SLP UofT Alumni Association
Our Mission
The University of Toronto Department of Speech-Language Pathology Alumni Association endeavours to improve quality of life for students and Alumni of the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Toronto. Please read on to learn more about what we do.
• Events Sponsored by the Alumni Association
• Awards Sponsored by the Alumni Association
• About Us
Stay Connected
- NEW Steps to Maintaining a UofT Email Account after Graduation:
- Join us on facebook! Connect with other SLP alumni and stay up to date with Alumni Association news, events, and awards…
- To remain current with the latest Alumni Association updates, events, and newsletter, please update your contact information by completing the Update Your Contact Information Form or by emailing address.update@utoronto.ca.
Events Sponsored by the Alumni Association
J. F. Walker Lecture Series
This lecture is sponsored by the Alumni Executive on behalf of Jean F. Walker, Professor Emeritus at University of Toronto.
The topic for this lecture is chosen to reflect a general area of interest to all Speech-Language Pathologists, and is open to all interested professionals practicing in the area of communication and swallowing disorders. As a biennial event, the next J.F. Walker Lecture is planned for JUNE 13, 2025!
Here are just a few highlights of previous topics:
- Post Pandemic Practice: Impact on Programs, Patients, and Health Professionals (2023)
- Driving Change in Healthcare: Healthcare Professionals Talk Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (2021)
- Screen Time with Kids and Telerehab with Adults: Navigating the Benefits and Challenges (2019)
Alumni Welcome Breakfast
This event is hosted by the Alumni Executive and Year 2 students for Year 1 students, early in the Fall term. The Alumni Welcome Breakfast is an opportunity for mingling between students and Alumni. This event helps students feel welcome during the busy first month in the M.H. Sc. Program, and aims to establish contact between students and Alumni early on in students’ academic careers at University of Toronto. Alumni who are interested in volunteering for this event , please reach out to us at slp.alumni@utoronto.ca.
Graduation Reception
A Graduation Reception is hosted in November, immediately prior to fall convocation for the current year’s Graduates of the M.H.Sc. Program. All Graduates and their Convocation guests are invited to this event. The Department Chair and Alumni President address Graduates and guests. The Sandra M. Henderson Award (for excellence in clinical placements) and an academic award (for the student with the highest academic standing in the M.H.Sc. Program) are presented at this event. The Harmonize for Speech Fund Barbershoppers have also been known to make an appearance! Following the Graduation Reception, Graduates make their way Knox College to pick-up gowns for the convocation ceremony.
Information Social
This event is hosted in every spring for Year 2 students, in order to help prepare them to enter the working world. Samples of cover letters and resumes are provided for students. Mock interviews are also conducted by Alumni members with student volunteers, providing a forum for discussing strategies for responding to typical job interview questions. Current job openings and job search strategies are also discussed.
Awards Sponsored by the Alumni Association
Distinguished Service Award
In an effort to recognize University of Toronto Department of Speech-Language Pathology alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of communication disorders and swallowing, the Alumni Association selects one recipient annually who excels in at least two of the following areas of achievement:
Academic
– Exceptional contribution to research, teaching, and/or student training
Clinical Services
– Viewed by colleagues as a mentor or resource due to professional and clinical expertise
– Implementation or involvement in innovative programs for the benefit of clients
Promotion of the Profession
– Volunteer involvement with the college and/or professional associations
– Professional representation on committees and/or health-related boards
– Involvement in innovative speech-language pathology program development (e.g., in hospital, school board, preschool centre, rehabilitation centres, private practice, etc.)
– Promotion of speech-language pathology to health professional, community groups, clients, students etc.
Complete the nomination form found here.
Distinguished Service Award Winners
Congratulations to Simone Fischbach who was awarded the 2023 Distinguished Service Award at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology Award Ceremony.
Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients:
2022 – Rupal Patel
2021 – Ian Roth
2020 – Ruth Martin
2019 – Aravind Namasivayam
2018 – J.B Orange
2017 – Deryk Beal
2016 – Regina Jokel
2015 – Kim Bradley
2014 – Judy Seligman-Wine
2013 – Frances Ezerzer,
2012 – Nancy Thomas-Stonell
2011 – Janice Greenberg
2010 – Catriona Steele
2009 – Robert Kroll
2008 – Barbara Meissner Fishbein
2007 – Penny Parnes
2006 – Mary Soucie
2005 – Marlene Stein
2004 – Fern Sussman
Student Awards
Margaret Stoicheff Bursary
The Margaret Stoicheff Bursary is presented to a University of Toronto Department of Speech-Language Pathology student in the final year of the clinical Master of Health Science program who demonstrates significant financial need to help offset the expense of completing the program.
Paula Square Travel Award
The Paula Square Travel Award is bestowed upon a University of Toronto Department of Speech-Language Pathology doctoral student who has had research accepted for presentation at a conference and requires travel expenditure to attend.
Margaret Stoicheff Spirit Award
The recipient is an individual in Year II of the Clinical program. Members of the Year II class vote for the person they feel has been most influential in boosting class spirit throughout the program.
Alumni Newsletter
The latest edition of Look Who’s Talking S-LP Alumni Newsletter has been redesigned and developed as a responsive, fully accessible webpage!
In this issue
- Speech-Language Pathologist’s Role with Organ Transplant Teams
- Classes
- Research Corner
- DSA Winner: Simone Fischbach
- SLP and CDA: The Dynamic Duo We All Need
- Development of a Competency-based Clinical Education Assessment: The ACC
- EDI
- J.F. Walker Review
- The Team
Take a look and visit past S-LP Alumni newsletters here.
About Us
- Co-Presidents: Faiza Ali and Michelle Simmons
- Faculty Liaison: Tim Bressman
- Secretary: Francesca Carcone
- Treasurer: Stefanie Haws
- Newsletter Editors: Vicky Luo and Sylvia Ramorasata
- Research Stream Representative: Ala Refai
- Year 2 Class Representatives: Suzanna Lee and Sylvia Ramorasata
- Year 1 Class Representatives: Julia Petrosov & Vacant
- Faculty of Medicine Alumni Council Representative: Stefanie Haws
- Communications Committee/Webmaster(s): Francesca Carcone
- Alumni Welcome Breakfast: Suzanna Lee and Sylvia Ramorasata
- Distinguished Service Award Representative: Francesca Carcone
- Ask an Alum: Julia Petrosov, Susanna Lee, Sylvia Ramorasata and Vidya David
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee (EDI): Faiza Ali, Pauly Brar, Ivneet Gill, Kristi Kwan, Kirsten Muller, Ala Refai, Emma Scapillati, Rupinder Sran, Trish Watts. 2024 MHSc Student Reps: Aliya Leacock, Madison Silverthorne, Sewit Tewelde, Sunny Kim. Faculty Advisor: Rosemary Martino
- Grad Reception Committee: Faiza Ali, Morgan Piggott, Ala Refai, & Michelle Simmons
- J.F Walker Committee: Pauly Brar, Michelle Simmons, Morgan Piggott, & Vacant
- Spring Reunion Committee: Vacant
Alumni Association Committees and Members
Graduation Reception Committee
The Graduation Reception Committee is responsible for the organization of the yearly graduation reception for graduates from the M.H.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. programs. Preparation includes booking a venue, creating programs, selecting food and refreshments, and collecting awards and certificates. On the day of the graduation reception, members from this committee and other alumni association executive members help run this event according to the outlined program.
Ask an Alum
The Ask an Alum (formally known as InfoSocial) Committee is responsible for organizing and running a yearly career focused Social where alumni provide coaching on interview skills and give feedback on resumes and cover letters. This event is held each spring and is for the current second year students in the in M.H.Sc. program. The committee members prepare for this event by ordering food and refreshments, booking the venue, and preparing a handout for the students and alumni.
Newsletter Committee
The newsletter committee is responsible for producing the SLP alumni association’s yearly newsletter, Look Who’s Talking. The committee members support the newsletter editor with selecting and writing articles, as well as coordinating the printing and delivery of the newsletter.
J.F. Walker Committee
The J.F. Walker Committee is responsible for organizing and running the bi-annual Jean F. Walker lecture. Responsibilities include booking a venue, selecting and communicating with speakers, ordering food and refreshments, creating conference folders, and printing certificates of completion for attendees.
Spring Reunion Committee
The Spring Reunion Committee is responsible for planning, coordinating, and hosting the Alumni Association’s annual Spring Reunion (held in May).
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is responsible for communication with our alumni at large through our website, e-mail, and Facebook.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
We are a group of SLPs and former graduates of the UofT SLP program along with current student representatives and a faculty advisor. We are members of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee on the UofT SLP Alumni Association (read about us in the 2020-2021 Alumni Newsletter
Contact Information
The Alumni Association welcomes new members. If interested, please contact slp.alumni@utoronto.ca to learn how you can get involved.
last update 10-30-2024