Insights on Training Medical Interpreters with Danny Serna and Miguel Juarez Vidales [EP 79]

In this insightful episode of Subject to Interpretation, host Maria Ceballos-Wallace sits down with Danny Serna and Miguel Juarez Vidales, two recent graduates of the De La Mora Institute's Train the Trainer Medical Track. They share their unique experiences and challenges in teaching medical interpreters, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the course structure and their teaching methods. Both Dani and Miguel reflect on their first classes, the importance of language diversity, and how community needs drive the demand for trained interpreters.

Curious about becoming a trainer yourself? The next Train the Trainer Workshop starts January 14, 2025. 

Apply now: https://de-la-mora-training.thinkific.com/courses/dmtt25-01-train-the-trainer-workshop

About the Guests:

Danny Serna is a Spanish Certified Medical Interpreter with more than 20 years of experience, and he currently serves as the Cultural Services Manager at Logansport Memorial Hospital in Logansport, Indiana. Before coming to LMH in 2020, Danny worked as a freelance medical interpreter in Madison, WI for entities such as The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Meriter Hospital, St Mary's Hospital, Dean Health Care systems to name a few. He was a staff medical interpreter at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and now resides in Logansport, IN. Danny earned his undergraduate degree in Spanish Language and Literature as well as French Language and Literature from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He obtained his Master’s in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Danny is passionate about language access for optimal patient care and about giving back to the professional field of interpreting.

Miguel Juarez Vidales is a National Certified Medical Interpreter with over 13 years of experience in language services. He holds a BA in Spanish from Boise State University and has worked in various fields, including education, medical interpreting, and interpreting for nonprofit organizations and state government agencies. Originally from Mexico, Miguel now resides in Nampa, Idaho. Currently, Miguel works full-time as a Program Specialist at the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, where he combines his interpreting skills with advocacy to advance language access. He is also an interpreter trainer and is actively involved in policy-making and local organizations that promote social justice and language access in Idaho. In his free time, Miguel mentors aspiring interpreters, providing guidance and support as they navigate the path to national certification. In addition to his training role, Miguel is a conference interpreter and the owner of Juárez Translations, a small company offering a variety of language services, providing high-quality interpretation and translation services across different sectors.