Learning objectives

Attendees of this webinar will be able to:

1. Recognize when a situation is an ethical dilemma.

2. Predict potential consequences for differing responses to an ethical dilemma.

3. Defend a strategic response to an ethical dilemma using principles from an interpreter code of ethics.

#1 Ethical Dilemmas: Murphy’s Law’s Gift to Interpreters

Live session: Thursday, January 23, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
Presenter: Dr. Devin Gilbert

In popular culture, Murphy’s law refers to the idea that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. The world is seldom a tidy, predictable place, and this applies to the world of interpreting as well. Whether working in healthcare, the legal system, the education system, or elsewhere, interpreters are consistently faced with challenging situations that demand a responsible, professional response. These are ethical dilemmas.

This webinar will first present attendees with a review of varying examples of interpreter codes of ethics. Next, attendees will go over examples of ethical dilemmas that force interpreters to put these codes of ethics into practice. The bulk of the time spent in this webinar will be spent exploring authentic ethical dilemmas from dialogues on Terp (https://terp.app), and attendees, in real time, will mark how they would respond in an interactive survey. After recording how they would respond, attendees will predict the consequences of their decisions and defend their responses using principles from interpreter codes of ethics.

This webinar received approval for the following CEUs: 1 CCHI CE hour, 0.1 IMIA/NBCMI CEU, 1 ATA CEP, and 0.1 RID CEU. Note that you must have attended the live session to receive these credits.

About the presenter: Dr. Devin Gilbert is a translation/interpreting practitioner, educator, and researcher. He teaches Spanish Translation and Interpreting as an Assistant Professor at Utah Valley University’s (UVU) Department of Languages & Cultures. His research interests include translation/interpreting pedagogy, translation process research, and translation/interpreting technology. Devin enjoys developing software for the web and is constantly trying to expand his developer skillset. In 2022, he started developing Terp, a web-based interpreting training platform that seeks to make quality, authentic interpreting practice dialogues more accessible and interactive.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how cultural influences affect communication and patient care and learn strategies to bridge cultural gaps and ensure mutual understanding.

2. Explore the balance between neutrality and advocacy and address systemic barriers and complex terminologies that hinder effective patient advocacy. 3. Analyze real-world scenarios to understand common pitfalls in medical interpreting and learn techniques to prevent and address miscommunications due to cultural and linguistic differences.

4. Establish protocols for matching interpreters to patients' specific language variants and promote an environment that ensures open communication and addresses patients' needs and preferences.

#2 Advocacy and Cultural Awareness: When Culture Deviates from What We Know

Live session: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
Presenter: Jorge Mejia

Healthcare interpreters often encounter challenges due to cultural differences and language barriers. This presentation will explore the crucial roles of cultural awareness and patient advocacy in ensuring effective communication and equitable healthcare. Attendees will learn how to bridge cultural gaps, support patient rights, and enhance their skills in managing miscommunications. This webinar aims to empower interpreters to be more proactive and confident in their roles, ensuring better patient outcomes and fostering an environment of mutual understanding and respect. This presentation is designed for interpreters, trainers, healthcare providers, and administrators.

This webinar has been approved for the following CEUs: 1 CCHI CE hour, 0.1 IMIA/NBCMI CEU, 1 ATA CEP, and 0.1 RID CEU. Note that you must have attended the live session to receive these credits.

About the presenter: Jorge Mejia has recently assumed the role of Language Access Director at Ventura County Medical Center, where he is building a language access department from the ground up. With close to 20 years of experience in Healthcare Interpreting, including 8 years in leadership roles, Jorge brings extensive expertise in managing language access programs and addressing the unique needs of diverse patient populations. At Natividad, where he served for 9 years as a Healthcare Interpreter—spending half of that time as an Interpreter Services Supervisor—Jorge played a pivotal role in mentoring new interpreters, developing training programs, and advocating for equitable communication solutions for indigenous language speakers from Mexico. His work has consistently centered on fostering cultural sensitivity and delivering high-quality interpretation services in healthcare settings.

A Licensed Trainer for community interpreters, Jorge is a recognized speaker on best practices in healthcare interpreting and cultural awareness. He has delivered numerous presentations on topics such as trilingual healthcare interpreters and the advocacy of Indigenous language needs in healthcare. Residing in California's Central Coast, Jorge is deeply committed to bridging communication gaps in healthcare and championing inclusivity through solutions that are both culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand key communication models that can used by interpreters, and learn how they can improve your effectiveness when interpreting.

2. Recognize how context affects communication, including cultural differences, emotions, and surroundings, so you can better fulfill your scope of professional responsibility.

3. Practice flexible communication techniques to adapt your approach based on the needs of each situation, making your interpreting clearer, more empathetic, and patient-centered.

#3 Know the Context! Communication Models for Interpreters

Live session: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
Presenter: Lorena Castillo

In this workshop, participants will explore key communication models tailored to the interpreting profession, focusing on how context shapes message delivery and comprehension. We’ll explore models like the transactional and interactive frameworks, examining how these can be applied to real-world interpreting scenarios to enhance clarity, empathy, and fidelity.

Through practical examples, interpreters will gain insights into managing contextual variables—such as cultural dynamics, emotional tones, and environmental factors—that influence effective communication. This webinar equips interpreters with tools to develop flexibility and adapt their approach based on context, fostering more impactful and patient-centered interpreting encounters.

This webinar has been approved for the following CEUs: 1 CCHI CE hour, 0.1 IMIA/NBCMI CEU, 1 ATA CEP, and 0.1 RID CEU. Note that you must have attended the live session to receive these credits.

About the presenter: Lorena Castillo is a servant leader in the world of language services, blending her passion for communication with over 20 years of hands-on experience as a trilingual medical interpreter. Fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language—and skilled in Swahili and Italian—Lorena has dedicated her career to breaking down language barriers with empathy and transparency. As an Instructional Design Manager at AMN Healthcare, Lorena doesn’t just create training programs; she builds inclusive, value-driven learning experiences. Empowered by her belief in the power of kind, clear communication, Lorena Castillo is transforming how language services support healthcare’s mission of inclusivity, accessibility, and health equity.