How interpretation brings compassion and clarity to health care

Health care can be overwhelming, confusing and complicated. And that’s if you’re speaking the same language as your health care provider.

“Trained medical interpretation is incredibly important in the health care setting,” said Cecilia Escobar-Ceballos, a senior medical interpreter at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. “Health care providers need to ensure non-English speaking patients understand the information, and the patient needs their care team to understand their desires. There are also instances where emotional and cultural aspects need to be accurately conveyed. That’s why we’re here.”

During college in Mexico City, Escobar-Ceballos pursued medical training to become a physician, but a history class took her a different direction.

“I knew I’d find a way to help people,” she said.

Following a move to Colorado and having her children, she realized how difficult medical interactions may have been had she not known English. She joined YVMC part time in 2019 in the admissions department and worked PRN, or as needed, in language services. She’s worked full-time as a medical interpreter for the last two years.

“We’re not clinical staff. We’re not providers or nurses. We’re there listening and communicating so there’s understanding by everyone involved,” said Escobar-Ceballos.

Medical interpreters go through a rigorous certification process, and commit to never omitting, adding or changing anything they hear or interpret. However, Escobar-Ceballos said at times, it’s important to put inflection into her voice.

“If a provider is saying something needs to happen, then I need to lean into that tone when I’m interpreting the information to the patient,” she said. “Conversely, if there’s emotion coming from the patient – fear, worry, confusion – I can emphasize that back to the provider in my voice.”

Miranda Salky, a certified nurse midwife with UCHealth Women’s Care Clinic, witnessed this first hand.

“During a visit, a patient was extremely tearful and upset. Ceci did such an incredible job relaying how the patient was feeling. She never once made the patient feel rushed,” said Salky. “Ceci was patient, kind and compassionate. She always asks clarifying questions and has such a good read on when a patient needs more clarification or a different explanation.”

It’s through a patient’s demeanor that Escobar-Ceballos knows she and the other medical interpreters make a difference.

“A patient who was pregnant and speaks Spanish arrived to the birth center and in-person interpretation was requested to best care for her,” said Escobar-Ceballos. “When I arrived, the nurses said, ‘You should have seen the patient’s face when we told her you were coming. She was so relieved.’ It happened that I’d worked with the patient during her prenatal appointments in the clinic. It was a wonderful full-circle moment to be there as she welcomed her child to the world.”

As the local community continues to diversify, both among its fulltime residents and those who visit, Escobar-Ceballos is proud to have a part in supporting patient care.

“When non-English speaking patients come to UCHealth, they know they will have access to interpretation in their native language,” she said, “That not only improves their experience and safety, but also contributes to improving their health.”