The NCIHC will continue to host webinars and panel discussions about language access with the “NCIHC On the Road” series throughout 2024. These virtual events will join interpreters, advocates, patients, hospital administrators from risk management, compliance and patient experience, and other stakeholders for learning and discussion around building infrastructure in areas where public investment and oversight in language access is critical.
Webinar Description:
Leveraging EHR systems for language access reach and compliance
Many strategies are being developed to support and enhance language access in health care. Electronic health record (EHR) systems are one tool that healthcare organizations can leverage for this purpose.
EHR systems can be utilized to document patient and caregiver communication preferences; plan for and track the provision of language services, communication tools, and auxiliary aids; and monitor language access reach and compliance.
This panel discussion will provide examples of how some healthcare systems are utilizing EHR systems to enhance language access and how this has contributed to promote regulatory compliance, lower risk, and improve user experience.
About the Panelists:
Rosemary Ford
Rosemary Ford is System Director of Interpreter Services, a member of Covenant Health since 2010. A nationally certified Oral Transliterator and New Hampshire advanced-screened/licensed American Sign Language interpreter since 2010, Rosemary oversees the Interpreter Services Department at St. Joseph Hospital-Nashua, NH, St. Joseph Hospital-Bangor, ME and St. Mary's Hospital-Lewiston, ME. She has established and implemented best practices across Covenant Health and its 8 post-acute locations by creating policies/procedures and providing ongoing training on working with Limited English Proficient (LEP), Deaf/hard of hearing and individuals with disabilities. Rosemary has spearheaded the development of the Covenant Health Interpreter Services Department and has created a robust program that utilizes certified/qualified onsite interpreters, telephone and video remote interpreters, as well as professional translation services. In compliance with the ADA and Section 1557 of the ACA, an extensive array of auxiliary aids/services for individuals who are: D/deaf, hard of hearing, blind/low-vision or have a speech disability, are readily available throughout the hospitals. In addition to her role as a System Director, Rosemary leads St Joseph Hospital's Mobile Health Clinic's presence in the community to serve the marginalized and homeless, collaborating with the City of Nashua, local churches, social service agencies and our own parish nurses. Rosemary also works with SJH’s Business Health to support local businesses and corporations with their employee wellness initiatives.
Melina Kolbeck
Melina Kolbeck, Sr Director of Language Access Services for the Children's Health System of Dallas, has developed an effective system of on-demand services and documentation for language access for patients with limited English proficiency, families, and medical providers. Among other projects and innovations, she has also taken part in developing Children’s values for Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency. She has served as Co-Chair of their Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion Commission. Melina is the recipient of the individual Texas Star Award presented by the Texas Association for Healthcare Interpreters and Translators (TAHIT.)
She has a bachelor’s degree in communication science from ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico. She has 22 years of experience in the interpreter and translation field, bilingual consultant, and public speaking. She has focused her professional career on advocating and implementing healthcare-specific language access services to support LEP families, prioritizing patient safety and experience while adhering to regulatory requirements.
Andy Schwieter
Andy Schwieter leads the language access team at Cincinnati Children's, helping them systematically turn language barriers into opportunities. Andy has worked as a Spanish interpreter since 2006, was certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2013, and was certified by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters in 2015. He co-authored a paper published in Hospital Pediatrics on improving discharge instructions for hospitalized children with limited English proficiency. He currently serves on the board of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care.
Caleb White
Caleb White is a Software Developer at Epic. Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil as part of an American family with English and Portuguese spoken daily, his interest in languages and cultures started early. He earned a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in German from Wheaton College, IL (’11). Since then, Caleb has worked at Epic, beginning with the outpatient software, EpicCare Ambulatory, then working with Healthy Planet population health and interoperability to facilitate value-based care, and for the past five years with Epic’s Translation team facilitating the technical process to make Epic’s software available in different languages around the world. Caleb has also worked closely with health systems in Australia and Switzerland in launching their use of Epic software. More recently, Caleb leads a workgroup at Epic focused on improving Interpretation and Translation in the Patient Experience and sharing best practices in that space. Caleb also led the team to translate MyChart into Portuguese. Caleb is passionate about improving the experience of LEP patients through software solutions, expanding his own language and cultural knowledge, and teaching his kids to appreciate other languages and cultures.
About the Moderator:
Debbie Lesser
Debbie Lesser has been a certified sign language interpreter since 1999, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida State University and a master’s degree in healthcare interpreting from Rochester Institute of Technology. She also holds a certification as a Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (QMHI) and a Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CoreCHI). Debbie has extensive experience in both virtual and in person settings. She currently works as a medical interpreter and Director of Language Access Services for a large healthcare system in Atlanta, GA. In addition, Debbie is a Credentialed Supervision Leader with the Interpreting Institute for Reflection-in-Action & Supervision (IIRAS) and an Adjunct Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
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