NCIHC's Podcast Station

NCIHC Committees and Work Groups

Listen and enjoy our podcasts that cover a variety of topics related to language access in healthcare!

  1. May 14

    Interpreting For Healthcare Episode 40 with Hans Verrept

    In this episode of Interpreting in Healthcare, we welcome Hans Verrept, a distinguished scholar in Germanic Philology and Social & Cultural Anthropology, and a long-time leader at Belgium’s Federal Public Service for Health. For more than two decades, Hans has directed the Intercultural Mediation and Diversity Management unit, overseeing Belgium’s national programme for intercultural mediation in healthcare. He has contributed as a consultant to the EU Council of Europe and the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe. Join us as we dig into his rich experience with migration, health, and culture: his anthropological research into healthcare access for the Moroccan community in Belgium, his practical work designing intercultural mediation frameworks in clinical settings, and his thoughts on what effective language access and cultural mediation really mean in today’s healthcare environment. Whether you’re an interpreter, a language access manager, a healthcare provider, or simply passionate about equitable communication in care, you’ll walk away with new perspectives on how linguistics, culture, policy, and human connection intersect in the health-care space. Tune in to gain key take-aways on: How cultural mediation differs from standard interpreting and why it matters.Real-world examples of mediation in multilingual healthcare settings.The evolving role of interpreters, mediators, and language professionals in shifting healthcare landscapes.Listen and subscribe on the NCIHC platform or YouTube channel. Don’t miss this insightful conversation that bridges academia, policy, and hands-on mediation work.

    43 min
  2. Mar 12

    Interpreting For Healthcare Episode 39 with Manuel Higginbotham

    This month’s episode of the Interpreting in Healthcare podcast, sponsored by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC), welcomes a powerhouse of language access expertise—namely, Manuel Higginbotham — LBBP, CHI™-Spanish. Manuel brings 27+ years of frontline experience in language access, working passionately to improve care for Limited English Proficient individuals. From training interpreters and crafting language‐access programs for more than 140 hospitals, to leading interpreter teams (including the first program with 100% dually nationally certified staff), Manuel’s career spans consulting, ownership of a language services company, and leadership in healthcare for large hospital systems. He currently directs the Language Access Services Department at the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. His languages? Spanish, English and Portuguese. In this episode, you’ll hear: Manuel’s journey into healthcare language access and what drove him to lead.Inside stories of building new alliances and creating equity in access across communities.A peek into how top-tier hospitals approach language access and the strategies that make a real difference—like hosting your own conference on the medical center’s campus when budget constraints don’t allow you to pay for staff to attend professional events.A forward-looking take on where our profession is headed—and how YOU can stay ahead.Whether you’re an interpreter, trainer, program manager, or advocate for language equity, this conversation is packed with actionable insight and inspiration. Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts and don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the most influential voices in our field.

    29 min
  3. 02/04/2025

    Interpreting for Healthcare Episode 33 with Holly Silvestri

    Get ready for an insightful conversation between two of the industry's thought leaders: Holly Silvestri and Eliana Lobo!  What’s on the Agenda? Shared Journeys and Parallel Paths: From interpreting in a variety of multilingual environments to establishing successful language access businesses Holly and Eliana have remarkably similar journeys. Both have also played pivotal roles in professional organizations—Holly as a co-founder of AAITE and Eliana as the President of NCIHC—demonstrating their deep commitment to the field. Training and Nurturing the Next Generation: Passionate about the future of interpreting, both Holly and Eliana are committed to delivering top-tier education and training to aspiring interpreters, ensuring the highest standards in the industry.Trailblazing Thought Leadership: As influential figures in professional circles, Holly and Eliana don’t just participate—they lead. Eliana was part of the founding Spark group, which gave rise to the Safe AI Task Force, Holly now spearheads its publicity, marketing, and outreach efforts, showcasing their dedication to evolving our industry responsibly.Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from two experts who have dedicated their careers to breaking down language barriers and elevating interpretation standards. Whether you're an interpreter, a language enthusiast, or simply curious about the industry, this episode promises to be chock full of valuable perspectives and inspiration!

    26 min

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Listen and enjoy our podcasts that cover a variety of topics related to language access in healthcare!