CEUs:
CCHI, WA AOC, and ATA approved for 1 hour.
Free for OSTI members
$20 for non-OSTI members
This presentation is intended for any individual interested in the field of medical interpretation, as well as for new and/or seasoned interpreters working in other areas. During the first section of the presentation, in-house medical interpreter(s) and a supervisor from UC San Diego Health, the only academic health system in San Diego, California, will be sharing the ins and outs of interpreting in a U.S. hospital system and offering tips for success. The second section of the presentation will focus on oopsies and other unexpected situations experienced by UC San Diego Health’s in-house medical interpreters. They will explain how they managed to think on their toes during these oopsie moments to find the best immediate solutions.
About Presenters
Carla Alegre is the Interpreter Services Department Manager and a Spanish Medical Interpreter at UC San Diego Health.
Carla is a native of Peru, having been raised in Lima. She finished her high school studies and moved to the United States as a student. She learned English as a second language and earned her BA from Loyola University, Chicago. She then further her education by completing the professional certificate of Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English) from University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies. The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) also recognizes her as a Certified Healthcare Interpreter- Spanish. She has been providing language services since 2011 and her areas of expertise include medical, conference, community, legal, education, immigration, transcription, video and phone.
Carla became the Manager of Interpreter Services in February 2021. She is dedicated to assuring that the Interpreter Services Department is “seen and understood” as a key component to healthcare. As a proud leader, she believes in personal growth and has obtained her Green and Black Belt from the Lean Six Sigma Training. This year she was chosen by UCSDH to be part of the Health Leadership Academy. Carla reinforces a culture of continuous improvement, patient center care, and transparency. In her free time, Carla spends time learning Brazilian Portuguese, loves Latin dancing, is a huge soccer fan, and a chess player.
Romina Espinosa (Lima, Peru) is a Spanish<>English interpreter, translator, and creative writer based in San Diego, CA. She received a BA in International Studies from UC San Diego and an MA in Gender and Diversity Studies from the University of Oviedo in Spain. Ms. Espinosa has been offering her language services to direct clients and boutique language agencies since 2017. She also works as an in-house certified medical interpreter at UC San Diego Health. In her spare time, Romina (a five-time marathoner) enjoys nature runs, selecting fresh produce for a new recipe and painting with acrylics.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the model of in-house interpretation services provided at an American academic health system. Ex: Logistics, time management, problem solving, brain storming, effective communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence.
2. Identify strategies that are suitable and optimal in medical interpreting. Tips from UC San Diego Health interpreters and lived experience that have helped with successful interpreting sessions.
3. Apply the ethics of medical interpreting when facing encounters in which challenges come up and the interpreter has to think critically to make immediate decisions. There will be examples presented based on real stories. How would you apply some of the ethical principles (Impartiality, Confidentiality, Respect, Accuracy, Integrity, Cultural Response)?
