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Awards and Recognition Program

Recognizing individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.

The 2025-2026 Awards nominations are now closed.

Each year, SAC recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the association or the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.

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?

There is also the option for self-nominations. If you believe you’ve made an outstanding contribution, or know someone who has, apply with a letter of support from a colleague to shine a light on these exceptional efforts. 

All nominees must be SAC members or associates.

Eligibility

SAC member or associate with a minimum of 25 years of membership

Nomination

SAC member or associate, or general public

Description

Awarded to a member or associate of SAC (may be awarded posthumously) who has a long history of distinguished and dedicated service to both SAC and the professions of speech-language pathology or audiology in the areas of education, clinical services, administration or public awareness and has fostered the development and advancement of the professions, nationally or internationally. Nominees must demonstrate significant and outstanding individual achievements, have a minimum of 25 years of SAC membership and may be nominated by SAC members or associates or the general public.

Eligibility

SAC member or associate

Nomination

SAC member or associate (including SAC student associates)

Description

Awarded to an SAC member or associate who has significantly influenced or contributed to the clinical training and/or professional development of a student(s) or colleague(s) in speech-language pathology or audiology, either as a clinical supervisor, a mentor or academic faculty. Nominees demonstrate unique and outstanding individual achievements in mentorship, have contributed to the development of others, and have served as role models for students and colleagues within the profession.

Eligibility

SAC communication health assistant associate

Nomination

S-LPs or audiologists may nominate communication health assistants under their supervision; communication health assistant peers may also nominate, provided the supervising S-LP or audiologist supports the nomination (nominators do not need to be SAC members or associates)

Description

Awarded to an SAC communication health assistant associate who has demonstrated professional excellence. Some examples of considerations include distinction in assisting speech-language pathologists or audiologists with implementation of treatment plans, materials, outstanding team participation or excellence in the provision of patient and client care.

Eligibility

SAC speech-language pathologist

Nomination

SAC member or associate, or general public

Description

To recognise a Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) speech-language pathologist who has demonstrated excellence in their field, this award will be presented to a Speech-Language Pathologist based on exemplary performance in any one or a combination of the following criteria: leadership, advocacy, and research.

Eligibility

SAC audiologist

Nomination

SAC member or associate, or general public

Description

To recognize a Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) audiologist who has demonstrated excellence in their field, this award will go to an audiologist based on exemplary performance in any one or a combination of the following criteria: leadership, advocacy, and research.

Nominate someone for an SAC award!

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 SAC Awards Recipients

Eve Kassirer
Lifetime Achievement Award
Linda-Rammage-eve-kassirer-bw
Linda Rammage

PhD, RSLP, S-LP(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist

André Lafargue
Mentorship
Award
Dana-Fergusson-andre-lafargue-bw
Dana Fergusson

M.Sc., S-LP(C)-Reg
Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologist
of the Year
MaryAnn-Schouten-slp-year-bw
MaryAnn Schouten

M.SLP, S-LP (c), reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist

Communication Health Assistant Award of Excellence
Angela-Muis-cha-year-bw
Angela Muis

BA, SLP-A
Communication Health Assistant

Historical List of SAC Award Winners

(Formerly Lifetime Achievement Award and Eve Kassirer Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement; name change effective 2019)

2024: Maria Scaringi, MS, SLP (C), Reg CASLPO, RRP, CCC-SLP, CCLCP™, CI, ICCCP(F)
2023: Kim Lawlor
2021: M. Kathleen Pichora-Fuller
2020: Patricia L. Cleave, PhD, S-LP(C)

2016: Gillian Barnes, MA, S-LP(C)
2018: Lynne Brewster, PhD, L.S.L.S., Cert. AVT.

2023: Sandrine Umunoza

2022: Maureen Penko, M.Sc. Reg. S-LP
2020: Diane Dacquay, RSLP, S-LP(C); Kathleen Kennedy, RSLP, S-LP(C)
2019: Janine Verge, AuD, Aud(C)
2018: Aravind Namasivayam PhD, S-LP(C)
2016: Kelli deVries, M.Sc., S-LP(C)

2023: Audette Sylvestre, Mélissa Di Sante, Catherine Julien, Caroline Bouchard, Vincent Martel-Sauvageau, Jean Leblond
2022: Janis Oram Cardy PhD, S-LP(C), MHSc, Reg. CASLPO; Olivia Daub, PhD, S-LP; BJ Cunnigham PhD, S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO
2021: Jennifer C Wong, MHSc, S-LP(C) Reg. CASLPO
2020: Daniela K. O'Neill, Taylor J. Deglint, Ashley McKinnon, Angela Nyhout and Julianne Scott
2019: Mathieu Hotton, Ph.D.; François Bergeron Ph.D
2018: Susan Rvachew, PhD, S-LP(C); Phaedra Royle, PhD; Laura M. Gonnerman, PhD; Brigitte Stanké, PhD, M.O.A., M.Sc.Math.; Alexandra Marquis, PhD; Alexandre Herbay, PhD candidate

2024: Jana Leggett, MHSc.

2022: Andrea Little

2016: Catriona Steele, PhD, S-LP(C)
2018: Judy Meintzer, R.SLP, SLP(C)

2000: Debbie Shugar
2001: Walter B. Green

2004: Mdme. Germaine Huot

2014: The Elks & Royal Purple Fund for Children; Virginia Martin, S-LP, M.Sc., MA; Colleen Braun-Janzen, MA, S-LP(C)

2014: Using 1000 Hz Tympanometry in Hearing Screening of Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
2016: The Motor Speech Research Study

2014: ALS Team, The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre 
2016: ISAND
2018: Centre for Autism Services Alberta

(Formerly Distinguished Service Award; name change effective with 1998 award)

2016: The Elks of Canada
2014: Stephen and Carol Goff

2014: Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute — University Health Network

2014: Clayton Fisher (Audiology - University of Western Ontario)
2015: Selena Vermey (Audiology - University of British Columbia)
2016: Janet Kim, M.Sc. (Audiology - Western University)
2017: Katharine Davies, BA, MA, M.Sc. Candidate (S-LP - University of British Columbia)
2018: Eleanor Campbell, BA, M.Sc. candidate

2015: Barbara Jane Cunningham, M.Sc., SLP(C), Reg. CASLPO
2016: Elaine Kwok
2017: Michelle Phoenix, M.H.Sc., Reg.CASLPO, PhD Candidate

2017: Kelsey Andison, M.Sc., RAUD, RHIP, Aud(C), Jessica Clarke, M.Sc., R.SLP, S-LP(C)
2018: Allison Ames, MSc, R.SLP, S-LP(C); Lewis Smith, M.Sc., Aud(C)
2019: Martine Schlagintweit, Aud(C); Peter T. Cahill, S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO; Jessica Davidson, M.Sc.(A), S-LP(C)
2020: Jessica Niemela, M. Sc., Aud(C); Brianne Senior, M.Sc., RSLP, S-LP(C)
2021: Allison V Robbins, M.Sc., Aud(C); Marissa Woods, BA, MSc, RSLP, S-LP(C); Samaneh (Anna) Yekta, M.Sc, Aud(C)

2018

  • Kegan R. Stephen, audiology program, Dalhousie University
  • Katherine Morin, BMT, MTA, S-LP program, Dalhousie University
  • Megan George, S-LP program, McGill University
  • Andrew McCormick, audiology program, Western University
  • Ayesha L. M. Johnson, S-LP program, Western University
  • Andrea Lau, M.Sc., S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO, S-LP program, University of Alberta
  • Jaime Meunier, audiology program, University of British Columbia
  • Helena Burrows, S-LP program, University of British Columbia
  • Valérie Caza, S-LP program, Université Laurentienne
  • Valérie Coulombe, S-LP program, Université Laval
  • Francis L'Africain, audiology program, Université de Montréal
  • Karina Girard Laprise, audiology program, University of Ottawa
  • Jenna Tremblay-Leger, S-LP program, University of Ottawa
  • Maréva Savary, S-LP program, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
  • Jenna Haji, S-LP program, University of Toronto

2017

  • Elspeth MacLachlan, audiology program, Dalhousie University
  • Jenna MacDonald, S-LP program, Dalhousie University
  • Danielle Huot, S-LP program, Université Laurentienne
  • Cléo Guillemette, S-LP program, Université Laval
  • Evan Kennedy, S-LP program, McGill University
  • Kelsey McLaughlin, S-LP program, University of Alberta
  • Chelsey Michaud, audiology program, University of British Columbia
  • Jessie Lee, S-LP program, University of British Columbia
  • Patricia Darche, audiology program, Université de Montréal
  • Maryse Meunier, S-LP program, Université de Montréal
  • Emilia Colagrosso, audiology program, Université d'Ottawa
  • Marie Bellavance-Courtemanche, S-LP program, Université d'Ottawa
  • Amy Verschuuren, S-LP program, University of Toronto
  • Darcy Ellen Rick, audiology program, Western University
  • Kerry Hollingsworth, S-LP program, Western University

2016

  • Keith (Kate) Baldoz, audiology program, Dalhousie University
  • Janine Fitzpatrick, S-LP program, Dalhousie University
  • Charlotte Guillet, S-LP program, McGill University
  • Sarah Danielsen, S-LP program, University of Alberta
  • Stephanie Renaas, audiology program, University of British Columbia
  • Megan Morrison, S-LP program, University of British Columbia
  • Maxine Bélanger, S-LP program, Université Laurentienne
  • Kristina Findlay, S-LP program, Université Laval
  • Alexis Pinsonnault-Skvarenina, audiology program, Université de Montréal
  • Jordon Thompson, audiology program, University of Ottawa
  • Alissa Azzimmaturo, S-LP program, University of Ottawa
  • Karine Bureau, S-LP program, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
  • Ashley Sirko, S-LP program, University of Toronto
  • Kathryn Toner, audiology program, Western University
  • Emily Dueck, S-LP program, Western University

2015

  • Laura Hart, Dalhousie University, Aud.
  • Melissa Mulherin, Dalhousie University, S-LP
  • Michelle Brouillette, Université Laurentienne, S-LP
  • Marilyne Joyal, Université Laval, S-LP
  • Suzanne (Suzy) Read, McGill University, S-LP
  • Sarah Benetti, University of Alberta, S-LP
  • Myron Huen, University of British Columbia, Aud.
  • Katrina Kwan, University of British Columbia, S-LP
  • Stéphanie Vachon, Université de Montréal, S-LP
  • Christelle Gagnon, Université d'Ottawa, Aud.
  • Céline Baracho, Université d'Ottawa, S-LP
  • Amélie Labeaume, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, S-LP
  • Krista Howarth, University of Toronto, S-LP
  • Victoria (Tori) Stone, Western University, Aud.
  • Jocelyn Hayes, Western University, S-LP

2014

  • Sarah E. Wilson, Dalhousie University, Aud.
  • Heather Elizabeth Beckingham, Dalhousie University, S-LP
  • Emma Wells, McGill University, S-LP
  • Julia Esch, University of Alberta, S-LP
  • Gillian Taylor, University of British Columbia, Aud.
  • Shanu Kotwal, University of British Columbia, S-LP
  • Nancy Langlois, Université Laval, S-LP
  • Julie Roy, Université de Montréal, Aud.
  • Marie-Claude Sansregret, Université de Montréal, S-LP
  • Isabelle Mineault-Guitard, University of Ottawa, Aud.
  • Brittany Mendes, University of Ottawa, S-LP
  • Leanne Dall, University of Toronto, S-LP
  • Michael Vekasi, University of Western Ontario, Aud.
  • Alisha Vaz, University of Western Ontario, S-LP
  • Last modified:
  • 2026-02-02

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