Language Access Champions honored in Seattle by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

WASHINGTON - May 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Four seasoned healthcare professionals will each be recognized as 2013 Language Access Champions at the 7th Annual Membership Meeting of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC).  The purpose of this award is to honor a person, program, or organization whose work has contributed to improving the lives of all people through the promotion of language access in healthcare.  “We are delighted to be able to shine a light on these individuals whose efforts should be known to all,” said NCIHC President Joy Connell.  “Each one has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that everyone, regardless of ability to speak English, has access to services.  Each of these individuals is contributing to what makes sense, is fair, and is right in health care.”

Who:

•     Patricia Greene, Director of Patient and Family Services, Southern NH Medical Center

•     Maria Michalczyk, Branch Manager, Coram Healthcare

•     Victor Sosa, Language Access Coordinator, Natividad Medical Center

•     Milly Valverde Alva, Associate Director Language Services, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

What: Award Ceremony and Reception

Where:  Hyatt at Olive 8
         1635 8th Avenue
         Seattle, Washington 98101

When:  Friday, June 7 at 6:00 PM

The other nominees this year were Michelle Chillstrom, the University of Michigan Health System Interpreter Services, Southern Wisconsin Interpreting & Translation Services, John Oliviero, Graciela Zozaya, Moe Rustom, Estela McDonough, BJC Behavioral Health-Deaf Services, Language Access to Healthcare Program/Presence Mercy Medical Center, and Rosanna Balistreri.

“Although not selected as awardees this year,” Connell noted, “each person and organization nominated should be applauded for their individual efforts to eliminate barriers to health care.  If it were possible, we would give them all awards – they are definitely champions in their own right!”

The NCIHC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance language access in health care in the United States. The multidisciplinary group, founded in 1998, is composed of leaders from around the country who work as interpreters service coordinators, trainers and educators, language service providers, hospital administrators, healthcare interpreters, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and advocates.To learn more about NCIHC, or to register for the event, visit http://www.ncihc.org.