.”
The four key recommendations which EHPC will be advancing this Fall are:
 
Address the health human resources crisis by investing in short and long-term retention and recruitment strategies for all healthcare practitioners. This includes expanding the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program, supporting provincial and territorial recruitment strategies, and expanded funding for educational institutions.
 

  • Ensure the long-term resiliency of the healthcare sector by improving the collection of workforce data to identify and understand labour trends and challenges within and across the public and private sectors.
  • Reduce the reliance on in-hospital care by improving access to preventative and early intervention interdisciplinary community-based primary care that includes the services provided by EHPC members such as Audiologists, Chiropractors, Dental Hygienists, Dentists, Denturists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Social Workers.
  • Explore models that require Canadian employers to provide their employees with health and dental benefits to cover their health and wellness needs that are not covered by Canada’s public healthcare system.

 
“We encourage decision makers to broaden their understanding of Canada’s healthcare landscape and bring extended professionals into the conversation”, said Ms Love. “Addressing the many challenges facing healthcare in Canada, including the human resources crisis, will require all hands on deck, and our members offer the expertise and perspective needed to keep Canadians healthy and productive.”

Saskatchewan Advocacy Update August 2022

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SAC Saskatchewan Members, 

We collected and analyzed the results of the survey that was distributed to you earlier this summer. These results were shared with your regional advisory committee to set immediate priorities. We are encouraged and excited to have such accomplished and exciting committee members working on your advocacy needs!

 

The top three advocacy issues by rank were:

  1. Advocate for increased government funding for FTE positions in Speech-language Pathology and Audiology
  2. Recruitment/retention issues
  3. Advocating for expanded coverage/reimbursement from third parties

 

The top three workplace issues by rank were:

  1. Caseload/workload issues (by a wide margin)
  2. Length of waitlists to access services
  3. Lack of insurance coverage for services

 

Actions that would have the most immediate impact by rank were:

  1. Caseload/workload issues (by a wide margin)
  2. Greater recognition by third parties/other professionals/public
  3. Increased renumeration

 

It should be noted that several audiology members highlighted use of the title ”Dr.” for those with earned degrees and direct referral to ENT as priority items.

Our first meeting focused on prioritizing and brainstorming both short- and long-term advocacy goals. To that end, your Advocacy Managers for Saskatchewan have worked on the following this summer:

  • Finalizing our provincial advocacy plan, focusing on key stakeholders and messaging aligning with federal priorities such as Early Learning and Child Care, Long-Term Care, and addressing backlogs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. To that end, we have written to and are beginning to meet with MLA’s and Assistant Deputy Ministers from several Ministries.
  •  Meeting with contacts from the U of S to determine how we can work together to address issues such as professional recognition, continuing education, and recruitment and retention issues.
  • Connecting with CAA to request an update on progress with direct referral to ENT in the province of Saskatchewan. CAA is leading this initiative for Audiology in Canada. Dave Gordey reported initial contacts have been made with key stakeholders within the province and will provide periodic updates on the status of this project.

REMINDER: Serve on SAC’s Speech-Language Pathology Services in Private Practice Working Group or SAC’s Audiologists in Private Practice Working Group

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The primary objective of the Speech-Language Pathology Services in Private Practice Working Group, hereafter referred to as the “Working Group”, is to prepare a report for the Board of Directors about professional resources required by speech-language pathology members working in private practice.

The Working Group will:

  • Review current speech-language pathology services in private practice in each province and territory including a member survey.
  • Identify issues of concern and importance.
  • Develop a report for review and approval by the SAC Board of Directors which includes a recommendation of resources to support SAC members and associates working in private practice.

Working Group Details

  • Name: Speech-Language Pathology Services in Private Practice
    Working Group
  • Purpose: To prepare a report for the Board of Directors about professional resources required by speech-language pathology members working in private practice.
  • Length of Term: Approximately 5 months (beginning in June 2022)
  • Working Language: English
  • Deadline to Apply: July 14, 2022

For a full description of the working group’s mandate, please see the terms of reference.

 

Eligibility and How to Apply

If you would like to apply to serve on SAC’s Speech-Language Pathology Services in Private Practice Working Group, please ensure you meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be an SAC speech-language pathology member or communication health assistant associate.
  • Be available for the duration of the project.
  • Maintain your SAC membership throughout your term.

For more information about the requirements, please see the working group terms of reference.

Interested candidates should complete a Volunteer Expression of Interest Form (Word | PDF) and submit it to volunteer@sac-oac.ca by July 14, 2022.

 

The primary objective of the Audiologists in Private Practice Working Group, hereafter referred to as the “Working Group”, is to further investigate the most significant needs and current issues facing audiologists who are working in private practice. This research will be used to prepare the Working Group’s report for the Board of Directors about professional resources required by audiology members working in private practice.

The Working Group will:

  • Develop an environmental scan of private practice Audiology Service in each province and territory including a member survey.
  • Identify significant areas of concern and importance to private practice Audiologists.
  • Develop SAC’s plans to support members and associates where private practice is concerned based on the findings of the group.
  • Develop a report for both review and approval by the SAC Board of Directors.

Working Group Details

  • Name: Audiologists in Private Practice Working Group
  • Purpose: To prepare a report for the Board of Directors about professional resources required by audiology members working in private practice.
  • Length of Term: Approximately 5 months (beginning in June 2022)
  • Working Language: English
  • Deadline to Apply: July 14, 2022

For a full description of the working group’s mandate, please see the terms of reference.

 

Eligibility and How to Apply

If you would like to apply to serve on SAC’s Audiologists in Private Practice Working Group, please ensure you meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be an SAC audiology member.
  • Be available for the duration of the project.
  • Maintain your SAC membership throughout your term.

For more information about the requirements, please see the working group terms of reference.

Interested candidates should complete a Volunteer Expression of Interest Form (Word | PDF) and submit it to volunteer@sac-oac.ca by July 14, 2022.

 

 

 

2021-2022 SAC Scholarship Recipients

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SAC is proud to award 28 scholarships to the following student associates as part of the 2021-2022 SAC Scholarship Program:

Read the SAC Scholarship Program 2021-2022 Impact Report

 

Elks & Royal Purple Fund for Children Deborah Kully Scholarship

Maya Aharon is currently completing her final year of the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Toronto. Maya is interested in working with individuals with neurogenic disorders, such as aphasia, and supporting the use of augmentative and alternative modes of communication. In addition to her studies, Maya is a research volunteer in the Bilingual and Multilingual Development Lab at the University of Toronto and serves as co-president of her class.

Meghan is a second year speech-language pathology student at the University of Alberta. She hopes to pursue a career in dysphagia management in an acute care setting. She previously served as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee for the Organization of Alberta Students in Speech (OASIS) at U of A and is a member of the Education Committee for Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.

Brianna is completing her second year as a MHSc. Speech-Language Pathology candidate studying at the University of Toronto. After finishing the program, she hopes to work in the rehabilitation setting with a particular interest in brain injury. With gratitude, she looks forward to using her scholarship to help fund educational opportunities that will support her future clinical career.

Lauren is a second-year audiology student at the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. She has volunteered with Alberta Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House of Southern Alberta, and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Upon completion of her Master of Science degree in Spring 2022, she hopes to start working with children and families as a pediatric audiologist.  
Jaime’s passion lies in helping children gain confidence as they learn and grow, something she emphasizes as a tutor. She is excited to begin working as an S-LP, focusing on children and adult dysphagia patients. 

Quince Scholberg is a second-year speech-language pathology student at the University of British Columbia. After graduation, she intends to work with school-aged children who have developmental differences. Quince’s long-term goal is to help foster inclusion while working as a school-based S-LP in British Columbia. 

Sophia is from Montreal, Quebec, and she is currently completing her Masters of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP) at the University of Toronto. She is currently finishing her second placement at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute with Acquired Brain Injury patients. After graduation, Sophia intends to return to Montreal and begin her practice as an SLP.

Nick Grundmann is a second-year audiology student at the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. After graduation in 2022, he is hoping to work with adults in a diagnostic and dispensing clinic. He also wishes to expand his clinical knowledge into vestibular evaluations and CAPD assessments.  

Alia is a second-year graduate student at the University of Toronto. Following her graduation, she intends to practice in pediatric fluency disorders. She is motivated by her experience at her first clinical internship through the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research, which is an Elks of Canada funded facility. 
Laura Tulk is a second-year Speech-Language Pathology graduate student at the University of Toronto. Laura’s goal is to work with adult and geriatric populations in acute care. She also has an interest in fluency disorders and is involved with a stuttering research group: The NL Stuttering Association Collaborative. Laura hopes to practice in her home province of Newfoundland and Labrador after graduation. 
Brooke Harris is an Audiology student in her second year of studies at Western University. Upon completion of her degree this summer, she is looking forward to pursuing a career as an audiologist. She is very excited about the prospect of supporting individuals with hearing and communication challenges throughout her future career.

Caroline Whiting is a second-year student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at McMaster University. She has a particular interest in working with individuals with acquired brain injuries to help them achieve their communication goals. Caroline hopes to combine her clinical work with involvement in research in the future.

 

KIDSPEECH™ Leadership Scholarship

Ala is completing her second-year at the University of Toronto. She is the recipient of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship and received the University of Toronto’s Margaret Stoicheff Spirit Award. Ala has a passion for fostering a safe and inclusive environment for people of colour and bilingual clients/family members in the rehabilitation field. This inspired her to create an account that translates S-LP related information in different languages with a group of incredible volunteers (instagram: @SLPPOC).

Courtnee Adacsi is an interactive speech-language pathologist and lifelong learner who is on an educational leave to obtain her Master of Arts in Early Intervention in Deaf Education degree from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. 
Angela is a PhD student at the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University. she began her professional career working with Autistic preschoolers in the Nova Scotia Early Intensive Behavioural Program. Since then, she has occupied several positions in both the public and private sector working with people on the Autism Spectrum and individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

Beach Family Placement Support Scholarship

Larissa is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of British Columbia. She graduated from Simon Fraser University first class with distinction with a BA in Cognitive Science and Linguistics. She is writing a thesis concerning statistical learning in speech perception, alongside completing her courses and clinical requirements to earn her degree. Afterwards, she intends to work with individuals with aphasia in a rehab or community care setting.

Matt is a second year graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology at McGill University. His love for music and reading sparked his interest in S-LP and he hopes to practice in paediatric literacy as well voice therapy upon graduation. Matthew will start a 3-month acute care placement at St.Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg this summer.

Megan Van Gorp is graduating Audiology in the M.Cl.Sc. program at Western University’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She believes that equal access to audiological services, regardless of geography, ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status are imperative in optimizing communicative health outcomes across Canada. Her lived experiences with rural-induced inaccessibility to healthcare services have inspired her to launch her career providing care to underserviced children and youth in rural Southwestern Ontario.

 

SAC Scholarships

Michelle Jones is in her final year of the Speech-Language Pathology master’s program at UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. After graduation, she plans to work in a paediatric setting on Vancouver Island alongside other clinicians to improve the lives of those in the community.
Melissa is completing her PhD at the University of Toronto, while also working as a pediatric audiologist at SickKids. After she completes her doctoral degree, she hopes to return to education as a professor, and to the clinical setting as a clinician-scientist, to expand the education and research in the field of pediatric vestibular audiology.

Alison Quiring is in her 2nd and final year at the University of British Columbia’s School of Audiology and Speech Sciences studying Speech-Language Pathology. Prior to attending UBC, Alison was volunteering as a teacher at a children’s home in Zimbabwe, Africa. She hopes to, one day, take her passion for travel and intercultural work and develop basic training programs about communication strategies that can be used in settings where there is limited or no access to S-LP services.

Gavina is currently in her second year in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. Upon graduation, she hopes to work with paediatric population.

Talia is in her second and final year of the MSc Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Alberta. After graduation, Talia would love to work with the pediatric population, particularly with preschool-aged children. She is currently part of the RMSA and help other rehabilitation medicine students at the university plan and promote events and help foster interdisciplinary opportunities amongst students. 

Claire (Lei) Wu is a Master of Clinical Science (MClSc) candidate in Audiology at Western University. She grew up in Langley, British Columbia and volunteers with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association  (CHHA-BC) and Self-Management BC. This year, Claire serves as one of the three co-chairs who are responsible for organizing the annual Theory-to-Therapy Graduate Student Conference for 2022. As she graduates this summer, she hopes to pursue diagnostic and rehabilitation-based clinical practice in British Columbia while specializing in vestibular audiology.
Megan Van Gorp is graduating Audiology in the M.Cl.Sc. program at Western University’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She believes that equal access to audiological services, regardless of geography, ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status are imperative in optimizing communicative health outcomes across Canada. Her lived experiences with rural-induced inaccessibility to healthcare services have inspired her to launch her career providing care to underserviced children and youth in rural Southwestern Ontario.

Ninell Sygal is a MHSc candidate currently completing her studies in the program of speech-language pathology at the University of Ottawa. She strongly believes that the best clinicians are those who have a research background, as this will allow them one day to integrate the latest advances into their clinical practice. She is currently working on several projects exploring different topics in the field of speech-language pathology and its relation to the field of audiology.

Julie Kathleen was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2020, she moved to Limerick, Ireland to start a two-year Masters of Science in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Limerick. Throughout this degree, she has been actively involved in class activities and has been the Class Representative for two years. She is currently completing a research project which is investigating what is known about parent experience of parent-mediated interventions for children with developmental disabilities delivered via telehealth.

Communication Health Assistant Scholarship

 

Sankavi’s interest in the field of communication disorders was ignited in high school when she started working as a special need’s educational assistant with the Toronto District School Board.  In 2019, she started volunteering at the Aphasia Institute where she had the opportunity the facilitate group conversations with individuals who were diagnosed with aphasia.  Her experience has made her a strong advocate for patient needs, and she looks forward to working directly with patients and aiding in their recovery. 

To learn more about the 2021-2022 recipients, read the SAC Scholarship Program 2021-2022 Impact Report

 

Call for Members: SAC Regional Advisory Committee – Alberta & Saskatchewan

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Join SAC’s Regional Advisory Committee!

SAC is calling for volunteers for an Alberta and Saskatchewan regional advisory group. As part of supporting and informing the work of the Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial advocacy managers, SAC is calling for volunteers for an Alberta and Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Committee.  Members who sit on each respective group will have the opportunity to advise the provincial advocacy managers on their priorities and messaging. These regional advisory groups are vital to ensuring that the advocacy work of each province is guided by the input and needs of our members.

SAC encourages applications from members who identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as gender diverse. Members with experience working with marginalized populations and knowledge of cultural safety and humility are also helpful to support the Board.  SAC is committed to achieving a diverse directorship representative of the public it serves and being inclusive towards all.
 

APPLY NOW

Terms of Reference – Alberta

Terms of Reference – Saskatchewan

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS May 18, 2022

If you have questions regarding the application process please contact us by email, at volunteer@sac-oac.ca.

 

SAC’s 2022-2023 Director-Student Board Nomination

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Join the SAC Board of Directors as this year’s Director-Student, the 2022-2023 nomination application is now open!

Our student associates represent the future of our member professions and the association; so, we really care what you think. We stay plugged in to what you need through our Director-Student. The Director-Student is an SAC student associate who has been elected to represent student associates on the SAC Board of Directors.

 

What is the role of the Director? The Director is a liaison between the universities’ student associates and the Board of Directors. The primary function of the Director is to:

  1. Support and help influence the future growth and well-being of the association and its members and associates.
  2. Act and make decisions based on the best interests of the association and its members and associates nationally.
  3. Commit the time and energy required to fulfill duties and responsibilities to the best of her/his ability.
  4. Contribute to the skills-based Board.
  5. Foster a constructive working environment through a supportive and positive attitude.
  6. Support efficiency and effectiveness by nurturing an environment that focuses on outcomes and results, not activities

 

If you would like more information about taking on this leadership role and becoming Director-Student please contact our current Director, Lisa Nguyen at, director-student@sac-oac.ca.

If you have questions regarding the application process please contact us by email at volunteer@sac-oac.ca.

 

SAC’s 2022-2023 Board of Directors Nomination Cycle

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Join the SAC Board of Directors, the 2022-2023 application process is now open!

Applying to be on SAC’s Board of Directors provides you an opportunity to play a key role in helping SAC achieve its strategic goals and objectives, have the voice of your profession heard, learn new skills and competencies and expand your network. 
 

In 2022, there will be three (3) Director vacancies on the Board, one Director-Member (Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology), One Director-Communication Health Assistant and one Director-Student. Please note: The current Director-Communication Health Assistant (Gillian Purdy) will be standing for re-election.
 

Board terms are for a period of three years (2022-2025). SAC follows a competency-based model for our Board. While we encourage all interested members to apply, we are particularly seeking individuals with knowledge, experience, skills and attributes in the following areas.
 

  • Governance, Financial Management, Human Resources, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
     

Only two Directors may serve on the Board from each province or territory. In 2022 SAC will not be accepting any applications from British Columbia. 
 

The Nominations Committee encourages applications from members who identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as gender diverse. Members with experience working with marginalized populations and knowledge of cultural safety and humility are also helpful to support the Board.  SAC is committed to achieving a diverse directorship representative of the public it serves and being inclusive towards all.
 

Please watch this video from one of our current Board Directors regarding their experience! 
 

If you would like more information about being a Director-Member please contact our current Chair, Shari Linde at, chair@sac-oac.ca.
 

If you would like more information about being a Director-Communication Health Assistant please contact our current Director, Gillian Purdy at volunteer@sac-oac.ca. 
 

If you would like more information about being a Director-Student please contact our current Director, Lisa Nguyen at, director-student@sac-oac.ca.
 

If you have questions regarding the application process please contact us by email, at volunteer@sac-oac.ca.
 

 

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