Medical Interpreter Services

Interested in being a medical interpreter?

Learn more about interpreter certification

Our vision is to be a leader in dismantling racism in ourselves, in our system and in our community. Learn more about UW Health's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

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A medical provider and an interpreter communicating with a patient in a hospital room

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Providing language services to Limited English-Proficient and/or Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Patients and Families

Language and interpreter services

 Alan S. Kaplan, MD, UW Health Chief Executive Officer, and Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, VP, Chief Diversity Officer, share UW Health's vision for being a leader in the community through its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, UW Health Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, on our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive environment.

Voluntary, employee-led employee resource groups (ERGs) foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with our vision and goals. These groups focus on the experiences and perspectives of our employees who identify as Black/African/African American, Latinx, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Women in leadership and Military service members. ERGs provide safe opportunities for employees to network, pursue professional and personal development and improve cultural understanding.

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UW Health in Wisconsin is proud to be designated a “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the 2022 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The HEI is created by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, one of the nation’s largest nonprofits committed to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, allies and institutions. Three UW Health Hospitals in Madison, Wis. — University Hospital, American Family Children's Hospital and East Madison Hospital — all earned the coveted “Leader” designation. Our Gender Services Program is a key part of our comprehensive commitment to exceptional and affirming care.

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Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index

Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality designation

Because good communication is essential to high-quality, compassionate health care, UW Health offers a variety of language services to assist patients and families who are Limited English-Proficient and/or Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing at no cost.

Meet Rodolfo, one of our medical interpreters

At UW Health, we want our Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs to reflect the communities we serve. That’s why we make diversity, equity and inclusion top priorities. We’ve worked closely with residents, fellows, faculty and staff to develop best practices and trainings to ensure that our work, study, research and health care environments are welcoming and supportive to everyone. 

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Our Community Relations, Population Health and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Departments partner with community organizations to dismantle racism, address health disparities and support the work being done within our communities.

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Leading with trust and equity in our giving philosophy

UW Health believes all people deserve access to quality health. However, research suggests that non-clinical factors such as physical environment, social and economic factors and health behaviors impact patient outcomes more than the clinical care they receive. In order to truly improve the health of our patients and communities, DEI works with our population health and community relations partners to build programs and services to address systemic and structural inequities. 

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Addressing the social determinants of health

As part of the Healthy Dane Collaborative, UW Health recently assessed the health of the community through the lens of health inequities that can be linked to social, economic or environmental factors. Through this effort, UW Health heard community members voice a desire for equal opportunity, resources and respect and culturally responsive care, among other themes. We are actively and intentionally working to address longstanding health inequities through internal and external initiatives. 

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Jampa Gagyanpontsang receives his COVID-19 vaccination shot from UW Health's Sarah Turlan while UW Health Chief Executive Officer looks on during a visit to UW Health's Arboretum Clinic Thursday, April 8, 2021.

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As an Accountable Care Organization, UW Health and its partners are committed to putting you at the center of care, keeping you informed and honoring your choices, customs and beliefs. We work to better coordinate your care whether you are in the primary care office, seeing a specialist, admitted to the hospital or at home.

A physician of color talking with a patient

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UW Health supports transgender, gender expansive and non-binary patients by not only providing top-notch medical and surgical services, but also by partnering with associations and community partners to ensure each patient’s journey balances the physical, psychological and emotional needs to live a happy and full life.  

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Our vision is to be a leader in actively dismantling racism in ourselves, in our system and in our community.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

UW Health recently identified and investigated a security incident regarding select patients’ information.

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Donations to UW Health are managed by the University of Wisconsin Foundation, a publicly supported charitable organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Language Access and Interpreter Services

How to access interpreter services

Contact us

Interested in being a medical interpreter?

Learn more about interpreter certification

Our commitment to equity