Training Team

Silvana Kirby

Silvana M. Kirby, CMI-Spanish, is the Director of the Medical Program (MIT) at Berkshire AHEC, Pittsfield MA. Her work has included designing specialized Medical Interpreter curricula in the areas of Health Systems, and Language Coaching. Help implement the Mental Health curricula. She has also served as Berkshire AHEC’s Lead Instructor for the Medical Interpreter’s Training program and has also collaborated in the development and implementation of the UMass Chan Medical School’s MassAHEC Network Medical Interpreter Training Program materials and curriculum. In addition to her work in the field of medical interpretation, Silvana has collaborated with local hospitals and private practices as a culture consultant and instructor. Silvana utilizes her community engagement and international business education to support diverse organizations and communities to achieve systemic change toward the elimination of health disparities.

Silvana Kirby was born in Colombia, South America, and moved to the United States with her parents in 1988. She grew up at Shawnee-on-Delaware and East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Silvana received her Bachelor’s in International Business from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with continuing education in Translation and Interpreting from Pittsburgh University and UMass, Amherst. Silvana is also a Nationally Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI- Spanish). She is a committed member of the IMIA and ATA, NETA, NCIHC, and CHIA.

Flavia Perry

Flavia Perry is a nationally certified Portuguese interpreter and medical interpreting training coordinator for Central Massachusetts. In her role as director of Interpreter Services and Training at the Center for Health Impact (CHI) in Worcester, MA, Flavia oversees interpretation operations and staff, coordinates conferences and other events, manages workforce development, and facilitates interpreter training programs.

The Center for Health Impact is a dynamic organization committed to advancing health equity through collaborative partnerships and innovative approaches. Their mission encompasses fostering access to quality healthcare and education, addressing health disparities, challenging structural racism, conducting community-centered research, and nurturing workforce development. Rooted in principles of social justice, they collaborate closely with stakeholders to cultivate sustainable systems, fortify leadership, and bolster team effectiveness, driving positive change towards a healthier and more equitable society. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Flavia bridges language barriers across healthcare, social services, and educational settings. Her commitment to equitable and effective communication is reflected in her dedication to ongoing professional development and community service.

Nina Scott – Lead Trainer/ Spanish Language Coach 

Nina Scott, MSHS, CMI-Spanish is the Director of Interpreter Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an instructor and language coach for the Massachusetts Medical Interpreting Training Course via Health Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School. She is also a member of the Forum on the Coordination of Interpreter Services (FOCIS). Previously, Nina served as an instructor for the Medical Interpreting Course at Boston University, as manager of Interpreter Services at McLean Hospital and as a board member of FOCIS, and worked as a medical interpreter at UMass Memorial Medical Center and Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston. Nina has a BA in International Cultures and Economics from Bentley College and a MS in Management in Human Services from the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Jairo Suarez – Spanish Language Coach 

Jairo Suarez is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English and with a working command of Portuguese. Jairo’s professional career began in Venezuela as a Training and Sales Manager for world giants Unilever and Procter & Gamble. Later he became an independent consultant and corporate trainer for numerous regional and multinational organizations in 16 countries in Latin America and the US.  Jairo has been nationally certified as a Healthcare Interpreter since 2013.  Jairo earned with honors a master’s degree in Professional Communications from Clark University in Worcester, MA.  He also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Jairo currently works about 90 hours per week as a language coach and as an interpreter for several institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital and Mass General Brigham Hospital. 

Leandro Porto – Portuguese Language Coach 

With 16 years of dedicated service as a Portuguese Medical Interpreter at Massachusetts General Hospital, Leandro brings a wealth of experience to the field. Prior to that, Leandro contributed his language skills at UMass Memorial Medical Center, establishing a solid foundation in healthcare communication. Beyond hospital settings, Leandro has taken on the role of a Portuguese language coach, specializing in training students to become medical interpreters. Leandro’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Northeastern University, complemented by certificates of Excellence in Medical Terminology I and II from Massachusetts General Hospital. He further honed his skills through specialized medical interpreting certificate programs at Cambridge College and Boston University.

Originally holding a Bachelor of Arts in Education from UniCeub in Brasilia-DF, Brazil, Leandro seamlessly bridges linguistic and cultural gaps in healthcare settings. Certified by the Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) with Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter, Leandro is proficient in both English and Portuguese. His commitment to facilitating clear, compassionate communication in healthcare underscores his passion for the crucial role of medical interpretation.

Chaineda Sterling – Haitian Creole Language Coach 

Chaineda is a Health Services Administration professional, trained medical and community interpreter.  Experienced Haitian Creole and French Translator and Language Coach, Chaineda is passionate about languages and learning. She is proud to play a small part in the commitment to facilitate language access for all and push forth the Haitian Creole language!