Congratulations Christa! Christa Moran has accepted the position of Lead Interpreter for the Sign Language group (and one or two other language groups that have not yet been determined). We are thrilled to have Christa take on this leadership position.

Christa Moran, NIC, M.Ed, is a full time medical interpreter and has been on staff at the University of Michigan Hospital since 2006. She has a BA from the University of Michigan, a post baccalaureate degree in education from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master's Degree in Special Education/Deaf Education Certification from the University of Minnesota. She was a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Minnesota before moving back home to Michigan.

She completed her interpreter training at Lansing Community College. Prior to joining the UMHS Interpreter Services Program, she completed a one-year internship with a hospital staff interpreter. She travels all over the country taking workshops and classes specifically in the areas of medical interpreting, domestic violence/sexual assault, and advocacy. She has also trained extensively in the use of medical classifiers with Nigel Howard, CDI. She has been published in the RID Views and, with her colleague Andi Chumley, has developed and now teaches a 15-hour training course called "Foundations of Medical Interpreting". Christa also played a pivotal role in bringing videophones to UMHS deaf patients. By adding videophones, UMHS became the first in the nation to implement bedside Sorenson VP's for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and second in the nation for public access when they were added to the lobby areas.

Christa sits on the University of Michigan Disability Council where she represents UMHS. Through training and advocacy she strives to improve services and access to UMHS Deaf/HOH patients and their families.

Please join me in congratulating Andrea Deranian! Andrea was recently hired as a UMHS staff ASL Interpreter.

 

Our own Andi Chumley has been elected to the Michigan Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf! Congratulations Andi!

The Michigan Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (MiRID) is the state chapter of the national organization Registry for the Deaf (RID). Andi, who was also elected secretary of the board, will serve a two-year term beginning this fall.

Practice your interpreting skills, improve your listening comprehension, or work on a new language with Speechpool. Created by Sophie Llewellyn Smith, an Interpreter in England, with creative input from Matthew Perret and Andrew Gillies, Speechpool is a website that allows users to watch videoclips of speeches suitable for interpreting practice and to upload their own material to share.

Speechpool is intended as a place where interpreting students, graduates, and practicing interpreters can pool their knowledge and expertise and give each other a helping hand. 

Click here to learn more about Speechpool.

Are you looking for a new project in which you can participate, promote the medical interpreting profession, and be compensated for it? Here's your opportunity - become a Language Coach!!

If you have been interpreting for at least 3 years, have taken Bridging The Gap, and Medical Terminology and Body Systems, or any equivalent classes, you could qualify to help newly hired interpreters learn the tricks of the trade.

You would receive training and an orientation to become a Language Coach, and would be compensated for your time. Interested? Please submit a letter of intent that includes your work experience and professional education course work, along with the reason you would like to participate, to Paz Paz Ang�lica Snyder by 5:00pm on Friday, May 10th.