JOANA TUDELA
Running for Director of the NCIHC Board of Directors
I am nominating myself for the Director position on the NCIHC Board, driven by a passion for promoting equitable language access and over a decade of leadership in the field. As the founder, Senior Consultant, and Trainer at Culturizing Access, I have developed and implemented comprehensive language access programs, fostering inclusivity and improving communication for LEP communities. These initiatives have empowered healthcare organizations to comply with national standards such as CLAS and ACA, enhancing service delivery and patient outcomes. My professional experience spans healthcare, government, and non-profit sectors, where I’ve spearheaded stakeholder engagement, policy development, and strategic program management. As Strategic Language Lead at Lionbridge Technologies, I oversaw quality assurance processes for multilingual projects, ensuring cultural and linguistic accuracy. I have managed diverse teams and collaborated with stakeholders to create solutions tailored to community needs. This experience has given me a strong foundation in strategic leadership and operational oversight, skills crucial for serving as a Director on the NCIHC Board. I bring a unique perspective informed not only by my work directly with LEP populations and healthcare providers but also as a former LEP immigrant, provider, and translator/interpreter, including over 5 years of training translators and interpreters for healthcare and human services settings. This hands-on experience allows me to understand the challenges patients, language providers, and practitioners face in accessing and delivering services. I have consistently advocated for initiatives promoting equity, including training programs to enhance cultural competency and implementing bilingual staff proficiency testing systems. My work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that language is not a barrier to quality care. In addition to my professional expertise, I have served on various boards and committees, including the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Winston-Salem, NC, and the Board for ALPFA-NJ and United Latinas. These roles have strengthened my ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to an organization's strategic goals. They have also deepened my understanding of the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and addressing systemic barriers. I am seeking this position on the NCIHC Board to contribute my experience and skills to advancing the Council’s mission. I am particularly interested in collaborating on initiatives addressing emerging language access challenges and developing innovative strategies to support LEP communities by improving provider´s skills and knowledge. My goal is to help shape a long-term strategy that improves access and sets new standards for equity in interpreting. Thank you for considering my nomination. I am committed to dedicating my time and expertise to the NCIHC Board and look forward to contributing to the vital work of advancing language access in healthcare.
Click on the links below to view a recorded message from Joana Tudela or her resume.
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