SAC is looking to reimagine how we support and promote clinically relevant research. We are seeking motivated and innovative clinicians and researchers to aid in the development of a distinctly Canadian approach to knowledge dissemination. This will be a short-term commitment to help us better understand the value proposition of the existing research publications and resources and to inform our plans to revitalize our offerings in a way that best meet our members’ needs. This group will be comprised of Canadian researchers, clinicians and leaders from across Canada and from all areas of practice in SL-P and audiology.

Apply for the working group here.

SAC’s Director of Audiology, Bonnie Cooke, and Jana Bataineh, an audiology student at Western, attended the AFHTO (Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario) 2025: Power of Primary Care Conference.

Jana presented the poster Interprofessional Online Learning: Integrating Audiology into Team-Based Primary Care by Jana Bataineh, Bonnie Cooke, Robin O’Hagan, Jennifer Cameron Turley, and Danielle Glista.

Bonnie presented the poster Communication Access as a Foundational Component to Successful Primary Care: Fostering Effective and Accessible Communication in Team-Based Primary Care by Bonnie Cooke, Jana N. Bataineh, Danielle Glista, Robin O’Hagan, Jennifer Cameron-Turley, and Sheila T.F. Moodie.

These posters stem from our Team Primary Care audiology module, which you can find in our TPC toolkit.

Thank you to AFHTO for the incredible experience and to all the delegates and presenters for their valuable insights and knowledge. Thanks so much to Bonnie and Jana for their incredible presentations and hard work in representing SAC.

Did you know there is a connection between diabetes and communication health? Although S-LPs are not primarily responsible for the medical management of diabetes, they play a crucial role in helping individuals manage challenges related to the condition. These challenges may include dysphagia and speech, or communication difficulties caused by diabetic neuropathy or strokes.

Similarly, audiologists are trained to address hearing and balance issues that are commonly experienced by those with diabetes. These issues may include hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular problems.

On March 1st, SAC participated as an exhibitor at the Diabetes Simplified event hosted by Diabetes Canada in Toronto. The event provided an opportunity to discuss the link between communication health and diabetes with attendees, distribute informative resources, and connect with healthcare providers.

SAC is excited to participate in future events to further promote awareness about communication health and the professions. We encourage our members to share insights with other healthcare professionals to highlight the critical role of communication health and its connections to various other conditions.

To learn more about the connection between hearing loss and diabetes, check out SAC’s interview with Christine Meston in the Diabetes Canada Healthcare Huddle series here: Hearing Loss and Diabetes with Christine Meston.

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my great pleasure to introduce SAC’s new Chief Executive Officer Luciana Nechita. Luciana brings a dynamic blend of leadership, vision, and passion for the non-profit sector, making her an excellent choice to lead SAC into its next chapter. With nearly 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership, Luciana has a proven track record of transforming organizations, driving member engagement, and advocating for professionals.

In her most recent role as the Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology, Luciana successfully led strategic growth initiatives, transitioned the organization to virtual programming during the pandemic, and championed national and international partner engagement, advocacy and awareness campaigns that elevated the profile of interventional radiology. Her expertise in strategic leadership, financial management, and member and partner-driven initiatives will be invaluable as SAC continues to grow and innovate.

Luciana is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture within SAC, enhancing member value, and strengthening SAC’s advocacy efforts to ensure our professions are recognized and supported across Canada.

The Board is confident that Luciana’s leadership—marked by empathy, humour, and a focus on building strong relationships—will resonate with SAC’s members, staff, and partners. She brings not only extensive expertise, but also an infectious enthusiasm for advancing SAC’s mission and making a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadians.

The Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank Eva Salwecki, who served as SAC’s interim CEO from June to November 2024. During this time, Eva worked with SAC staff, partners, and the Board of Directors to help ensure the continuity of SAC’s important work.

Please join me warmly welcoming Luciana to SAC and sending best wishes to Eva for her future endeavors!

Susan J. Wagner, B.Sc. (SPA), M.Sc.(CD), S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO
Chair, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada