Celebrating Excellence: SLP Awards & Recognition Ceremony 2025


By: Jessica Boafo

On November 27, the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) community gathered at the Rehabilitation Sciences Building for its annual Awards and Recognition Celebration, a joyful tradition that honors the collective achievements of students, faculty, and alumni. This event is more than an awards ceremony; it’s a testament to the excellence, innovation, and dedication that define our department and the profession of communication sciences.

The celebration began with inspiring remarks from SLP Chair, Dr. Rosemary Martino, who reflected on the department’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering compassionate care. From there, the spotlight turned to the remarkable individuals whose contributions have shaped our field.Though all awards are noteworthy, a few notable highlights included:

SLP Chair, Rosemary Martino with Professor Gordon Nicholson

  • Beverly Bronte-Tinkew, MHSc, recipient of the 2025 SLP Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, recognized for her 40-year career of clinical excellence, advocacy, and mentorship.
  • Koubra Haggar, honored with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding service and leadership.
  • Gordon Nicholson, celebrated with the Clinical Teaching Excellence Award, a recognition made even more meaningful by nominations from his former students. Over his tenure at Toronto Western Hospital, Gordon has mentored 46 SLP learners, a legacy of impact that will resonate for years to come.

The evening also featured a delightful surprise: Year One students debuted a parody music video, bringing laughter and energy to the room while showcasing their creativity and pride in the SLP program.

2025 Award Winners

Congratulations to all this year’s winners:

Departmental Awards

  • Clinical Teaching Excellence Award: Gordon Nicholson
  • Teaching Excellence in an Academic Course: Karla N. Washington
  • Paula A. Square Award of Excellence: Minseo Kim
  • Susan J. Wagner Student Leadership Award in Interprofessional Education: Amy Wilson
  • The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia Student Prize: Christine Lee
  • University Health Network (UHN) Award: Janelle Grace Tung
  • UHN – Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (TRI) Patient Quality of Life Award: Kiruththika Pushpalingam
  • The University of Toronto Student Leadership Award (UTSLA): Cora Cushman & Aanjana Piratheeparatnam

Convocation Awards (MHSc Class of 2025)

  • Harmonize for Speech Fund Academic Excellence Award: Hilary Cooke

External Academic Excellence Awards – Clinical Stream

  • SAC Student Achievement Award: Anh Nhu Emily Tran, Aanjana Piratheeparatnam, Kiruththika Pushpalingam
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarships: Bella Yanovsky, Joelle Peresin, Rachel Kindellan

External Academic Excellence Awards – RSI Research Stream

  • Anna Huynh: Peterborough K.M. Hunter Graduate Student Award, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Student Scholarship, Dr. Bernard Lau Memorial Scholarship, Foundation Vincent Bourque-ALS Canada-Brain Canada Doctoral Award
  • Kai Leung: Margaret & Howard Gamble Research Grant, Hayden Hantho Award, Peterborough K.M. Hunter Graduate Student Award, Hilda and William Courtney Clayton Paediatric Research Fund, Theresa and Miron Polatajko Graduate Award, RSI Research Day Best Oral Presentation, Collaborative Program in Neuroscience Oral Presentation Award
  • Ala Refai: Office of Research Trainees Conference Award
  • Emillee York: CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Program
  • Somayah Al-Ees: Polatajko-Howell Student Conference Fund
  • Nicole Bazzocchi: RSI Conference Participation Award, Polatajko-Howell Student Conference Fund

Departmental Bursaries & Scholarships

  • Donalda J. McGeachy Memorial Scholarship of Excellence: Hannah Angel Jordan
  • Glennie/Cizman Scholarships: Anushka Bhalla & Andrea Edolinda Di Bartolomeo
  • Jean F. Walker Scholarship: Chantal Cheung
  • Harmonize for Speech Fund Entrance Scholarships: Shahad Moiz Badr & Zayd Jose Diz
  • Harmonize for Speech Fund Graduate Scholarships: Michelle Xu, Kiara Yasmine Goldenberg, Yiannie Lin, Hammad Atcha & Lara Flanzbaum
  • American Women’s Club of Toronto Scholarships: Sneha Patel & Samantha Sergi
  • Barbara Meissner-Fishbein Memorial Award: Zahra Sajjad
  • The Doreen and John Deluzio Award for Excellence in Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation: Hammad Atcha
  • Chris Gandy International Outreach Award: Saarah Shahzad Bagha, Charlotte Sulek, Elaina Fenghua Van Abbema

SLP Alumni Association Awards

  • Paula A. Square Travel Award: Kai Leung & Judy Wang
  • Margaret L. Stoicheff Graduate Award: Chantal Elizabeth Cheung
  • Distinguished Service Award: Beverly Bronte-Tinkew

Special Recognition

  • King Charles III Coronation Medal: Koubra Haggar

As the year draws to a close, this celebration was a perfect way to usher in the holiday season, with gratitude, joy, and a shared commitment to giving voice to those who need it most. Congratulations to all honorees and to the entire SLP community for continuing to set the standard for excellence in communication sciences!