Patient Experience is Icing on Cupcake for Texas Interpreter

Over the past year, Ascension interpreters, translators, and independent partners have provided language services for 650,000 non-English speaking patients.

Interpreters like Abigail Gonzalez Medellin, a medical interpreter for Ascension Texas, play a crucial role in providing world-class healthcare to all.

Supporting patients and families

One of the perks of Abigail’s job is that she often gets to be the one to deliver good news. Her favorite days are when she works with labor and delivery patients.

“When you’re hearing Mom push and push, and then you hear that cry, that’s so amazing,” Abigail said.
On more challenging days, however, Abigail’s conversations with Spanish-speaking patients and families are about funeral planning, grief counseling and explaining “do not resuscitate” orders. These are the days that can truly test her ability to remain emotionally neutral.

“If you’re blubbering and crying and not holding yourself together, then you’re no use to them,” Abigail said. “They’re the ones going through the really hard stuff, so you have to be there for them.” But even at the worst times, she can still deliver moments of happiness.

Marking special occasions

One case that Abigail said will stay with her was an adolescent inpatient who had been receiving care for a degenerative condition for several months. Abigail got to know both the patient and mother well and frequently interpreted for the mother during weekly conferences regarding palliative care options. Abigail was also alongside the chaplain while the family prayed together.

The mother’s only wish was for her son to make it another month to his next birthday. He did and celebrated with two in-unit parties that included the whole care team. The patient also recovered enough to return home.

Abigail knew that the patient liked Spider-Man, so she baked Mexican chocolate cupcakes (to remind the patient’s mother of home) and topped each with the web-slinging superhero.

“If it brings them joy, then I’m happy,” Abigail said. “Whenever someone asks why I do this, I’ll think of that patient’s family and hope that I made as much of a difference in their life as they have in mine.”

Published: September 30th, 2024