The 2010 CASLPA awards go to.....
Click
on links below for bios and photos
Eve
Kassirer Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement
- Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird
Isabel
Richard Student Paper Award
- Aliza Kassam, Dalhousie University, S-LP
Mentorship
Award -
Crystal Klassen
Supportive
Personnel Award of Excellence - Pamela Coulter
Editor's
Award - Mary Beth Jennings
Consumer
Advocacy Award - VOICE for Hearing Impaired
Children
Award
of Excellence for Interprofessional Collaboration -
Alberta Children's Hospital - Augmentative Communication and
Educational Technology Service (ACETS) - Calgary, Alberta
Certification
Exam Award - Anika Cai (Audiology) &
Alexandra Dusatko (Speech-Language Pathology)
Student
Excellence Awards - Dalhousie University:
Meghan Saunders (S-LP), Dalhousie University: Andrea Sammon
(Aud), McGill University: Daniel Dickson (S-LP), University
of British Columbia: Katie de Champlain (Aud), University of
British Columbia: Fiona MacIntosh (S-LP), University of Western
Ontario: Samidha Joglekar (Aud), University of Western Ontario:
Lyndsay Martin (S-LP), Université de Montréal:
Marie-Pier Gingras (S-LP), Université de Montréal:
Mélanie Gagnon (Aud), University of Alberta: Sara Knox
(S-LP), University of Toronto: Emily Barrett (S-LP), Université
d'Ottawa: Maxime Maheu (Aud), Université d'Ottawa: Justine
Bruneau (S-LP), Université Laval: Danièle Robichaud
(S-LP)
Check out
previous Award Winners and Acceptance Speeches
Eve
Kassirer Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement
Awarded to a CASLPA member who has made a significant contribution
in the areas of education, clinical services, administration,
or public awareness and has fostered the development and advancement
of the professions of speech-language pathology or audiology
nationally or internationally.
Elizabeth Kay-Raining
Bird
Dr.
Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird (Ph.D. Madison, Wisconsin) is a professor
in the School of Human Communication Disorders at Dalhousie
University. Her research and teaching is in the area of child
language development and disorders, with a particular focus
on children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Her publications
and presentations have focused on a variety of topics including
cultural and linguistic diversity, language and literacy development,
sign language use, the effectiveness of speech, language and
reading interventions, and bilingualism. Elizabeth is a speech-language
pathologist, certified with both CASLPA and ASHA. She served
as the editor of JSLPA from 1996 to 1999 and was the first university
representative of CASLPA's board. She is currently the president
of the Speech and Hearing Association of Nova Scotia (SHANS).
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Isabel
Richard Student Paper Award
Awarded to one CASLPA student member for the best paper written
on a specific topic related to the professions. Papers are judged
on both style and content.
Aliza Kassam, Dalhousie
University, S-LP - Topic - Interprofessional collaboration -
meeting the challenge
Aliza
Kassam is currently completing her M.Sc. in speech-language
pathology with a minor in audiology. She graduated from the
University of Waterloo in 2007 with an Honours degree in environmental
studies and business. Aliza's upbringing instilled in her the
importance of voluntary service and a passion for social and
developmental issues. This motivated her to accept a volunteer
position as an English curriculum advisor at the Aga Khan School
in Khorog, Tajikistan. Through this position she learned how
effective communication can be in terms of impacting quality
of life, fostering dignity, promoting self respect, and helping
an individual to better shape their future. Aliza was so inspired
by her experience that she decided to pursue an S-LP degree
at Dalhousie University. While attending Dalhousie, Aliza was
elected National Student Advisor for CASLPA from 2008 to 2009.
She then joined the Canadian Interprofessional Student Network
and developed an interest in interprofessional issues. She hopes
to work with an interprofessional team at some point in her
career. Aliza's long-term goal is to one day return to a developing
country where she can use her skills as an S-LP.
Read
her essay
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Mentorship
Award
Awarded to a CASLPA member who has significantly influenced or
contributed to the clinical training and/or professional development
of a student(s) or colleague(s) in the field of speech-language
pathology or audiology, either as a clinical supervisor or a mentor.
Crystal Klassen
Crystal
Klassen has been an S-LP for more than 15 years. She has worked
in a variety of different settings including acute care, long-term
care and pediatrics. In addition to working in Texas, she also
had opportunities to work in a number of provinces including
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Crystal enjoys mentoring
staff and students. Her mentoring includes time and caseload
management skills, family counseling and helping families locate
community supports. Crystal stresses that test results do not
show the entire child. She believes in the importance of collecting
information from family, community supports, such as schools
and daycares, and whenever possible, observing children in an
environment outside of the clinical setting. She says "in
order for S-LP services to be effective, they need to be family-centred
and functional to the client's real world." In 2009, Crystal
received the Alberta Rehabilitation Coordinating Council's (ARCC)
Rehabilitation Student Supervisor Award - Rural. Crystal earned
her Master's degree from Southwest Missouri State University
and currently works in pediatrics.
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Supportive
Personnel Award of Excellence
Awarded to a CASLPA supportive personnel member who has demonstrated
excellence in their field. Considerations include distinction
in assisting speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists
with implementation of treatment plans, materials etc., demonstration
of outstanding team participation and excellence in the provision
of patient/client care.
Pamela Coulter
Pamela
Coulter graduated from Trent University in 2005 with an Honours
Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She pursued training
as a communicative disorders assistant at Georgian College,
completing her certificate in 2007 and earning the Bernafon
Canada Award. She has continued with Georgian College as a Practicum
Monitor for CDA students, and has worked as an instructor. In
November 2007, Pamela joined the speech-language pathology and
audiology services at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in the
Veterans Centre in Toronto. As part of the team at Sunnybrook,
in addition to clinical work, she is involved in student training,
staff education, and research. In 2008, she was invited to present
at the Communicative Disorders Assistants Association of Canada
conference, speaking on working with people with dementia and
Parkinson's disease. Pamela has pursued continuing education
opportunities since graduation, including participation in Ryerson
University's post-baccalaureate program in interprofessional
stroke care.
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The
Editor's Award
Recognizes the best paper published in the Canadian Journal
of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology within the calendar
year (Jan 1. - Dec 31, 2009).
Clinical Report: Evaluating
the Efficacy of a Group Audiologic Rehabilitation Program for
Adults with Hearing Loss Using a Goal Attainment Scaling Approach
- Published CJSLPA/RCOA, Volume 33, No. 3, 146-155
Mary Beth Jennings
Mary
Beth Jennings received her BA in psychology from Laurentian
University. She received her Master of clinical science degree
in audiology and her Ph.D. in rehabilitation sciences from the
University of Western Ontario. Mary Beth is an associate professor
at the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and is
a principle investigator within the National Centre for Audiology,
Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario.
She worked clinically at the Canadian Hearing Society in Toronto
for 12 years prior to beginning her academic career. Dr. Jennings
has been a certified member of CASLPA for 23 years. Her research
is supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario
Research Fund, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Hear-the-World
Foundation and the Masonic Foundation of Ontario. Her areas
of research include the assessment of adult group aural rehabilitation
(AR) outcomes, the use of goal attainment scaling, the impact
of self-efficacy on AR outcomes, as well as barriers and facilitators
to the use of hearing assistive technologies for older adults,
stigma and disclosure of hearing loss, assessing workplace accessibility
for older workers with hearing loss, and the application of
universal design principles to hearing.
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Consumer
Advocacy Award
Awarded to an individual (or group) that is not a speech-language
pathologist or audiologist, but has made an outstanding impact
on the profession(s) by actively and significantly advocating
on behalf of individuals with communication disorders.
VOICE
for Hearing Impaired Children
Founded
in the 1960s, VOICE is the only organization in North America
that exclusively provides services for deaf and hard of hearing
children as well as providing support for children learning
spoken language. VOICE is recognized as the largest parent-support
organization for families with children with hearing loss in
Canada. VOICE strives to ensure all hearing impaired children
have the right to develop their ability to listen and speak
and have access to services enabling them to learn these critical
life-skills. VOICE has directly impacted policies developed
for early identification programs and early intervention supports.
Through regular government contact and participation on advisory
committees and government consultations, VOICE continues to
provide current information to policy makers on the changing
needs of children and youth with hearing loss.
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Certification
Exam Award
Awarded to the CASLPA member in each profession who attains
the highest score on the certification exam during the 2007
year.
Alexandra Dusatko, Speech-Language
Pathology
Alexandra
Dusatko graduated with a specialist degree in exceptionalities
in human learning from the University of Toronto's psychology
department in 2007. Her interests in learning exceptionalities
and communication disorders led her to seek volunteer opportunities
in which she could assist children with language and learning
difficulties. These experiences were instrumental in her decision
to pursue speech-language pathology as a career. In 2009 she
earned her M.H.Sc in speech-language pathology from the University
of Toronto. Alexandra is proud to be the second generation of
speech-language pathologists in her family. Currently, Alexandra
is enjoying her new and rewarding career as a speech- language
pathologist and is working for the Peel District School Board
in Ontario.
Anika Cai, Audiology
Anika
Cai was born in China, spent her childhood in Germany and moved
to Canada in 1990. Her multicultural and multi-lingual experiences
sparked a natural interest in human communication. In 2007,
Anika volunteering as part of St. Paul's Hospital adult cochlear
implant team, Anika discovered that committed audiologists along
with modern technology can connect a person back to their friends,
families and the world. Anika continued on to complete her M.Sc.
in audiology in 2010 at the University of British Columbia.
During her studies, she completed a thesis investigating tympanometric
changes in early infancy to support the importance of early
hearing health. Currently employed as a training audiologist
for Starkey, Anika proudly supports audiologists all over Canada
to provide the best communicative solutions possible through
progressive, research driven technology.
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Award
of Excellence for Interprofessional Collaboration
To recognize interprofessional collaboration
and acknowledge the role that speech-language pathologists and
audiologists play on interprofessional teams. The award is presented
to an interprofessional team that has contributed/impacted/strengthened
patient/client outcomes and/or the fields of speech-language
pathology or audiology through their collaboration and teamwork.
Teams must consist of at least one CASLPA member speech-language
pathologist or audiologist and at least two other health, education
or other appropriate professionals.
Alberta Children's Hospital -
Augmentative Communication and Educational Technology Service
(ACETS)
Based
in Calgary at the Alberta Children's Hospital, and serving communities
across southern Alberta, the Augmentative Communication and
Educational Technology Service (ACETS) team is comprised of
four speech-language pathologists, four occupational therapists,
a speech-language pathology assistant, an assistive technology
assistant,and a technician. The ACETS team partners and collaborates
with children and adults with severe speech impairments in conjunction
with their family members and additional team members to address
needs for face-to-face, written or telecommunications interactions.
ACETS was established as a pediatric service in 2000, and began
serving adult clients in 2006 with the advent of the Alberta
Aids to Daily Living (AADL) and the Speech Generating Communication
Devices (SGCDs) Pilot Project.
ACETS provides patient-focused information, education, and
support. A service driver for the team is championing capacity
building in the community for clients to receive the right service,
in the right place, and at the right time to achieve their maximum
potential.
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Student
Excellence Awards
Awarded to a CASLPA student member in their graduating
year of study, in each of the speech-language pathology and
audiology training programs in Canada. Nominees are judged to
be the best all-round future professional, shall have shown
significant enthusiasm for their profession and have instilled
in others a desire to contribute to the development and growth
of speech-language pathology or audiology.
Meghan Saunders, Dalhousie
University, S-LP
In
2005, Meghan Saunders graduated with Great Distinction from
the University of Regina with a BA in English and sociology.
Under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird and
Dr. Jean Hughes, she completed a graduate research project entitled
"The Relationship Between the Literacy Experiences of Mothers
and Children," which was presented at the 2009 annual American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention in New Orleans.
In the summer of 2008, under a grant from the Canadian Language
and Literacy Research Network, Meghan worked as a research assistant
on a systematic review of the language and literacy outcomes
of special needs children in inclusive education settings. Meghan
gained experience through a variety of caseloads during her
clinical placements. These include the School of Human Communications
Disorders in Nova Scotia, the IWK Children's Hospital, the QEII
Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre, and a placement at the Cypress
Health Region in Saskatchewan. Before entering Dalhousie's S-LP
program, Meghan worked as a research analyst intern for the
Saskatchewan Crown Investments Corporation. She now works as
a speech-language pathologist for the Cypress Health Region
in Saskatchewan. And will receive her Masters of Science in
Human Communication Disorders from Dalhousie University in May
2010.
Andrea Sammon,
Dalhousie University, Aud.
Daniel Dickson,
McGill University, S-LP
Daniel
is currently completing his final year of studies in the MSc(A)
speech-language pathology program at McGill University's School
of Communication Sciences and Disorders. After graduating with
a BA in English and linguistics from Simon Fraser University
in 2002, Daniel spent several years working as a teacher and
travelling in Europe, South America and Asia. Personal highlights
included studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and volunteering
with disadvantaged children at a surf school in Peru. In the
summer of 2009, Daniel received a McGill Summer Research Bursary
to conduct an independent study. He investigated methods of
identifying the children with speech sound disorders who would
benefit most from therapy, targeting both speech perception
and production. Even during his extensive time abroad, Daniel
has always looked forward to returning to Canada to study speech-language
pathology, which has allowed him to combine his life-long fascination
with language and his love for working with children. Daniel
is excited about returning home to Manitoba this summer to complete
his final clinical internship at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital.
Katie de
Champlain, University of British Columbia, Aud.
Katie
de Champlain is currently completing a M.Sc. in audiology at
the University of British Columbia. Katie is currently involved
in a research project assessing techniques to better identify
middle ear pathology. Katie was inspired to study in the field
of audiology after recognizing the resiliency, adaptation and
strength required by a close friend who has had a severe hearing
loss since birth. She is interested in pursuing work in a diagnostic
setting with a focus on cochlear implants or vestibular testing
and also has shown interest in working with the paediatric population.
Katie's interest in global health and social justice are reflected
in the diverse volunteer work she has been involved in, including
developing curriculum and teaching HIV/AIDS awareness in Kenya,
fundraising activities to support work in developing countries,
counselling at a local birth control clinic, curriculum development
for aboriginal communities and serving as class representative.
She is currently preparing to accompany a medical team to Uganda
where she will provide audiology services to the community.
Fiona MacIntosh,
University of British Columbia, S-LP
Fiona
MacIntosh is interested in many aspects of speech and language.
She is especially passionate about supporting the communication
skills of people with developmental disabilities. She is currently
completing her MSc in speech-language pathology at the University
of British Columbia. Under the supervision of Dr. Paola Colozzo,
Fiona is investigating how children acquire verbs. Over the
years she has taken a keen interest in language and other cultures.
In 2005 she studied at the University of Ioannina in Greece.
Her clinical experience includes practicums at the Victoria
and Saanich Health Units, GF Strong Rehab Centre, the Northern
Interior Health Unit in Prince George, as well as the Victoria
School District. She has a colourful work and volunteer history
which includes teaching English as a second language and leading
fruit-picking teams. She has also supported children and adults
with disabilities while working as a volunteer for Operation
Trackshoes, a province-wide sports event. Fiona will complete
her degree in the of summer 2010, and looks forward to practicing
as a speech-language pathologist in the near future.
Samidha
Joglekar, University of Western Ontario, Aud.
Samidha
was first introduced to audiology while living in Mumbai, India,
where she studied Indian classical vocal music on a scholarship
from the Ontario Arts Council. While in India, she volunteered
for a non-profit organization called AURED for underprivileged
children with hearing impairment. She was inspired by the life
altering work she witnessed being carried out by audiologists,
physicians and other health care professionals. During her time
in the M.Cl.Sc in audiology program at the University of Western
Ontario, Samidha has excelled academically while being highly
involved in extra-curricular activities. She has worked as a
research assistant at the National Centre for Audiology and
has assisted with projects on auditory feedback and speech perception,
genetic testing for hearing impairment, and Auditory Neuropathy
Dys-Synchrony Spectrum Disorder (ANSD). In the summer of 2009,
she traveled to Lima, Peru where she worked with a team of western
students and faculty to provide audiological support for several
Peruvian children with hearing impairment.
Lyndsay
Martin, University of Western Ontario, S-LP
Lyndsay
is currently completing her M.Cl.Sc. in speech-language pathology
at the University of Western Ontario (UWO). Lyndsay has pursued
clinical experiences all over Canada, including time with the
Institute for Stuttering Research and Treatment in Alberta,
and an upcoming trip to northern Ontario to provide speech,
language and swallowing services to a remote aboriginal community.
Lyndsay is strongly involved with academic affairs at UWO, serving
as an executive member of student council, working as a teaching
assistant, and volunteering as a CASLPA student representative.
Lyndsay's research involvement includes work on adult dysphagia,
an inter-disciplinary project on quality of life in residents
in long-term care, and the feasibility of telehealth delivery
of stuttering intervention. Lyndsay has a strong interest in
preschool and school-age communication, and hopes to return
home to Vancouver to practice in the near future.
Marie-Pier Gingras, Université
de Montréal, S-LP
Marie-Pier
Gingras is finishing her Master's degree in speech-language
pathology this year at the Université de Montréal.
For the past three summers, she worked in a social paediatric
centre in an underprivileged area to help children with their
development. She has also worked with daycare educators to support
development of their stimulation skills and particularly enjoys
group intervention with aphasic people. Her interest in what
is taught to speech-language pathology students has led Marie-Pier
to be involved in her school at many levels: student association
vice-president, departmental assembly representative, and group
coordinator for students undertaking directed research study.
Director of a youth choir and host of a fundraising telethon
in her municipality, Marie-Pier wishes to support her community
through both her professional work and social involvement. She
also wishes to contribute to outreach for speech-language pathology
and continue to ask questions to pursue her learning and enhance
her intervention philosophy.
Mélanie Gagnon,
Université de Montréal, Aud.
Mélanie
Gagnon is finishing her Master's of audiology at the Université
de Montréal. During her studies, she accumulated much
professional experience in the field of audiology, especially
with children. She first got involved in research with clients
of special interest to her: children with an auditory processing
disorder (APD). Mélanie acquired clinical experience
by collaborating in the assessment of young children at private
clinic AudioConseil, and by participating in the activities
of hearing-impaired teenagers at Le Parcours PRC in the Saguenay.
During her studies, she was the student representative on the
departmental council of the École d'orthophonie et d'audiologie
of the Université de Montréal, and was named CASLPA
student representative. After graduation, Mélanie would
really love to work in paediatric rehabilitation. Being the
dedicated student she has been, there is no doubt she will become
a passionate clinician who will be involved in many projects!
Sara Knox, University
of Alberta, S-LP
A
native of High River, Alberta, Sara completed her BSc in psychology
at the University of Alberta in 2007. She went on to complete
her MSc in speech-language pathology at the University of Alberta
in 2009. While at the University of Alberta, she conducted a
joint research project on the language acquisition of children
adopted from Ethiopia. During her studies, Sara was involved
in a wide number of activities including class representative
for the rehabilitation medical students association. She was
awarded the Susan Lane Scholarship in 2008 for her involvement
with ISTAR (Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research).
Sara holds a position at Scott Robertson School in Edmonton,
where she works in a preschool classroom with children facing
moderate to severe communication disorders. She finds her job
as a speech-language pathologist very rewarding and enjoys working
in an early intervention setting with a diverse caseload.
Emily Barrett, University
of Toronto, S-LP
Emily
Barrett completed her Hon. B.H.Sc. in health sciences and linguistics
at the University of Western Ontario, where she received the
Gold Medal award for the highest average in her specialization.
During her time at Western, Emily was involved in research on
the role of auditory feedback in speech production with the
National Centre for Audiology. Emily is currently completing
her Master's in speech-language pathology at the University
of Toronto and is very involved with her class, acting as the
communications officer, organizing lunch and learns on clinical
experiences and assisting with the career fair and orientation
week. Her previous clinical placements include the Ottawa Catholic
School Board, Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services,
Baycrest and Markham-Stouffville Hospital. In addition to U
of T's program, Emily is completing her certificate in francophone
practice for speech-language pathologists through the University
of Alberta and le Consortium national de formation en santé.
Emily's interest in international work outside of the program
led her to travel to the Dominican Republic and Thailand, to
work in orphanages and volunteer as an English teacher in rural
schools. Emily is very passionate about the field of speech-language
pathology and looks forward to beginning her clinical career.
Maxime Maheu, University
of Ottawa, Aud.
Maxime
Maheu obtained his Bachelor of psychology at the Université
de Montréal. While there, he worked as a research assistant
in the chronobiology laboratory of the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur
Hospital, where he had an opportunity to work on a project dealing
with tinnitus and its effect on sleep under the direction of
Sylvie Hébert and Julie Carrier. During his Master's
studies, he served as student association treasurer. In the
summer of 2009, he and two colleagues participated in a humanitarian
project in Africa with Dr André Marcoux, doing audiological
screenings. His efforts won him deserved recognition: the dean's
excellence award as well as the academic excellence award presented
by Harmonize for Speech. Maxime has been in the research field
since beginning his university studies, and he continued working
as research assistant during his Master's program at the University
of Ottawa. He will soon begin his professional career in a hospital
setting and aims to pursue his doctorate in the near future.
Justine Bruneau, University of Ottawa,
S-LP
Justine
Bruneau has always shown a strong desire to help those around
her. This will to "make a difference" quickly transformed
itself into a personal and professional quest. After obtaining
her diploma in Biopharmaceutical Science at the University of
Ottawa, she developed a growing interest for the field of rehabilitation.
Because of her concern for the welfare of children with communication
problems, Justine decided to join the speech-language pathology
program. Since starting her Master's program at the University
of Ottawa, she won an award at the Excellence Ceremony of the
Health Sciences Faculty and received an academic excellence
bursary from the Barbershoppers Association. Her class participation,
leadership and work ethic have been key factors in her success.
She has been a CASLPA student representative and is passionate
about promoting speech-language pathology. Justine is hoping
to be further involved in research in order to participate in
the development of adapted tools to allow early screening and
intervention in the young Francophone population. She is looking
forward with great enthusiasm to starting her career as a school-based
speech-language pathologist.
Danièle Robichaud, Université
Laval, S-LP
Danièle
Robichaud holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology
from the Université de Moncton, and a diploma in human
resources from the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick.
While working with the human resources team at the Children's
Hospital of Eastern Ontario, she decided to reorient her career
and pursue health studies. Danièle is currently finishing
her Master of Speech-Language Pathology at Université
Laval. During her studies, she acquired clinical experience
with various populations, especially with children with pervasive
developmental disorder, and adults with voice and language disorders
and dysphagia. Danièle is doing her internship with two
young populations, some having suffered head and brain injuries,
others with a motor deficiency. As part of her end-of-studies
essay, she has developed, in collaboration with a classmate,
a task used to assess the comprehension of irony in an IRMf
context in a French-Canadian population.
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