On October 10, 2024, the Interpreter Services Department captivated an audience of Global Health students and residents with a dynamic academic half-day session at Harborview Medical Center. Dr. Duncan Reid set the tone with an engaging presentation emphasizing the critical role of cultural understanding in patient care. His signature style—featuring real-time polls and audience interaction—brought life to historical examples from the Marshall Islands and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, illustrating how cultural context can influence health outcomes.
Dr. Jean-Jacques Kayembe, Director of Program Operations for Interpreter Services, followed with a deeply personal account of his immigration journey. He highlighted the emotional and psychological challenges that immigrants face, including disruption, fear, trauma, and the often-lengthy path to self-reliance. Dr. Kayembe urged providers to ask patients about their support strategies, stressing the importance of advocacy, outreach, collaboration, education, and empowerment.
Next, Anab Abdullahi, Caseworker and Cultural Mediator for Somali-speaking patients, shared a compelling case study that illustrated her vital role in helping a young patient and caregiver navigate the health system. With a mix of compassion and humor, Anab underscored the importance of trust and relationship-building, noting how these elements can prevent major issues and ensure successful patient care.
Yvonne Simpson, Senior Director of Language Access and Cultural Advocacy, emphasized that language access is a fundamental social determinant of health. She offered practical advice for working with interpreters, including the importance of pre-session briefings, providing interpreters with relevant context, and always addressing the patient directly.
The morning concluded with a spirited presentation by James Sherrell, Program Coordinator at EthnoMed. James highlighted exciting new initiatives, including an upcoming podcast designed to serve both healthcare providers and community members. He also invited students and residents to explore EthnoMed’s Collaborative Opportunities, which aim to enhance care for refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities through meaningful, impactful projects.
