Find out all the ways your support has made a difference
No images? Click here
INSTITUTE FOR STUTTERING TREATMENT AND RESEARCH
October 2025 Newsletter
Message from the Dean
Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day!
Over the last few months, I have had the honour of meeting many of you who are a part of the ISTAR community. But for those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself.
I’m Esther Kim, interim dean in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FRM). I have been with the faculty since December 2009. Prior to assuming the role of interim dean, I was chair in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
I am a proud U of A alumna, and as a speech-language pathologist and researcher, my main focus has always been improving outcomes and accessibility for individuals with aphasia and other acquired communication disorders. Giving a voice to individuals with stuttering and other communication disorders is a cause I hold very close to my heart. This is why I am always inspired by the work ISTAR does in our community.
ISTAR has had quite a few changes over the last several months. We are excited to welcome back Keira Hughes to our Calgary office, and also welcome Lujia Yang and Shanela David to our Edmonton office. It is always great to see former placement students return to join the ISTAR team! I am also extremely grateful for Ashley Saunders’ leadership in ISTAR since she took over at the start of the year. While she is on maternity leave, operational and leadership roles within ISTAR will be managed by myself and Marlo DeVouge. I am grateful to Jessica Harasym, senior ISTAR clinician for providing clinical leadership and caseload management during this transition. We are committed to supporting ISTAR so its clients will continue to receive the quality services ISTAR is known for.
There is no doubt the impact ISTAR makes would not be possible without an incredible community of supporters, including generous donors and the ISTAR Foundation. Your contributions provide assistance to clients in need, ensuring life-changing therapy is accessible. It is inspiring to see the long-standing relationships and ongoing trust of our friends, partners, volunteers and colleagues. And I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who support ISTAR — your dedication is a testament to the importance of this work.
Again, thank you for all you do. ISTAR’s commitment to the people they serve is unwavering and together, we can continue to support them in their important work.
Dr. Esther Kim
Interim Dean and Professor
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
Message from the ISTAR Foundation chairs
It is a privilege to serve as the Co-Chairs of the ISTAR Foundation Board and help ISTAR advance its mission of impacting the lives of those who stutter or have other speech disorders. We do this through advocacy, partnerships and fundraising.
ISTAR has been making a tremendous impact on the lives of people who stutter since its founding in 1986. It is amazing what has been accomplished by a small group of dedicated people over the years. We are grateful for everyone that has contributed to this amazing organization. We want to particularly thank former ISTAR Clinic Director Holly Lomheim who retired in September 2024, after 30 years of service to ISTAR and people who stutter. We wish her all the best in her retirement.
The ISTAR Foundation has continued to support clients in ISTAR treatment programs and we have been working to raise awareness about stuttering and ISTAR’s work through presentations to community-service clubs.
We are looking forward to celebrating ISTAR’s 40th anniversary in 2026. Stay tuned for details about the exciting celebration program. It is our sincere hope that these events will not only be a tremendous celebration of ISTAR’s accomplishments but also be a catalyst to bring former clients and staff together, as we embark on the next 40 years of ISTAR.
With a deep sense of gratitude, I wish to thank all the donors, partners, the Foundation members and ISTAR clinicians and staff. Jointly, we have the intention to deliver and the ability to change many lives. As Co-Chairs, we assure you that we will continue to work together for everyone who stutters or has other communication challenges.
Dr. Anwar Haq & Shamez Kassam
Co-Chairs, ISTAR Foundation Board
STAR donor
Forty years of giving started with a song
Arnold and Grace Rumbold’s decades-long commitment to stuttering treatment was sparked by a friendship and sustained by evidence of incredible impact
STAR client
ISTAR helps teen gain confidence through speech
For years, a stutter had made simple interactions a source of anxiety - even tears - for Karise El-Halabi. “I hated talking to people,” says the 13-year-old. It wasn’t until her parents, Imad and Najwa brought her to the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR) that she started to feel more confident.
STAR volunteer
Volunteering at ISTAR teaches important lessons
When Melissa Regier began her undergraduate studies in education, one volunteer opportunity at ISTAR quickly defined her future path at the University of Alberta.
STAR student
A student’s journey: From Personal Experience to Pursuing a Career in Speech-Language Pathology
For graduate student Tracie Pospisil, a passion for speech-language pathology (SLP) was sparked by personal experience — growing up alongside her sister Kristen, who has Down syndrome, she saw firsthand the barriers individuals with communication challenges face.
STAR team
Spotlight on Claire: A passionate voice in speech therapy
For Claire, a full-time clinician at the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR), the journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist began with a simple opportunity in junior high.
Big reveal: ISTAR's new group therapy room
We’re so excited to share our new speech therapy space in Edmonton, made possible by the amazing support of our incredible community of donors and volunteers. Thanks to their time, effort, and generosity, we now have a bright, welcoming group therapy room and a comfortable waiting area. This new space is designed to make communication easier and more comfortable for clients of all ages and their families. It's all about creating an environment where people feel at ease and can focus on what matters most. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life!
ISTAR stats for 2024-25
At a glance
In 2024-2025, ISTAR served 344 clients and of those 93 were helped in part by ICAP donor-supported funds.
ISTAR trained 12 SLP students (in student placements) and 50 practising SLPs (in partner workshops).
Scholarship recipients
ISTAR is pleased to congratulate the following recipients of scholarships issued from the Alberta Elks Foundation for the 2024-2025 year.
We wish each of them the best in their future studies and clinical practice or research!
The Deborah Kully/Alberta Elks Foundation Scholarship
Brett Nesbit
University of Alberta
Sewit Tewelde
University of Toronto
Hannah Gau
University of Alberta
The Einer Boberg/Alberta Elks Foundation Memorial
Graduate Award in Stuttering Treatment and Research
Awarded annually to students in speech-language pathology who have completed a practicum at ISTAR and demonstrated strong clinical skills with an interest in the area of stuttering treatment and a research interest in the area of stuttering.
Research news
We are happy to share the following articles that are now or very soon to be published.
Sarah Delpeche, Ross Menzies, Katerina Ntourou, Ashley Saunders & Mark Onslow (06 Nov 2024): Contemporary clinical conversations about stuttering: How clinically important is mental health during management of early stuttering? International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2024.2420597
Harasym, Jessica A., Gross, Douglas P., MacLeod, Andrea A.N., Phelan, Shanon K. (2025). “Support Me, Believe Me”: Youth Experiences Navigating Post-Concussion Communication Changes. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 40 (5), E430-E481. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001069.
Harasym, Jessica A., Lui, Brian C., Lloyd, Hunter, Ramsay, Scott. The Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Concussion: A Scoping Review. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 40 (5), E430-E481. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001069.
ISTAR Foundation and staff
2024 ISTAR Foundation members in alphabetical order:
- Darren Abbott
- Al Gummesen (previous Elks representative)
- Anwar Haq (chair)
- Erin Johnson (vice-chair)
- Shamez Kassam
- Nazir Kassamali (treasurer)
- Sharen McLean (incoming Elks representative)
- Heather McLeod (previous Elks representative)
ISTAR staff
Thank you to our ISTAR staff clinicians and administrators:
- Jessica Harasym O'Byrne
- Ashley Saunders
- Claire Casault
- Spenser Halfyard
- Erin Dodd
- Lujia Yang
- Shanela David
- Kiera Hughes (Calgary clinician)
- Amanda Strang (Calgary clinician)
- Marlo DeVouge, Camryn Konowalyk and Crystal (administrative assistants)
Thank you to the ISTAR team, we are very proud of the support you provide to all our client families. Special thanks to Calgary clinician Amanda Strang for your work with ISTAR during the last year, we wish you all the best in your next role.
A warm welcome as well to new Edmonton office clincians Lujia Yang and Shanela David. We are very excited to continue our work together after your hard work on our Group Intensive programs and Children's Camps during 2025.
Workshops
List of workshops, presentations and training sessions during Fiscal 2024-25
Mentoring to SLPs in BC and Alberta
Conducted Effective Communication Workshops for a local business, as well as Executive Coaching and delivered Accent Modification workshops in August to October 2024.
Delivered webinar ‘Using the Comprehensive Stuttering Program to Support Positive Attitudes about Stuttering while Managing Fluency’ with the Stuttering Specialists Montreal on May 30, 2024
How to donate
TO US, EVERY VOICE MATTERS
Most of us think that talking on the phone, ordering our own food and saying our own name are all relatively simple tasks everyone does on a daily basis.
However, for nearly 300,000 Canadians, this is not a reality. Individuals who stutter or are experiencing communication challenges struggle to use their voices each and every day. The Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR) can help.
ISTAR offers specialized treatment to children, teens and adults who stutter. In addition, ISTAR conducts research into stuttering and offers advanced professional training for speech-pathology students and clinicians while also raising awareness about stuttering and its treatment.
ISTAR is committed to ensuring that people who stutter are aware of treatment options and have an opportunity to receive the treatment they need.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Help more people who stutter find their voices today.
Or contact:
Shannon De'Aeth, Assistant Dean, Development
780-492-3771, sdeaeth@ualberta.ca
 |