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Meet Anick Labrèche, Speech-Language Pathologist in the Clinic for Augmentative Communication.
Anick’s first connection to CHEO started at a young age. Anick was born with microtia – a small ear – and atresia of the external ear canal – this means she doesn’t hear out of her right ear. At 10 years old, she had multiple surgeries at CHEO to reconstruct her external ear.
Her second connection to CHEO is through volunteering with the First Words Preschool Speech and Language Program and the Clinic for Augmentative Communication.
Both experiences inspired her to dedicate her career to working with children. In 2005, she started as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and eventually landed at the Clinic for Augmentative Communication and that has been her work joy ever since!
One of her favourite memories at CHEO was during the pandemic. Like many other staff, she’d been deployed to other areas of the hospital she never got to work in and connect with other staff she never would have met before.
“It makes you appreciate the work that they do. You make real connections and learn what they do so you can better support and guide your families through their care journey.”
Anick got to appreciate her fellow staff even more when she had to bring her son to CHEO to have his adenoids and tonsils removed by Dr. Jean-Philippe Vaccani, CHEO’s current Chief of Surgery.
Today, Anick is proud to work with a dedicated team at CHEO’s Thurston Road site. “We’re like a little family. We're really tight knit.”
What Anick loves about her job is that she gives a voice to children and youth with developmental or physical disabilities.
“That’s what inspires me at CHEO – unlocking a way for them to express themselves in another way than verbal speech.” For Anick, getting to hear her clients say “I love you” to their family for the first time or to ask for their favourite snack or song is what keeps her going.
CHEO is filled with patient and caring people like Anick. Join us.