July 8, 2002

Habla Español? MGHers learn new language, celebrate achievements

Recognizing the increasing diversity among its patients and employees, the hospital created a program to help break through the language barrier. The MGH Spanish for Health Care program is designed to teach employees who want to learn - and often need to learn - Spanish to improve the quality of their job performance. On June 18, more than 50 of the students from the program received certificates after completing two cycles of Spanish-related courses.

The program is sponsored through the Human Resources Department and Partners Corporate Training to help enhance employees' knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture. Course participants included many employees from different departments - including physicians, nurses, medical assistants, admitting staff and practice secretaries.

MGH employees participate in the Spanish for Health Care program.

"The course helps employees interact directly with patients and family members and helps break through the language barrier that our employees often face," says Stuart Gedal, senior training consultant. "When employees are able to speak Spanish, they can help calm and comfort family members. Being able to speak Spanish also can help by just being able to give simple directions in the hallway," says Gedal.

Special awards also were presented to Yi Zheng and Denise Whall-Strojwas, who each received a Taber Medical Dictionary in recognition of their perfect attendance during the 20-week course. The graduation celebration also included Latin food and music and brief remarks from Gedal and Marisa Krall, executive director of HablEspaña, the school that provides both the teachers and curriculum for the course.

Since it was instituted as a pilot program in 1999, more than 200 employees have been enrolled in the MGH Spanish for Health Care program. For more information about the next course, contact Gedal at (617) 724-3241.