IMIA Distinction in Medical Interpreter Education Awards

One of the most important and widely recognized functions IMIA fulfils for its members is the awarding of IMIA prizes and awards at our Annual International Conferences on Medical Interpreting. Being selected by a national and international jury to receive an IMIA prize or award signifies recognition of the 'best of the best' by one's peers around the globe. Please take this opportunity to nominate outstanding colleagues in the field for the IMIA prizes as recognition of their professionalism and to demonstrate their work and accomplishments in advocating for the profession and for the patients who require interpreters all over the world. Individuals are entitled to nominate one candidate per prize. All IMIA members and others are encouraged to submit nominations.

This award was established in 2010 and recognizes two individuals, one representing the international training and academic environment, and the other representing interpreter training and education in the US. "In many ways, interpreter trainers/educators are the gatekeepers of the profession, because it falls on them to instruct new interpreters in the appropriate practice of this profession, still growing and being established in many institutions. The IMIA Distinction in Medical Interpreter Education Awards will recognize individuals who have excelled in the capacity of guiding and shaping the next generation of medical interpreters", said Hank Dallman, Medical Interpreter Trainer at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. This award recognizes the need for outstanding interpreter educators as role models across the country and abroad, for improved medical interpreter education. The recipient will be an educator, instructor, or language coach, and the selection will be based on concrete examples of what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The IMIA Distinction in Education Awards have the goal of being inspirational, helping all explore the role standardization of education in the field of medical interpreting. It also promises to recognize latent talent and increase the sharing of innovative strategies that make a powerful impact on students. Recipients receive a complimentary registration to the IMIA International Conference in Medical Interpreting and a complimentary one year membership to the organization.

Submission Requirements:
a. A description of no less than 100 words with specific examples of why the nominee should win this award (nominee bio preferred but not required)
b. Contact information of nominee
c. Contact information of person making submission
e. All emailed to info@imiaweb.org

Deadline: April 30

Marianela Mañana
wins the
2010 IMIA Distinction in Education Award


Izabel Arocha with Marianela Mañana after receiving her award at the 2010 IMIA Conference.

Marianela Mañana , Interpreter Instructor at Durham Technical Community College, Durham, NC,  wins the 2010 IMIA Distinction in Education Award
 
Marianela is an innovative and effective teacher; a dedicated advisor; an efficient, creative, and visionary administrator and leader; a strong advocate for the profession, and an inspiring colleague makes her an excellent candidate for this prestigious award.  Marianela represents the best in interpreter education. She developed, implemented and perfected the Community Spanish Facilitator certificate that received the National Council of Instructional Administrators Award in the “Responding to Community Needs” category.  Marianela’s high standing in the community and professional organizations paired with her training and experience, has given her the insight and networking needed to start the only Medical Spanish Facilitator certificate program in the North Carolina Community College System and the entire state.  The Medical Spanish Facilitator Certificate is recognized by IMIA (International Medical Interpreters Association) as one of the training programs in North Carolina acceptable as proof of medical interpreter education for certification. Unique components of the certificate include: shadowing opportunities with professional medical interpreters at area hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other community agencies; sophisticated use of instructional and interpreting technology such as on line teaching, medical wikis, google docs, audacity; and the requirement of community research and presentations.
 
Students in her classes, which have a mix of Spanish- and English-speakers, are engaged and challenged.   Several graduating classes who still get together and support each other after graduation.  Another aspect of the certificate program is the stellar record of full employment of its graduates.  They are currently working or volunteering in the following agencies:  Duke University Medical Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lincoln Clinic, Durham County Health Department and Human Services among others.  To increase interpretation practice in real-life situations, Marianela has designed and lobbied for the installation of a computer interpretation lab.  It is going to be the second such lab in the entire region.  Under Marianela’s leadership, the Medical Spanish Certificate program has grown to become one of the healthiest, and most academically recognized and enriching areas within the Center for the Global Learner, the college, and the NC Community College System.