Dispatchers
Work Around
Power Outage

Four dispatchers and interpreter-dispatchers did not let the sudden lack of electrical power get in the way of providing interpreters for healthcare facilities, patients and other clients.

Angela Inirio, Sovun Chhom, Anh Marie Duong and Yurki Rosario were commended for their “can-do” attitude and exemplary action to keep the MAMI dispatch system operating without interruption on June 30, when National Grid shut down the power to the building during an electrical upgrade.

Lead dispatcher Angela offered to do dispatching from her home and invited the other dispatchers/interpreters to join her.

“From there, all four ran the dispatch system for the whole day, without skipping a beat,” noted Interim Executive Director Mary Stronach. She praised their professionalism and willingness to give “150 percent.”

MAMI 'Raves'
About Staff

Five people recently received MAMI Rave Certificates for doing outstanding work as interpreters or in the office. They are:

• Joshua Saw,
• Htoo Lay,
• Paw Pa,
• Jim Montanaro,
• Angela Inirio.
  

Certification Test
Offered by CCHI

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) is ready to begin offering -- for the first time -- national certification for medical interpreters.

The pilot test will be this fall. MAMI plans to have eligible interpreters ready to be registered by Aug. 10. To be eligible, an interpreter must be at least 18, have a year of experience, and have at least a high school diploma or GED.

Spanish interpreters need to take both written and oral exams. For other languages, interpreters can only take the written exam at this time. If interpreters pass the written and oral exams, they will be nationally certificated. Interpreters taking just the written exam can earn CCHI credentials.

Please contact MAMI Education Coordinator Sulien Miller about registering and preparing for the test.