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Congratulations to the 2022-2023 SAC Scholarship Recipients

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Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is proud to announce the winners of the 2022-2023 SAC Scholarships. A total of $31,750 was awarded to 27 students in speech-language pathology, audiology, and communication health assistants’ programs.

Student winners were selected based on their accomplishments in the areas of academic, community service, and leadership potential.

SAC’s scholarship program is the result of a collaboration between the Elks of Canada, KIDSPEECH, the Beach Family, and donations from our members. The scholarship program is our commitment to helping the next generation of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and communication health assistants as they pursue their education and career.

“Supporting the future of our profession by helping students with their education elevates us all,” says Victoria McLeod, Aud (C), Chair of the Scholarship Committee. “The talent and creativity these students bring to their academic and clinical experience set them apart as true leaders.”

We would like to thank all the scholarship applicants, our donors, the Scholarship Committee, and the educators at the various schools for supporting their students. Congratulations to all the students – we look forward to seeing what you will accomplish next.

Elks and Purple Fund for Children Scholarships

Elks
Gordon Leslie Memorial Scholarship
Olivia Ellard, S-LP, University of British Columbia Quinlyn Johnson, S-LP, University of Alberta Lindsay Kroes, S-LP, McMaster University
Héloïse Lessard-Dostie, AuD, University of Ottawa Julia Montgomery, S-LP, University of British Columbia Olivia Musat, AuD, Dalhousie University
Chris Plimmer, AuD, Western University Isabel Schneider, S-LP, University of Toronto Emma Van Lieshout, AuD, Western University
Mia Vardouniotis, S-LP, University of Toronto
Susan Lane Scholarship
Leen Al-Fayez, S-LP, University of Toronto
Deborah Kully Scholarship
Anusha Khepar, S-LP, University of Alberta

KIDSPEECH Scholarships

KIDSPEECH
Leadership Scholarship Karlee Appel, S-LP, Western University
Doctoral Scholarship Christine Muscat, S-LP, University of Toronto
Travelling Scholarship Hailey Brien, S-LP, Dalhousie University

Beach Family Graduate Scholarships

Lauren Denusik, S-LP, Western University Alyssa DiMarco, S-LP, McMaster University

SAC Scholarships

SAC logo
Isabel Richard Scholarships
Carole Hiew, S-LP, University of Alberta Maissie Hillman, S-LP, University of Alberta Emerald Schreier, S-LP, University of Alberta
SAC Research Scholarships
Matthieu Martin, S-LP, Dalhousie University Simon Pawlowski, AuD, Dalhousie University
SAC Audiology Scholarship
Megan Moore, AuD, Western University
Grace Margaret Harris Scholarship
Kelsi Fry, AuD, Dalhousie University
Communication Health Assistant Student Scholarship
Rebecca De Santo, Georgian College
SAC Student Achievement Awards
Ashley Harvey, Georgian College Chloe Korade, S-LP, University of Alberta
Read the 2022-2023 Scholarship Impact Report

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

 

Resource for Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID) Guidance for Canadian Rehab and Exercise Professionals

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Credit: The Interdisciplinary Long COVID Advisory Panel

The Contributors of the Interdisciplinary Long COVID Advisory Panel have released a resource entitled Rehabilitation for Clients with Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID): Guidance for Canadian Rehabilitation and Exercise Professionals.

The purpose of this living document is to consolidate resources that will serve to inform clinical decision making. Long COVID is an emerging health condition for which evidence is still emerging regarding the safe application of exercise.

This resource is for health care professionals who may have had clients referred to them for rehabilitation or exercise to manage the symptoms of Long COVID.

Access the resource.

If you have questions about this resource or wish to share additional resources with this group that may serve to evolve the document, please contact information@physiotherapy.ca.

 

Lead Change with the UBC Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care

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Credit: University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine

The UBC Faculty of Medicine, in conjunction with Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, has recently launched a new certificate.

This part-time Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care was developed to support working health care professionals for the transformation to patient-centred, team-based care. Navigate the complexities of interprofessional teams, integrate and apply your skills in context, and lead change in your organization.

Apply for the January 2022 cohort.

Call for Volunteers for SAC’s Nominations Committee

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Submit an expression of interest in applying for SAC’s Nominations Committee

SAC is seeking volunteers to join the Nominations Committee. Volunteering on the SAC’s Nominations Committee is a great way to give back to your national professional association by contributing to the succession planning of SAC’s Board of Directors and Standing Committees. As a member of this committee you will actively participate in the process of identifying and recruiting qualified candidates to run for election to the Board as well as to join SAC’s Standing Committees.

The Nominations Committee currently has three vacancies. If you are interested in joining the committee, please fill out the application form and return it to volunteer@sac-oac.ca.

For more information please see the Nominations Committee terms of reference.

 

Watch SAC’s Virtual Recognition Event

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The What:

Each year, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC)’s Award & Recognition Program recognizes members and associates who have made significant contributions to the association, the community, and the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.

This Virtual Recognition Event will honour the recipients of SAC’s 2021-21 Award & Recognition Program, as well as announce an important change to this year’s awards cycle.

Visit our website to view a list of the 2020-21 award recipients.

The Why:

This year in particular, given the limited opportunities to meet in person and the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, SAC has decided to host a Virtual Recognition Event to properly acknowledge our award recipients in a significant way and in the presence of their peers. Everyone at SAC recognizes the immense contribution our members and associates make to their professions and communities, and we want to celebrate this dedication and determination.

Hosting an event of this nature became a priority for SAC, in order to properly recognize the boundless contributions our members and associates have made and continue to make. We wanted to create a celebration dedicated to recognizing our award recipients in a way that they truly deserve.

We will also be announcing an important change that has been made within the 2021-22 Awards & Recognition Program.

The When:

  • Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The How:

SAC’s Virtual Recognition Event has now passed. Watch the video recording below.

 

Make a Nomination for the 2021-22 Awards Cycle

Do you know a colleague, peer, fellow professional or mentor who goes above and beyond for the profession, their communities and/or SAC? Consider nominating them for an award through SAC’s 2021-22 Awards Program!

 

Make a Nomination for SAC’s Awards & Recognition Program

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The professions of speech-language pathology and audiology are constantly growing and advancing, and this couldn’t be done without the tireless work of speech-language pathologists, audiologists and communication health assistants.

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) recognizes the immense contribution our members and associates make to their professions and communities, and we want to celebrate this dedication and determination.

SAC needs your help to recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. Do you know a deserving colleague or fellow professional who goes above and beyond to contribute to their profession?
Nominate them for an SAC award!
The nomination deadline is November 30, 2021.

Apply for SAC’s Scholarship Program

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Opening Doors to Education: SAC Scholarships

Cycle One of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC)’s Scholarship Program is now open!

The SAC Scholarship Program was established to recognize and appreciate the academic excellence of SAC student associates who demonstrate a drive to succeed and contribute to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. The scholarships can help students with their tuition, childcare, food, shelter and/or travel, or in any way that will help offset the financial burden in pursuit of their education.

There are 29 scholarships available for the 2021-2022 academic year, funded by donations from SAC members, partners and generous supporters such as the Elks of Canada, KIDSPEECHTM and the Beach Family Foundation. Each scholarship is unique in its history, purpose and eligibility requirements.

Read more about each scholarship and learn how to apply.

The application deadline is October 30, 2021.

 

So You Want to Learn About Speech-Language Pathology? New Student Resource Guide

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Credit: Evonne Syed & Imad Ali, McMaster University

Two students from McMaster University have developed a student resource guide which serves as an introduction to the profession of speech-language pathology for high school students, youth and all aspiring speech-language pathologists.

Written and designed by Evonne Syed and Imad Ali, in consultation with their professor and SAC member, Dr. Lyn Turkstra, the guide aims to inspire generations of speech-language pathologists to come.

The guide answers questions like:

  • What is a speech-language pathologist?
  • What do they do? Who do they help?
  • How much money can I expect to make?
  • Is this career right for me?
  • … and more!

Access the student resource guide now.

Report on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Communication Accessibility for Adults with Hearing Loss

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Credit: Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

The Survey & The Report

Earlier this year, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA), University of British Columbia (UBC), and Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility worked together to collect information from Canadians who experience hearing loss and deafness about how the pandemic has impacted their daily lives.

They received insights from close to 700 responses who noted the demand for universal captioning, impacts of masks on communication, and the ability to receive accessible information from the government and media outlets on COVID-19.

The results from this report will provide a foundation to better understand the impact the pandemic has had on our communities and to ensure that moving forward, we can address these challenges as we continue to manage COVID-19 throughout the recovery phase and beyond.

Click here to read the full report.

Key Findings in The Report

  • More than 80% of individuals with hearing loss found it difficult to understand others with face masks.
  • 60% of individuals reported that their mental health has been negatively affected as a result of the pandemic.
  • At least one-quarter of individuals with higher severity of hearing loss were unable to obtain hearing health services due to COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Only 16% of respondents reported obtaining hearing or hearing aid services remotely from a specialist such as an audiologist or hearing instrument practitioner.
  • Over 60% of respondents reported difficulty in understanding others who are behind plexiglass barriers.
  • At least 60% of respondents indicated that having captioning available would help improve communication with others in video calls and at virtual events.

The Webinar

In May 2021, the research team hosted a webinar where the principal investigators, Dr. Brenda Poon, Wavefront Centre Senior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at UBC, and Dr. Lorienne Jenstad, Associate Professor at UBC School of Audiology & Speech Sciences, presented the preliminary findings from their work.

Watch the recording of this webinar.

 

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