As we celebrate Interpreter Services Week, it’s impossible not to be struck by the profound impact interpreters have on every patient encounter. They do far more than translate words—they carry stories, cultures, and emotions, creating bridges between worlds. The comfort they provide to patients, the trust they foster between healthcare teams, and the clarity they bring in even the most complex situations are invaluable.
In our preparations for this week, we have been overwhelmed and touched by the outpouring of appreciation shared by providers and staff across Harborview Medical Center (HMC). We wanted to highlight some of the beautiful testimonials we received, underscoring different facets of the invaluable work done by our staff interpreters and Caseworker Cultural Mediators.
*Please note that some comments below have been edited for clarity and to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Building Trust and Personal Connections
One of the most essential aspects of an interpreter’s work is building trust and helping create strong, personal connections between healthcare teams and patients. Interpreters play a key role in making patients feel understood, respected, and cared for—laying the foundation for a positive healthcare experience.
“Each day, as I prepare for an upcoming clinic session, I can always tell how productive the day will be based on whether I have an in-person staff interpreter or not. Having an in-person interpreter enhances the communication tremendously and in doing so, (1) reduces misunderstandings and errors, (2) helps the flow and efficiency, so that we can cover more ground including preventive measures, and (3) boosts patients’ satisfaction and trust in us.”
— Genji Terasaki, Clinic Director, International Medicine Clinic, Harborview Medical Center (HMC)
“I would not be able to do my job without the excellent interpretation staff we have access to. With the assistance of an interpreter I am able to communicate kindness and welcome in a heart language in a setting that can be very foreign and intimidating. Recently I saw a patient who had been in and out of the Emergency Department several times in the last weeks, resulting in understandable anxiety. With my interpreter we were able to truly listen to his concerning symptoms and he left with a smile thanking us for our care. I am not sure we solved any medical problems that day, but we were able to make a deep personal connection, which is often more powerful than medicine.”
— David Hough, MD, International Medicine Clinic, Harborview Medical Center (HMC)
“It is difficult to pick just one time because there are so many instances when this is the case. However, one instance that comes to mind is in regard to all of the in-person interpreters who helped work with a young patient who was discharging home. Family training had to primarily occur virtually which is quite challenging when a patient is functioning very differently than they were prior to their admission. I most definitely credit our in-person interpreters for making that training and ultimate discharge home successful.”
— Kristen, Occupational Therapist, Inpatient Rehab, Harborview Medical Center
“Working with the on-site Spanish interpreter at Pioneer Square Clinic has been invaluable for connecting with the most vulnerable patients in our community. When patients have experienced trauma, have underlying serious mental illness, or are just unfamiliar with the US healthcare system, it is so important to have a consistent, familiar, and friendly face to greet them during visits and help navigate through a clinic visit.”
— Jared Klein, MD, Medical Director, HMC Downtown Programs
“Every time I work with a patient and a Harborview interpreter, the atmosphere in the room has a calmness that is palpable. The Harborview interpreters go above and beyond to treat patients with dignity and kindness, while doing an excellent job interpreting. I wish there were more Harborview staff interpreters so more patients could benefit from their expertise and commitment to the Harborview mission and have a positive experience at our clinic and with health care institutions in general.“
— Deborah Meisel, Nurse, After Care Clinic, Harborview Medical Center
“…the interpreter also offered meaningful insights about Deaf culture that allowed us to better appreciate our patient as a person and their needs from healthcare teams. This was particularly important when we were providing serious medical updates, creating complex care plans, and discussing their personal and health goals. Our interpreter colleague facilitated a space for us to create a trusted relationship with our patient, without which they would have experienced greater suffering and a shorter life with less attention to their most important values.“
— Michael A. Light, Palliative Care Social Worker, Harborview Medical Center
“I can’t choose just one. … A Spanish Caseworker Cultural Mediators (CCM) has helped our team with countless patients but the one that most recently comes to mind is a family that had immense grief over the loss of their loved one. The CCM provided support, interpretation, and wonderful care of this family throughout their time at HMC. A Vietnamese Interpreter helped with complex family dynamics of a young woman who came to HMC. The interpreter provided a warm and compassionate presence to both the patient and her family (who were many states away) and helped facilitate conversations as we navigated their profound grief and decision-making“
— Kira S, Palliative Care, Harborview Medical Center
Navigating Emotionally Complex Situations
Interpreting goes far beyond language. When it comes to navigating emotionally difficult conversations, particularly those involving serious diagnoses or mental health concerns, our interpreters are there to ensure patients and providers feel supported. Their ability to convey nuance, match tone, and offer key cultural insights is what makes such a difference during these moments.
“…interpreters without a doubt make our care and connections with our patients and their families better, but I want to emphasize how having in-person interpreters feels critical for rapport building. Difficult and/or emotional conversations are so much more impactful with in-person interpreters. When appropriate, I intentionally use humor with my patients, and I cannot express enough how meaningful it is to have Harborview’s in-person staff interpreters try to match my intonation. It makes such a difference! Thank you all!“
— Kristen, Occupational Therapist, Inpatient Rehab, Harborview Medical Center
“I’ve worked with a ton of interpreters over the years and the interpreters at Harborview are simply the best. Every interpreter at Harborview I have worked with has been skilled, professional, kind, respectful and compassionate. It takes a huge amount of skill to interpret in behavioral health appointments when the conversations are emotionally difficult, subtle, and complex. I have so much respect for the interpreters here.“
— Mana B., Behavioral Health Integration Program, Harborview Medical Center
“It’s hard to overstate the impact our HMC interpreters have on patient care. I can recall so many family meetings on the palliative care service when having an interpreter present allowed us to truly understand and address the real concerns families were having in such a difficult time. I’ve been witness to many situations where they alone have been the reason that we’ve been able to find common ground and true collaboration with patients and families. In clinic, they are instrumental in helping us communicate with patients who have not only language barriers, but often cognitive and communication impairments and many challenges navigating the health care system in the outpatient setting. Our interpreters often get to know individual patients across multiple visits and can provide incredibly helpful and insightful contextual information as well. I’m grateful every day for our HMC interpreters – they are outstanding!“
— Margaret Isaac – Adult Medicine Clinic and Palliative Care Service, Harborview Medical Center
“A staff interpreter helped me with a visit with a challenging patient. It was my first visit with them as they were transitioning from inpatient care to outpatient care. The interpreter had worked with the patient when they were inpatient and was able to help them bridge this transition. In our session the interpreter was calm, pleasant and very thorough and I was able to make progress building rapport with this patient in a way that would not have been possible without the in-person staff interpreter. Even the patient recognized that the interpreter was especially helpful and thanked her as well. We are lucky to have such skilled interpreters in the Harborview system, they are an essential part of delivering high quality care to our target population.“
— Nissa Freed ARNP Harborview Mental Health and Addictions Services
Advocating for Patients
Our interpreters often go the extra mile to advocate for patients, address unspoken needs, and help solve complex issues. They don’t just translate—they make sure that no one is left behind and that every patient is treated with the dignity they deserve.
“EVERY TIME I have utilized in person interpreter services for patient care it has resulted in better care for the patient and their family. The connection you can make with having an in-person interpreter is much stronger than other types of interpreter platforms. THEY. ARE. THE. BEST.“
— Nissa Freed ARNP, Harborview Mental Health and Addictions Services
“One of our staff interpreters helped us reunite a family! An unidentified patient had been admitted to the hospital and wasn’t able to speak. Everyone was trying to figure out who the admitted patient could be. … The staff interpreter helped out in my clinic visit with a distressed patient who couldn’t find their family member. This was the unidentified patient! Our staff interpreter helped solve the mystery. It was a beautiful moment to witness the family reuniting. Our Harborview staff interpreters are the BEST!“
— Alexandra M., Physician, International Medicine Clinic, Harborview Medical Center
“I sincerely appreciate the presence of our HMC interpreters as they are able to help us gain a new perspective of the patients and help us provide better person-centered care. My job responsibilities include the first opportunity for patients to be outside in the community after a traumatic event, and having an interpreter present to work through the emotional/behavioral perspective is vital. One of the staff Spanish interpreters I worked with is an incredible advocate for Recreational Therapy, and their passion and dedication to the patients do not go unnoticed…Their presence on the outings provides comfort for the patient and family members, especially because they have established rapport from being present with other therapies. We are incredibly fortunate to have their support!“
— Sofie Rodriguez, Recreational Therapist, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Harborview Medical Center
“… They ensured the patients’ concerns/needs were being heard and I was able to communicate the nursing aspect of education/care that was being given. .. I appreciate the in person interpreters, it gives patients comfort in expressing concerns along with interpreters being able to pick up on cultural cues to assist staff in asking questions and respecting boundaries.“
— Sharon, MN, RN, BSN, AACN ( Adult Medicine Clinic)/ Hypertension Nurse Educator
“Oh gosh! There are so many examples I don’t know where to start. EVERY day I have the opportunity to work with the in-person interpreters at HMC. Whether in a meeting where they advocate for their panel of patients or in a visit where they can help to explain concepts in ways that are culturally (in addition to language) appropriate.“
— Karen Conger Dietitian Adult Medicine and Endocrinology clinics, Harborview Medical Center
To Our Stupendous Interpreter Services Department Team
These testimonials speak to the immense impact you have on patient care at the Harborview Medical Center. Your work is not easy—it requires patience, empathy, and resilience. And yet, you show up every day with unwavering dedication to our patients. Your compassion transforms daunting medical experiences into moments of connection, understanding, and healing. Thank you for your tireless dedication. Every conversation you facilitate, every moment you ease for a patient or their family, and every barrier you break down makes our healthcare system more compassionate and inclusive. You are not just interpreters; you are healers, advocates, and voices for those who need it most. Thank you.