Hispanic Heritage Month Highlights Need for Medical Interpreters

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

According to the U.S. Census. Bureau there are more than 350,000 people in Kansas (13% of the total population) who identify as Hispanic. 

Many people who speak Spanish as their primary language encounter barriers in the health care system, often resulting in misdiagnosis, misinformation and uncertainty. A 2017 Kansas Health Institute study referenced by the Emporia Gazette, found indicators suggesting Hispanic people in Kansas are disproportionately impacted by racial and ethnic health disparities. 

Heartland Community Health Center, along with Panda Pediatrics, has dedicated Spanish Language Medical Interpreters on staff to ensure all patients have clear and open two-way communication between themselves and their health care providers.

Meet the Medical Interpreters at Panda Pediatrics

¡Buenas! My name is Emely Monsour and I am one of the Spanish Language Medical Interpreters at Heartland’s Panda Pediatrics location. It’s a true privilege to serve as a connecting piece between our Spanish-speaking patients and quality healthcare. Getting to help parents not only get their little ones insured, but also understand their health and how to improve it by explaining it in their native language is very gratifying to me. 

I am originally from Puerto Rico and delight in meeting fellow Boricuas when they bring their chiquitillos to receive care, even when we’ve just met it’s as if we were familia. My heart for the Spanish-speaking community keeps growing and feel so honored to be part of Heartland—an organization that welcomes all who need care.  

Hello! My name is Emily Amaro, and I am currently serving as a Spanish Language Medical Interpreter at our Panda Pediatrics location. I greatly enjoy my position and feel honored to serve in this role. I love being able to connect with our patients and help them in accessing quality care while also learning about their stories, lives, and families. 

Spanish is my second language, so I love that this position gives me the opportunity to use Spanish every day. I am proud that our organization offers interpreting services for our Spanish speaking patients, as it is essential in helping to remove barriers to care for them. I am happy to be a part of our dedicated and passionate interpreting team, and excited to continue finding new ways to serve our Spanish speaking community.

Conozca a las intérpretes médicas de Panda Pediatrics

¡Buenas! Mi nombre es Emely Monsour y soy una de las intérpretes médicas de español en Heartland @ Panda Pediatrics. Es un verdadero privilegio servir como pieza de conexión entre nuestros pacientes del habla español y la atención médica de calidad. Lograr ayudar a los padres no solo a asegurar a sus pequeños, sino también a entender su salud y cómo mejorarla, explicándola en su lengua materna es muy gratificante para mí. Soy originalmente de Puerto Rico y me encanta conocer a otros Boricuas cuando traen sus chiquitillos para recibir atención, aun siendo la primera vez que nos conocemos es como si fuéramos familia. Mi corazón por la comunidad del habla español sigue creciendo y me siento muy honrada de ser parte de Heartland—una organización que da la bienvenida a todos los que necesitan atención. 

¡Hola! Soy Emily Amaro, y actualmente estoy sirviendo como interprete médica en nuestro sitio de Panda Pediatrics. Me encanta mi posición y me siento muy honrada para servir en este rol. Me gusta conectar con nuestros pacientes y ayudarles en accediendo cuidado de calidad mientras aprendiendo de sus historias, vidas, y familias. El español es mi idioma segundo, entonces me encanta que esta posición me da la oportunidad para usar el español diariamente. Soy orgullosa que nuestra organización se ofrece servicios de intérpretes para nuestros pacientes hispanohablantes, porque es esencial en ayudando a quitarles barreras a cuidado. Me alegro ser parte de nuestro equipo de intérpretes dedicado y apasionado, y estoy entusiasmada para seguir encontrando maneras nuevas para servir la comunidad hispanohablante.