LG Health provides safe, competent and cost-free language interpretation services to patients and family members who are considered Limited English Proficient through its Linguistic Employee Advancement Program (LEAP).
LEAP identifies, evaluates and trains bilingual employees to serve as interpreters when needed. To become a certified interpreter, each employee must complete a four-week program and pass an oral and written exam that is based on the national certification process.
In January, 13 LG Health employees graduated from the LEAP program, certified in Spanish or Vietnamese. The newly minted interpreters join a group of 76 LEAP interpreters already a part of the LG Health system, providing services in Cantonese, Vietnamese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Nepali, Bosnian and Pennsylvania Dutch.
Additionally, this year’s LEAP graduation ceremony recognized employees for exceptional work in linguistic and cultural competency. Jillian Pisani, CMI, was recognized for her leadership and teamwork as the lead trainer for the LEAP program. Angelica Montes, MD, was recognized for her pioneering efforts in the qualification of bilingual health care providers by taking the ALTA-CCLA assessment for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute team was recognized as outstanding service providers for exemplifying excellence in culturally and linguistically appropriate services to deaf, hard of hearing and limited English proficient patients and families.