Distinguished Service Award Winner
Simone Fischbach, MHSc

Each year, the Alumni Association sends out a call for nominations for our Distinguished Service Award (DSA), which recognizes alumni of the department who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of communication disorders and swallowing in at least two of the following areas: academic achievement, clinical services, and promotion of the profession.

This year’s DSA winner is Simone Fischbach. Simone is a Speech-Language Pathologist with the Cleft Lip/Palate and Craniofacial programs at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). She has established a record of leadership and success as an inter-professional educator and mentor through partnerships with the University of Toronto, the SickKids International Learner Program, Transforming Faces, and Operation Smile. 

She is also an Assistant Professor (status-appointed) in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. She has presented nationally and internationally on velopharyngeal dysfunction and structurally-related speech disorders, and has contributed to publications related to these areas. Simone’s commitment to research is grounded in a desire for optimal outcomes for patients with cleft/craniofacial conditions. 

She is co-inventor of the SickKids Cleft Speech Scoring System - the result of a collaboration between cleft surgeons and Speech-Language Pathologists at SickKids. She has also played a leadership role in the development and implementation of an innovative prioritization rating system to assist with timely scheduling of surgery for velopharyngeal dysfunction. Her involvement in regulatory committees for the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language of Ontario (CASLPO) as well as professional association committees for Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) and the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA), has enabled her to meaningfully contribute to service delivery guidelines and professional practice standards. Simone graduated from the MHSc program in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto in 1997.

Here is Simone Fischbach’s acceptance speech for the Distinguished Service Award, as presented at the Award Celebration ceremony:

I want to express my deepest gratitude for the honour of receiving this distinguished service award. It is truly humbling to stand before you today, surrounded by individuals who have not only shaped my journey but have also been instrumental in acknowledging my contributions.

Reflecting on my career journey, I am taken back to 1997 when I graduated from the University of Toronto Speech-Language Pathology program. Unlike some of my classmates, I did not have a clear vision of my professional future. During this period of self-doubt, a trusted advisor told me to figure out my passion, as that would lead me to my purpose. This piece of wisdom resonated deeply with me and became my guiding light. 

"The values of excellence, integrity, and inter-professional collaboration have been the cornerstones of my clinical practice."

Fast forward to today, and I stand before you as someone who has traversed the path from a hesitant new graduate to the recipient of a prestigious award. This journey has been shaped by the alignment of my core values with those inherent to the profession of Speech-Language Pathology and the values instilled in me by my professors and clinical supervisors while a student. 

Taking the time to understand my core values and what really mattered to me was a key step in finding my passion and shaping a professional identity that I am proud of. The values of excellence, integrity, and interprofessional collaboration have been the cornerstones of my clinical practice and have steered me toward impactful contributions and collaborative relationships within multidisciplinary teams. Compassion and advocacy guide my approach to family-centred care as well as my interactions with learners and colleagues. The values of social responsibility, equity, diversity, and professionalism drive my dedication to patient empowerment and my involvement in regulatory and professional association committees focused on standards for our profession. 

"I am immensely grateful to all my mentors for their unwavering support and encouragement, for shaping my path, for unleashing my potential, and for helping
 me discover my true passion as a champion of optimal outcomes for those living
with cleft and craniofacial conditions."

My interest in research has fueled my commitment to innovation, evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives aimed at ensuring optimal outcomes for patients. A strong commitment to imparting knowledge and fostering clinical excellence has led me to forge partnerships locally and internationally as an interprofessional educator and mentor. 

Along my journey, the influence of my exceptional mentors cannot be overstated. Several of my mentors have been Speech-Language Pathologists but, thanks to the collaborative nature of our profession, some have been members of other professions too. I am immensely grateful to all my mentors for their unwavering support and encouragement, for shaping my path, for unleashing my potential, and for helping me discover my true passion as a champion of optimal outcomes for those living with cleft and craniofacial conditions. 

I am also indebted to the patients and families I have had the privilege of serving. Through their experiences and challenges, I discovered a profound sense of purpose. A parent once told me that the involvement of a Speech-Language Pathologist in their child’s care team was a “beacon of light” during a time of significant uncertainty. This sentiment was an important lesson to never underestimate the power of our advocacy and our impact.

"A parent once told me that the involvement of a Speech-Language Pathologist in their child’s care team was a 'beacon of light' during a time of significant uncertainty."

In our role as Speech-Language Pathologists, we are not just teaching sounds and words; we are empowering patients to meaningfully engage with their families, friends, and communities. 

Twenty-six years after graduating, I can attest that the journey of a Speech-Language Pathologist is a continuous learning experience. It's a profession that demands technical expertise, compassion, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of every individual we serve. It's a profession that challenges us to stay curious, innovative, and dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality of care. 

Receiving this award is a moment in my career journey that I will cherish. It is a testament not only to personal growth but also to positive impact and lives touched. As R.J. Palacio, the author of Wonder, beautifully puts it, “The best way to measure how much you’ve grown isn’t by inches…it’s what you’ve done with your time, how you’ve chosen to spend your days, and whom you’ve touched…That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” 

To the faculty and Alumni Association, I am sincerely grateful for this honour. To my nominators, Laurie Russell and Isabella Speranza, and all my work colleagues, thank you for your support, guidance and friendship. And to my family, thank you for your love and encouragement. To the student, I offer you three pieces of advice based on my journey of discovery: 

I wish all of you the best of luck in your career journeys. May you find fulfilment in your pursuits and, most importantly, may you make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Thank you.

Know someone deserving of a Distinguished Service Award? 

Consider nominating your peers!
For more information about this award please visit: http://www.slp.utoronto.ca/alumni/alumni-association/