8:00 – 9:00 am: Registration
9:00 – 10:30 am: Session 1
If you’re bilingual you likely use multiple languages in a conversation with other bilingual folks, especially if you have near equal command of multiple languages. Maybe there’s just a better way to say something in “Spanglish” or “Franglais.” Or perhaps your mannerisms change based on who you’re speaking with. This is known as the idea of code switching! In this fun workshop we will explore the different types and concepts of code switching, why people engage in such a practice, and how it relates to your work as an interpreter. And you can be assured there will be entertaining examples! Disclaimer: many examples shared will be in Spanish, but every effort will be made to appeal to all language pairs.
Objectives:
- Define the concept of Code Switching, its significance, and why people do it;
- Demonstrate examples of how individuals code switch linguistically within a conversation, or among different scenarios based upon the interaction;
- List the importance of the code-switching concept and its importance to the role of the Interpreter;
- Have fun practicing and participating in this interactive session!
The workshop is for working interpreters in all fields (court, healthcare, community and educational). There will be sample participatory and interactive exercises recommended for improving performance for attendees to sample, covering these four areas: Focus and Attention; Memory; Speed; and Register.
Interpreters will learn how to document and track their progress with these exercises by learning how to identify errors, measure progress, assess improvement and track individual aspects of performance. Attendees will be shown how to set-up and individualized metrics worksheet for tracking their individual progress and skills improvement over time. More importantly, they’ll learn how to interpret their individual results, select appropriate targeted drills to make the changes/improvements to skills they want to improve. Links to many free online training resources, practice material, phone apps, and technical tools will be shared.
Objectives:
- Focus and Attention – Learn how to improve focus and attention, participate in two different methods;
- Listening – Participate in a progressive exercise;
- Memory – Learn how to improve memory with expanded sequences, and how to modify the sequences for increasing degree of difficulty in vocabulary and register;
- Speed – Participate in a progressive exercise and learn how to modify the exercise for an increasing degree of difficulty.
This presentation aims to provide medical interpreters with a foundational understanding of congenital heart surgery, focusing on the key medical concepts, terminology, and cultural considerations essential for effective interpretation. Participants will learn about the various types of congenital heart defects, the surgical procedures involved, and the post-operative care typically required. Emphasis will be placed on accurate interpretation of complex medical terms, ensuring clear communication between patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Additionally, the presentation will guide the interpreter through the different conversations that are held with families of children undergoing heart surgery, from diagnosis, through surgery, and to discharge. This session is designed to improve interpreters’ confidence and competence in managing this specialized area of healthcare interpretation.
Objectives:
- Identify the structures of the normal heart and their function;
- Acquire bilingual terminology specific to congenital heart defects and surgery;
- Learn about the most common congenital heart defects;
- Learn about the people and the processes you will meet when interpreting for parents of children undergoing congenital heart surgery.
This workshop will provide an opportunity for interpreters to discuss and understand basic vocabulary related to gender and sexual identity. Participants will be able to acquire vocabulary and practice interpretation skills. This workshop will be facilitated in Spanish.
Objectives:
- Distinguish between gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sex assigned at birth;
- Identify societal expectations that are placed on people based on their sex assigned at birth and the impact that those expectations can have;
- Acquire vocabulary in Spanish and English that relates to gender and sexual identity;
- Practice interpretation skills.
A hands-on workshop equipping interpreters and CoNavigators with innovative techniques and strategies to ensure seamless communication and collaboration with DeafBlind individuals. Participants will engage in simulated scenarios to develop confidence in navigating complex situations, addressing safety protocols, and practicing effective tactile communication. By the end of the workshop, attendees will be better prepared to provide high-quality, empathetic support to DeafBlind consumers in various settings.
Objectives:
- Identify two personal beliefs/values that may impact/influence their interpretations.
- Recognize four different interpreting settings and identify various setups for working with DeafBlind clients (VRS/Medical/Conference/Education);
- Name three misconceptions about working with DeafBlind clients;
- Describe how hearing interpreters can work with a CDI, CoNavigator, and DeafBlind clients in various settings;
- Demonstrate using visual examples, how they will interpret for DB clients with varying degrees of vision loss.
10:30 – 11:00 am: Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Session 2
This proposal explores the ethical significance of interpretation services within healthcare organizations, emphasizing the vital role interpreters play in ensuring equitable, patient-centered care. While interpreters are fundamental in facilitating communication with limited English proficiency patients, providers, and other health-related specialists, including nurses, social workers, and chaplains, often require additional training for effective collaboration with interpreters. This gap in knowledge results in the underuse of interpretation services and, most of the time, frustration on the part of both providers and interpreters, affecting the quality of patient care. The current proposal emphasizes the importance of integrating the course on collaboration with interpreters into the curriculum for providers, health-related specialists, and medical students, helping them promote their interpreter collaboration skills. The proposed course will be focused on developing practical skills and helping providers and health-related specialists build essential hands-on exercises that simulate interpreted interactions. Emphasis will foster effective teamwork to ensure patient-provider communication is accurate, respectful, and culturally attuned.
The proposed model reimagines the role of the interpreters as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams beyond their role as just communication conduits. In many healthcare settings, interpreters are viewed as auxiliary services rather than integral parts of the care team. However, the inclusion of interpreters in pre-consultation discussions, providers can be better prepared to navigate cultural nuances that shape patients’ health beliefs and decision-making processes, especially for ethically sensitive cases. The proposed approach will help adopt culturally informed, holistic care while equipping providers with the required knowledge to address complex ethical consultations with greater sensitivity and insight.
Objectives:
- Discuss normative ethical significance of interpretation services;
- Design and reimagine Interpretation services;
- Apply strategies to integrate medical interpreters into multidisciplinary teams;
- Recognize the ecessity of training providers on collaborating with medical interpreters.
Translation alone is insufficient for effective health education materials among non-English speaking patients. Cultural barriers, including those related to diet, lifestyle, and health beliefs, can prevent patients from understanding and implementing health management strategies. Certain populations in the US have been impacted severely by these barriers; specifically, there is currently no ethnic group more affected by diabetes in the US than Hispanics. This presentation emphasizes the need for culturally tailored health education materials that align with patients’ traditions and lived experiences, empowering them to take charge of their well-being.
While the focus will be on diabetes education, the principles discussed are adaptable across various health conditions. By addressing both linguistic and cultural needs, healthcare providers can build trust, foster patient advocacy, and deliver equitable, patient-centered care. In this session, case studies and practical strategies will illustrate how culturally adapted resources enhance health outcomes.
Objectives:
- Recognize the critical role of culturally tailored health education in improving outcomes for non-English speaking patients;
- Identify key challenges non-English speaking patients face in accessing health education and healthcare services;
- Explore strategies and best practices to enhance communication and engagement with diverse cultural groups;
- Apply advocacy strategies for integrating cultural competence into health education programs to promote equitable care.
This workshop focuses on informal workplace and on-the-job learning strategies grounded in adult learning theories. Attendees will explore practical tools and resources to enhance their learning experiences and examine technology and communication tools that facilitate skill development. The session will highlight the importance of learning from on-the-job experiences and collaborating with clinical teams to foster a culture of continuous interprofessional learning. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for workplace learning, including methods to identify and seize learning opportunities in their interpreting practice.
Objectives:
- Participants will be able to recognize and leverage learning opportunities within their daily roles as medical interpreters;
- Attendees will identify and utilize practical technology tools and resources that enhance on-the-job learning for medical interpreters;
- Participants will develop strategies to learn from their on-the-job experiences, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within healthcare settings;
- Attendees will acquire strategies to foster ongoing professional development in their interpreting practice.
Medical interpreters play a critical role in bridging communication gaps and ensuring equitable care for diverse patient populations. However, many interpreters are unaware of the opportunities to transition into leadership roles, such as Language Access Manager, within healthcare organizations. This presentation provides a roadmap for interpreters aspiring to advance their careers while continuing to champion language access and health equity. Participants will explore the skills and competencies required for managerial roles, including program development, compliance with regulatory standards, budget management, and team leadership. Real-world examples and actionable strategies will illustrate how interpreters can leverage their experience, pursue professional development opportunities, and position themselves as leaders in healthcare language access programs. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to assess their readiness for leadership, identify growth areas, and create an actionable plan to navigate their career path from interpreter to manager. Whether you’re just beginning to consider a leadership role or actively planning your transition, this presentation offers practical insights to help you take the next step in your professional journey.
Objectives:
- List the key elements of a successful language access program in a health care institution in Massachusetts;
- Discuss the day-to-day and long-term responsibilities of Language Access Coordinators;
- Prepare a self-assessment;
- Develop an actionable career plan.
This presentation will explore the need to provide interpreter services to a group not usually included in language access plans: Healthcare Staff. Language Access plans are focused on the patients but frequently exclude staff needs, compromising patient safety. After all, an environment where all can communicate will be safe for all users. The basis for this discussion will be a case study of the work done at the University of Vermont Health Network, and it includes the challenges and the benefits of elaborating a plan that also incorporates our work teams.
Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be better able to:
- Apply the triadic approach to support healthcare staff;
- Illustrate and elaborate a language access plan for healthcare staff.;
- Employ strategies to advocate for communicative autonomy for healthcare staff;
- Recognize the challenges and the benefits of interpreter services to healthcare staff.
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch & Networking
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session 3
The role of a medical interpreter is multifaceted as we know, nevertheless while following the standards of practice as well as the code of ethics, the interpreter has to focus differently when interpreting to different specialties. While would it be relevant to mention that the patient seems to have trouble finding words to express him/herself in a neuropsych evaluation, for example, while it might not be as important to mention so, if the patient is seeing an eye doctor? How does an interpreter make the decision of what to focus on aspects that go beyond communication? This presentation will provide clarity through examples of real situations.
Objectives:
By the end of this presentation, attendees will be better able to:
- Identify situations in which to volunteer information and how to do it;
- Demonstrate how to enhance teamwork with the provider/ medical team;
- List techniques on how to increase your medical knowledge;
- Recognized your limitations.
People who speak no English benefit from working with interpreters when seeking health care in the US. For people who speak English a little or well, however, working with interpreters is more complex and may not always be beneficial. This is a blind spot for many interpreters, administrators, and educators. Interpreters need to use different strategies to achieve their goals when parties speak each other’s language but not very well.
Objectives:
- List at least 4 reasons why people who speak some English may not want to work with an interpreter;
- Describe the role of trust in interpreter-mediated communication;
- Create effective strategies for interpreters when there is partial language concordance;
- Formulate plan to prioritize medical interpreter’s goals.
This year, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) conducted the groundbreaking Global Workforce Survey of Healthcare Interpreters—the first of its kind aimed at gathering essential data on the working conditions and compensation of healthcare interpreters. This survey reached a diverse audience, including freelance professionals, hospital-based staff, remote and onsite interpreters, and those residing in the U.S. and abroad who serve patients and healthcare organizations based in the U.S. The preliminary results offer a unique glimpse into our profession.
Now that the survey has closed, we invite you to join us for an insightful session dedicated to analyzing the data and interpreting its impact on the profession. What insights have emerged? How will these findings enhance working conditions for healthcare interpreters and spearhead data-driven advocacy efforts?
During this dynamic presentation, we will delve into the survey results and engage in small group discussions to unpack key data points and brainstorm actionable strategies for implementing change. Each group will share their insights with the larger assembly, fostering collaborative dialogue that can lead to meaningful advancements within our field.
While participation in the survey has concluded, your engagement in this session is vital. Together, we can harness this invaluable data to drive systemic change, enhance transparency, and elevate the quality of care for patients facing communication barriers. Your voice matters—let’s shape the future together!
Objectives:
- Participants will critically examine the preliminary findings of the Global Workforce Survey, identifying key trends and insights related to the working conditions and compensation of healthcare interpreters;
- Attendees will engage in collaborative small group discussions to brainstorm and formulate actionable strategies for utilizing survey data to advocate for improved working conditions and compensation in the healthcare interpreting profession;
- Participants will explore how data-driven insights can be effectively communicated to stakeholders and decision-makers, empowering them to take informed actions that enhance transparency and elevate the quality of care for patients with communication barriers;
- Participants will assess the potential long-term impact of the Global Workforce Survey findings on the healthcare interpreting profession, identifying pathways for continuous improvement in working standards and professional recognition.
As medical interpreters, we focus on interpreting medical encounters on a daily basis, crisscrossing hospitals, clinical units, and campuses, therefore, rarely having time to reflect on certain interpreting experience, nursing our own emotions, etc., losing a wonderful opportunity to keep the gems, thoughts, and sparks of ideas and inspirations. While more interpreting opportunities perfect and hone interpreting skills, a thoughtful and methodical way to keep track of our thoughts and reflections, even in their crudest forms, can go a long way for interpreters’ professional growth in terms of skills, patient advocacy and potentially impacting a large audience in publications.
Objectives:
- Discuss and highlight the importance of keeping track of interpreting experience and emotions;
- Practice how to develop the habit of jotting down the thoughts, reflections, and emotions as they happen;
- Discuss how to share your experience and even frustrations with your colleagues and co-workers;
- Demonstrate how to expand and enrich your notes and writings for a wider audience and larger impacts.
2:00 – 2:30 pm: Break
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Endnote
Room: Main Ballroom
This keynote explores the transformative power of equitable language access, offering practical strategies and inspiring insights to empower interpreters, advocates, and practitioners in fostering inclusive communication. The session will highlight real-world examples and success stories, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and cultural humility in breaking barriers. Attendees will leave inspired to implement actionable solutions that create lasting change for underserved communities
Objectives:
- Recognize key distinctions in communication needs across Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled individuals to provide tailored interpreting services;
- Identify and challenge common misconceptions and biases in healthcare interpreting and develop approaches that center cultural and linguistic accessibility;
- Apply practical strategies for shifting focus to the patient’s perspective to foster trust and understanding in medical settings;
- Assess and reflect on personal beliefs or assumptions that may impact interpretations, enhancing impartiality and professionalism in healthcare interactions.
English 
Spanish