Albert Lea Medical Center took another step toward meeting the service needs of a rapidly growing non-English speaking population in the community.

Friday, January 18, 2002

Albert Lea Medical Center took another step toward meeting the service needs of a rapidly growing non-English speaking population in the community.

Glenna Kristy started working as a newly installed Cultural Services Coordinator last week.

&uot;The number of non-English speaking patients has been increasing as we have more and more newcomers in the county,&uot; Tonia M. Lauer, in the Hospital Administration said.

Kristy, fully capable in Spanish and English, will be in charge of assisting patients who have little command of English.

Patients can visit her office near the reception counter to get information about the hospital system, or Kristy can attend a consultation with them to interpret what the doctor explains.

Non-English speakers often bring their family member as an interpreter. &uot;Which is not always adequate,&uot; said Communication Director Patti Hareid, &uot;because medical terminology would be too complicated, or sometimes it is just not appropriate for somebody from the family to be an interpreter. Often times, they are children.&uot;

Kristy had worked as an instructor for a bilingual certified nursing class through Minnesota Workforce Development, Inc. She is currently taking a professional interpretation course at the University of Minnesota, Rochester.

&uot;I think it is important for the visitors to know that they have someone in the hospital they can count on,&uot; Kristy said.

The hospital launched a program called &uot;Bridging Culture&uot; in December of 2000. It involved adding signs and to hospital brochures in Spanish. The hospital called up local interpreters when needed.

Lauer expects the new coordinator to have an effect beyond the interpretation role.

&uot;We want to mirror the diversity in our community,&uot; Lauer said.

As the largest employer in the county, the hospital is actively adding newcomers to its workforce. The administration is also encouraging employees to learn foreign languages, and is planning to start a six-week Spanish program this year for 100 workers, according to Lauer.

Kristy would also contribute to the hospital’s efforts to reach out to the community.

There is a need to propagate among the Hispanic population the importance of preventive care, Kristy points out.

Having lived in Chile, the Dominican Republic and Mexico for about 15 years, Kristy knows not only their language but also their culture and minds.

&uot;Working in the public sector with people always brings me satisfaction,&uot; she said.