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.

With 15+ years in healthcare interpreting, translation, and program development, Dr. Nosamiefan brings a rare cross-sector perspective that spans language access, emerging technologies, policy, and on-the-ground interpreter operations. He’s now leading the charge to establish the first PhD program in Medical Interpreting, aimed at boosting academic research, leadership, and policy in our field — and elevating interpreting to new heights of professional and scholarly recognition.

Tune in to discover:
🔹 The intersection of technology + language access: What’s next, and what must we guard against?
🔹 What a doctoral-level program in Medical Interpreting could mean for the future of our profession and for equitable care
🔹 Real-world stories: the successes, challenges and innovations in language access from someone who sees it from both caregiver & interpreter-program perspectives

Whether you’re a healthcare interpreter, program manager, language-access advocate, or simply passionate about equitable communication in care — this episode is for you.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or visit ncihc.org/podcasts to catch up and share with your network!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ana Soler, Co-Chair of the National Association of Educational Translators and Interpreters of Spoken Languages (NAETISL) and Founder of SeSo, Inc. In this episode, Ana speaks with Eliana Lobo, President of NCIHC and Chair of the Standards and Training Committee, about the vital intersection between education and healthcare interpreting.

Ana shares insights from her groundbreaking work in interpreter education and certification, including the development of national training programs for interpreters in schools and her leadership in creating a research-based certification for interpreters in education. Together, Eliana and Ana explore how collaboration across sectors can strengthen language access and ensure that multilingual students and families receive equitable support.

Tune in to hear about Ana’s journey—from her roots in social work and public health to her doctoral research in special education—and how her vision continues to shape the future of interpreting in both healthcare and educational settings.

"Interpreting in Healthcare", the official podcast of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC), hosted by Eliana Lobo, is back with another inspiring interview!

This episode features Anita Coelho Diabate, a nationally certified medical and behavioral health interpreter with nearly 20 years of experience. Anita shares her powerful journey working in a cutting-edge call center at Cambridge Health Alliance, and what it meant to achieve her national certification later in her career — a story that will resonate with many seasoned interpreters still considering taking that step.

Tune in for:
🔹 Real talk about certification: why it matters, and why it’s never too late
🔹 Behind-the-scenes of remote interpreting in a clinical setting
🔹 Tips for interpreter professionalism and collaboration with providers
🔹 Insights from Anita’s years as a national trainer and advocate

A must-listen for interpreters, trainers, and anyone working in language access.

NCIHC proudly supports national certification for all healthcare interpreters. Let Anita’s journey empower yours.

Available now on your favorite podcast platform or visit ncihc.org/podcast.

"Interpreting in Healthcare" – the official podcast of NCIHC – is back with a thought-provoking conversation you won’t want to miss!

Join host Eliana Lobo, President of NCIHC and veteran trainer of healthcare interpreters, as she interviews Susana Bernardo of the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Susana is a seasoned translator with 25+ years of experience and a PhD researcher in Translation Studies. She shares insights from her recent fieldwork in the U.S., discusses her passion for specialized translation in healthcare and technology, and reflects on how interpreter training and research intersect across borders.

Tune in to hear:
🔹 What translation scholarship in Portugal can teach us
🔹 How academic and real-world translation practice inform each other, and how we need to continue to partner and form alliances in the language access world
🔹 Her perspectives on interpreter training, education, and international collaboration

Listen now and enjoy!

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!

And just like that—Two seasoned interpreters turned trainers and business owners finally meet to exchange insights on the future of the interpreting profession, the importance of continuing education, and the growing impact of AI on the industry! Join Catalina Natalini and Eliana Lobo as they explore how to navigate AI's inevitable integration into interpreting. They discuss the importance of raising critical questions about emotional intelligence and the current limitations of AI in delivering nuanced communication. Discover where AI might actually enhance the field—allowing interpreters to focus on complex situations like End-of-Life care, Emergency Room scenarios, delivering difficult news, and other instances requiring culturally sensitive communication. Curious to hear more? Tune in and form your own opinion!