TFA Supports Ms Sunny at APSSLH Conference 2025.

Trinh Foundation Australia was delighted to support Ms Sunny Oanh Doan to attend the APSSLH Conference in Thailand in December 2025. Ms Sunny co-presented the study, “Exploring the Impact of a Cross-Cultural Telementoring Program on Speech Therapists Working in a Majority World Country,” alongside TFA’s former Director, Associate Professor Sally Hewat. Unfortunately, Ms Sarah Day was unwell and unable to co-present. Ms Sunny also shared her reflections on the conference experience.

“This conference marked a very special milestone in my journey as a speech therapist. Being surrounded by such inspiring researchers and clinicians encouraged me to think bigger and feel more confident in my role in the profession. It also strengthened my commitment to contributing to the development of speech therapy in Vietnam, as we continue working towards independence and alignment with international standards in a sustainable way.”

“I would especially like to thank Ms. Sarah Day for inviting me to join her research. Even though Sarah was unable to attend the conference, her guidance and support were felt throughout the process. Being part of the research study was an invaluable experience, and presenting at the conference helped me clearly see how research can respond to real-life needs.”

“I am additionally thankful to Ms. Carla, Professor Sarah Verdon, Ms. Josephine, and Ms. Lucia for their encouragement before and during the presentation. Their kind words have stayed with me. I also gained many insights from their presentations and am excited to share these ideas with my colleagues back home. As a first step, I plan to interpret and share resources on Intensive Interaction, and my team is working towards inviting Carla to Vietnam next year to deliver Intensive Interaction training. I will also promote a neurodiversity-affirming stance within my professional network by sharing Sarah Verdon’s videos on neurodivergent children and the Talking Children podcast.”

TFA is proud to support emerging professionals like Sunny, helping them gain international experience and bring back knowledge to strengthen speech therapy in Vietnam.

Ms Sunny Oanh Doan and Professor Sarah Verdon has kindly shared some images from the conference, giving us a glimpse of Sunny's experience and the international connections she made.

Former TFA Director, Associate Professor Sally Hewat and Ms Sunny Oanh Doan.

TFA Director Ms. Carla Mira, Former TFA Director, Professor Sarah Verdon, and Ms. Sunny Oanh Doan.

Former TFA Director, Professor Sarah Verdon and Ms Sunny Oanh Doan at the conference dinner cruise.

Ms Sunny Oanh Doan and Associate Professor Sally Hewat presented on BBMP Meaningful Mentoring - the Long-term impacts for Majority World SLP mentees following participation in cross-cultural tele-mentoring.