DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Maria Cano Martinez newspaper clippings and interpreter position documentation, 1978-1997 | 1990-09-28 Daily Iowan Article: ""Hospital translating staff aids non-English speakers"" by Risa Grudena

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Maria Cano Martinez newspaper clippings and interpreter position documentation, 1978-1997

1990-09-28 Daily Iowan Article: ""Hospital translating staff aids non-English speakers"" by Risa Grudena

The Daily Iowan-Friday, September 28,1990
Hospital translating staff aids non-English speakers
Spanish, Asian languages in demand
By Risa Grudene
Special to The Daily Iowan
What happens if you become ill or get into an accident and you don't speak English? How would you communicate your problem with a hospital staff member in Iowa City?
The UI Hospitals and Clinics have answered the problem of non-English speaking patients by enlisting a battalion of about 100 translator and interpreters who cover a range of 30 different languages.
Mario Cano-Martinez founded the hospitals' interpreter program in 1975. At the time there was an influx of Mexican migrant workers to Eastern Iowa, and the need for health care soon became apparent. Many of the migrant workers didn't speak  English, so Cano-Martinez began translating for them.
Since then, the need has arisen for other bilingual interpreters, such as those who know Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai and even sign language. Thus, in 1987, training programs were started to train bilingual interpreters in the technical medical vocabularies of each language, the ethical issues of working in a hospital and the cross-cultural health care.
Greg Jensen, associate director of the hospital's Department of Social Services, said there were 1,270 non-English speaking patients requesting translator services between July 1989 and June 1990. He said the majority of the patients, or about 800, were Spanish-speaking, but that American Sign Language and Southeast Asian Languages are also frequently requested. 
"Ninety-six percent of the time, these language needs are met," Jensen said. 
But Ozzie Diaz-Duque, an assistant professor in the UI Department of Spanish and Portuguese, as well as a medical interpreter and translator in Spanish and ASL at the hospitals, said the program still needs more people.
"It's on a free-lance basis," he said. "Many patients don't call and request our services until the last minute, so everyone might be busy already."
Interpreter/translator positions, which are currently held by faculty, staff, students and community members, are open to anyone who is fully bilingual and interested in health care. Training is provided by the hospital, and positions include translating for patients and aiding in the development of educational bilingual health programs. 
Kathy Decker, who works in the UI cooperative education office, said academic credit is available for undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the language bank.
"To me this is a service needed here at home, and it is also a cross-cultural experience," Decker said.
This cross-cultural experience includes dealing with patients and their culture shock.
"Many migrants have never had health care before and have never been in a hospital this size," said Diaz-Duque. The experience can be intimidating, and patients' lack of English skills can increase their fear.
The hospital also offers two training work-shops every year on the role of the interpreters in health care. One of these workshops, focusing on gynecology/obstetrics and newborn nursury care, is schedualed for Nov. 3. It is scheduled to be an interdisciplinary panel including physicians, nurses, interpreters and social workers.
The hospital is presently looking for Vietnamese and Madarian Chinese interpreters.

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The Daily Iowan-Friday, September 28,1990 Hospital translating staff aids non-English speakers Spanish, Asian languages in demand By Risa Grudene Special to The Daily Iowan What happens if you become ill or get into an accident and you don't speak English? How would you communicate your problem with a hospital staff member in Iowa City? The UI Hospitals and Clinics have answered the problem of non-English speaking patients by enlisting a battalion of about 100 translator and interpreters who cover a range of 30 different languages. Mario Cano-Martinez founded the hospitals' interpreter program in 1975. At the time there was an influx of Mexican migrant workers to Eastern Iowa, and the need for health care soon became apparent. Many of the migrant workers didn't speak English, so Cano-Martinez began translating for them. Since then, the need has arisen for other bilingual interpreters, such as those who know Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai and even sign language. Thus, in 1987, training programs were started to train bilingual interpreters in the technical medical vocabularies of each language, the ethical issues of working in a hospital and the cross-cultural health care. Greg Jensen, associate director of the hospital's Department of Social Services, said there were 1,270 non-English speaking patients requesting translator services between July 1989 and June 1990. He said the majority of the patients, or about 800, were Spanish-speaking, but that American Sign Language and Southeast Asian Languages are also frequently requested. "Ninety-six percent of the time, these language needs are met," Jensen said. But Ozzie Diaz-Duque, an assistant professor in the UI Department of Spanish and Portuguese, as well as a medical interpreter and translator in Spanish and ASL at the hospitals, said the program still needs more people. "It's on a free-lance basis," he said. "Many patients don't call and request our services until the last minute, so everyone might be busy already." Interpreter/translator positions, which are currently held by faculty, staff, students and community members, are open to anyone who is fully bilingual and interested in health care. Training is provided by the hospital, and positions include translating for patients and aiding in the development of educational bilingual health programs. Kathy Decker, who works in the UI cooperative education office, said academic credit is available for undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the language bank. "To me this is a service needed here at home, and it is also a cross-cultural experience," Decker said. This cross-cultural experience includes dealing with patients and their culture shock. "Many migrants have never had health care before and have never been in a hospital this size," said Diaz-Duque. The experience can be intimidating, and patients' lack of English skills can increase their fear. The hospital also offers two training work-shops every year on the role of the interpreters in health care. One of these workshops, focusing on gynecology/obstetrics and newborn nursury care, is schedualed for Nov. 3. It is scheduled to be an interdisciplinary panel including physicians, nurses, interpreters and social workers. The hospital is presently looking for Vietnamese and Madarian Chinese interpreters.