Diving into memoir and policy busting, the 2nd Annual Language & Health Symposium drew scholars, interpreters, medical professionals and students to explore language justice, health equity and cultural competence. The event was both a celebration of the progress made toward multilingual care and a harsh reminder of the systemic barriers still faced by non-English speaking patients across the U.S.
Maria A. Nunez M., a clinical psychologist and medical interpreter, opened her session, “The Language of Resilience,” with a blend of professional expertise and deep vulnerability. Her message to the audience was straightforward: Advocate. Speak up. Be proactive. "You are the voice that your community is looking for," said Nunez, a Venezuelan immigrant. She went on to detail how interpreters must remain calm and in command while carrying the trauma of others. "We are not mere translators...we are expressive anchors. We do not just translate words. We translate pain."
Dr. Melissa Wallace, Professor of Translation and Interpreting Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, delivered a hard-hitting presentation titled “LGBTQ+ Forced Migrants and the Intersectional Failure of Language Access in U.S. Detention Centers.”
She guided attendees through the legal framework that previously ensured "meaningful access" to language services, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Executive Order (EO) 13166. Wallace explained that the official languages of the U.S. changed in 2017, when EO 13166 was rescinded, and that the changes mean that patients, asylum seekers, and LGBTQ+ migrants no longer have guaranteed access to interpreter services. "It's not just a breach of policy," she said, "it's institutional cruelty."
A faculty member at UHD, Shahnjayla K. Connors, Associate Professor of Health and Behavioral Science, said she found many of the presentations informative and helpful, and hopes to incorporate topics like how medical translation affects health into her courses.
Another powerful session focused on the fast-paced high stakes world of emergency medical interpreting. It's an often overlooked but critical role, as every second counts and nothing can be left out, even if the truth is hard for families to hear. This session, and the symposium as a whole, reminded attendees that interpreters are not just language bridges, but key players in life-or-death situations.