Part 1: The Importance of Language Access in Healthcare with Carla Fogaren
In this first part of a series on language access in healthcare, Kerry interviews Carla Fogaren, a Principal Consultant and Registered Nurse. Carla shares the importance of language access in healthcare and the impact of Section 1557 on language access and disability. From a young age, Carla experienced interpreting for her family in a medical setting and highlights the high demand for qualified interpreters to ensure effective communication and patient understanding. She explains the requirements of Section 1557, including the designation of a coordinator, posting notices of discrimination, establishing policies, and providing auxiliary aids. Carla also discusses the challenges of compliance and the cultural considerations in language access.
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Timestamps
00:00 Meet Carla
01:28 Understanding Language Access
09:28 Overview of Section 1557
13:11 Requirements of Section 1557
17:57 Compliance Challenges and Accountability
21:12 The Role of Qualified Interpreters
23:30 Cultural Considerations in Language Access
24:55 Where To Learn More
About Carla
Carla is a visionary leader in the healthcare industry, known nationally for her pioneering work in medical interpreting, language access, and health disparities. As the System Director of Diversity Initiatives, Interpreter Services, and ADA/504 and Section 1557 Coordinator for Steward Health Care, she oversaw language access services for 42 hospitals and over 600 physician practices in 11 different states.
Carla's impressive career spans over three decades, beginning as a registered nurse in 1988. She was one of twelve individuals who helped to draft the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) Standards of Practice in 1995, a milestone achievement in the field of medical interpreting. Additionally, she was part of an advisory committee for the MA DPH that created the Best Practice Recommendations for hospital-based Interpreter Services in 2001.
Carla's specialized proficiency in conducting mock surveys and gap analyses, with a keen emphasis on Joint Commission and DNV Standards, has consistently steered numerous hospitals towards successful accreditation. Her extensive experience in this domain not only ensures compliance but also enhances operational efficiency and patient care standards. Furthermore, Carla is a distinguished national presenter on topics such as disabilities, diversity, and language access, contributing significantly to the advancement of inclusive healthcare practices nationwide.
In 2003, Carla founded the Forum of the Coordination of Interpreter Services (FOCIS) as a collaborative platform for hospital and clinic-based interpreter programs to share best practices and resources. Originally established as a Massachusetts-based group, FOCIS has since expanded to nationwide membership. She has served as President of FOCIS and President and Vice President of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC). Carla is also a founding member of Interpreting SAFE-AI Taskforce-Stakeholders- “Advocating for fair and Ethical AI in Interpreting.”
Carla's exceptional leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the Healthcare Hero award from the Boston Business Journal in 2015. She continues to be a highly sought-after national consultant on language access, health disparities, disabilities, and regulatory requirements for hospitals.
About Kerry
Kerry Perez leads the design and development of enterprise strategy in addition to overseeing Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Creative Services.
Ms. Perez joined AMN Healthcare in 2007 and has held various roles during her tenure, including recruitment, marketing, innovation, strategy, and M&A. She most recently served as the company’s Vice President of Enterprise Strategy. She also stood up AMN Healthcare's Diligence and Integration Management Office, which led the strategic and functional integration of new acquisitions to drive synergy. She was named among Staffing Industry Analyst’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2021, and she hosts the AMN Healthcare podcast, Elevate Care.
Ms. Perez maintains the guiding principles of being customer obsessed, thinking big and delivering results. She has a passion for mentoring emerging leaders and building effective teams.
Ms. Perez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of California at Santa Barbara. For more than four years, she has served on the board of Dallas-based nonprofit, CitySquare, which focuses on fighting the causes and effects of poverty.