The language interpretation of medicine

As a certified medical interpreter at Logansport Memorial Hospital in Indiana, Mary Carmen Santella-Mercurio helps Spanish-speaking patients understand all aspects of their hospital visits.

Mary Carmen Santella-Mercurio is responsible for assisting Spanish language-speaking patients at

Logansport Memorial Hospital with nearly every aspect of their hospital stays, from initial consults and billing to sitting with patients during live surgeries and later in the recovery room.

But Santella-Mercurio’s not a medical doctor or a registered nurse. She’s a Spanish language certified medical interpreter.

“It’s a way of practicing medicine without the whole responsibility,” Santella-Mercurio said.

For nearly 11 years, Santella-Mercurio has been responsible for the language interpretation of everything the health care providers say to the patients. And because she sees some patients during multiple hospital visits, she says they often form a bond with her.

“You sort of build a relationship,” Santella-Mercurio said.

Santella-Mercurio told the Pharos-Tribune that she can help calm patients by helping them understand what’s happening, especially when they don’t have any other family members around during child births.

“They really calm down,” Santella-Mercurio said.

Asked about the most rewarding part of her job, Santella-Mercurio said it’s “when you see a patient that is happy.”

Yet although she may form bonds with patients and even help to make them happy, as a qualified medical interpreter she must remain detached, and yet still be aware of the patient’s feelings and pain.

It’s all part of a delicate balancing act that is the work of a certified medical language interpreter.

By Alex Dupont
Marketing Communications Specialist
Language Translation Inc.

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