Ala Refai, Speech-language Pathology

Ala Refai is a second year MHSc. Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) student and is an incoming M.Sc. student. Under the supervision of Dr. Rosemary Martino, Ala aims to explore quality of life and caregiver burden in head and neck cancer patients with dysphagia. During her journey in the SLP program, Ala has taken on leadership opportunities such as serving as a moderator for the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute Leadership Rehab Rounds, being a committee head for the 2021 Theory to Therapy SLP & Audiology Graduate Student Conference and being a facilitator for Interprofessional Education (IPE) events. 

Ala recognized that the SLP field needed safe and inclusive spaces for People of Colour (POC), both for patients as well as healthcare professionals. Often, there is a disconnect between education or representation in the SLP field and POC. For example, many POC families are hearing different diagnoses (i.e., aphasia, dysphagia, autism, etc.) and treatments for the first time, without communication and language barriers being considered or having access to SLPs from the same cultural or linguistic background. As such, Ala created an instagram account to increase POC visibility and voices in the speech-language pathology field. This account, @slppoc, provides access to information & representation through the sharing of tips and resources (i.e., communication tips, job opportunities, etc.) to bring awareness to and educate POC on various conditions, topics, and strategies. Additionally, it aims to feature personal stories from patients/clients as well as highlight POC health care professionals. Ala gathered a team of over 20 passionate and caring bilingual volunteers to translate posts in 10+ languages. 

Ala’s leadership philosophy is two-fold. To be a good leader, you first need to reflect on what your own values are to make sure that what you do is in accordance with those values. Secondly, a good leader recognizes that each person has a responsibility to continuously look for ways to improve and take initiative to be a part of that change. Following these two guidelines allows you to work on issues that are meaningful to you and will attract like-minded others. It also helps foster relationships with team members to give them the space to be appreciated, heard, and to feel empowered enough to take on their own initiatives.