October 13, 2008

Almost 700 attendees participated either on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or all three days. The hotel was packed and we pretty much took over the beautiful venue. Our biggest complaint was that there were so many workshops and only one you could attend at a time! The positive grassroots energy was evident to all and our keynote speakers were magnificent, truly inspiring. The workshop speakers were quite informative.

For those that were not able to attend, please await as we are working for you. You will soon be able to see the 2008 presentations posted on our website, in the conference section.

You will also be able to see the video of our keynote speakers with their respective speeches coming soon on our website.

Key events included:

- Joseph Betancourt, Director, Disparities Solutions Center, on how interpreters bridge language disparities

- Dr. Peter Angood, VP Joint Commission, on how interpreters are key components on ensuring safe communication with patients

- Louis F. Provenzano, President and COO, Language Line Services, on how the time has come for interpreter certification

- Winston Wilkinson, Director of the HHS Office of Civil Rights, on how they investigate language access cases

-a presentation on five published standards, as part the IMIA Standards Campaign (IMIA is writing an IMIA Guide on Interpreter Standards),

- Speaking Together National Quality Measures

- IMIA Certification and our campaign 'Are you registered for certification?'

- Opening of the 2008 IMIA Elections process

- and much more!

ATA continuing education points - 10 points have been approved for this event

  

presents the

2008 International Conference on Medical Interpreting 

 Addressing Health Care Disparities by

Ensuring Language Access to All

October 10-12, 2008

Boston, Massachusetts

  Hyatt Regency at the Charles

 Keynote Speakers on Friday:

Peter B. Angood, MD FRCS(C) FACS FCCM, Vice President & Chief Patient Safety Officer of the Joint Commission & Co-Director of the Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety

Joseph R. Betancourt, MD, MPH, Director, The Disparities Solutions Center

Louis F. Provenzano, President and Chief Operating Officer of Language Line Services


Keynote Speaker on Saturday

Mr. Winston Wilkinson, National Director, HHS Office of Civil Rights


Friday Pre-Conference Workshops

Morning Pre-conference Workshop on Title VI (9am-12pm)

Bruce L. Adelson, Esq., CEO of Federal Compliance Consulting

&

Afternoon Pre-Conference Workshop on Informed Decisions about Translation (1-3pm)

Donald A. DePalma and Nataly Kelly

&

Cultural Presentation by Onye Onyemaechi

& 
Many presentations, focus groups, a Job Fair, book signings, reception, plenary panels and more...

 How can we promote more knowledge and understanding about how to ensure language access to all? In each presentation, plennary session, and working groups, we are hoping this theme will shine through.

What can I do as an interpreter to ensure language access for my clients?
What can I do as a healthcare provider?
How can I ensure language access given my resource constraints?
What are the requirements for my institution?
What role can interpreters play in ensuring language access?
What are the most important guidelines and regulations I must follow?
How do I know if I'm in compliance?
What are some best practices to ensure language access to all?

These are some of the questions we'll attempt to explore at this conference. Our desire is to bring different stakeholders to the table to discuss language access: providers, interpreters, trainers, language access and risk managers, company owners, etc.

We expect 700-800 attendees as this continues to be the largest conference anywhere that focuses on medical interpreting. As last year, we plan to have another job fair, networking meetings, and a diversity of activity options in addition to the highly attended educational workshops.

The overiding mission of the conference is to offer opportunities to develop the knowledge, wisdom, and practices of all through educational and cultural events and to promote participation in networking and leadership opportunities, to advance individuals, the profession, and improve quality in medical interpreting services.

ATA continuing education points have been approved. 10 points have been approved for The 2008 International Conference on Medical Interpreting"

You can be a part of this effort.


Click Here for the Program Booklet



Questions about the conference? EMail: IMIAConference2008@gmail.com