2024 in Review: End of the Year Message from CCHI Chair Vonessa Costa

Dear CCHI Community and Friends:

As we close this calendar year, we recognize the profound challenges that have shaped our world – political divides, economic uncertainties, and societal fears. Yet, through it all, you have stood resilient in your respective communities as beacons of hope, compassion, and justice.

Your work as healthcare interpreters is nothing short of heroic. Daily, you are the bridge that connects patients to life-saving care, the voice that brings clarity in moments of confusion, and the advocate for those who might otherwise be silenced. In times of uncertainty, your roles as language access champions and health equity catalysts have never been more vital.

This year may have tested your resolve, but it also showcased your strength. Every encounter you facilitated, every barrier you broke down, and every life you touched is a testament to your power. You are more than interpreters – you are agents of system transformation and guardians of dignity in healthcare.

As we move into a new calendar year, remember:

• You are needed now more than ever. Your work ensures that language access in healthcare remains a right for all, not just a privilege for some.
• You are part of something greater. In communities worldwide, healthcare interpreters are laying foundations for a future rooted in compassion, understanding, and equity.
• You have the strength to persevere. Today’s uncertainties will not last forever, but the legacy of your work will.

Take pride in your contributions, and let them strengthen your resolve. Celebrate your victories, big and small, and find moments of joy in the difference you make daily. As you care for others, remember to care for yourself, and to let others care for you. Rest, recharge, and reflect regularly on the extraordinary work you do.

Speaking of extraordinary, 2024 has been a momentous and historic year for CCHI. Some of its highlights included:

• The year-long celebration of the 15th anniversary of CCHI’s incorporation as a 501(c)6 nonprofit and its public debut as a national certifying body offering a valid, credible, and vendor-neutral certification program for healthcare interpreters in the United States.
• The 2nd National Healthcare Interpreter Certification Summit (April), themed “Setting the Course for the Next 15”. Click here for our Summit video playlist.
• The inaugural cycle of the EtoE scholarship (Spring), supporting interpreters in taking their CoreCHI certification to the next level with the performance-based CoreCHI-P credential, the most inclusive healthcare interpreter certification to date!
• The launch of the #EquityStartsLocally pledge campaign (July), challenging healthcare leaders, language companies, interpreter associations, and other stakeholder groups to strengthen language access infrastructure in the communities to which they provide service and invest in building community capacity for language justice.
• The “Practiquemos y Crezcamos Microconferencia” (September), a day of virtual learning for Spanish healthcare interpreters which offered a unique combination of expert perspectives from top leaders in the field and interactive skill-building sessions. Save the date for our next virtual learning event, “The Power of Practice” (2/22/25), open to interpreters of all languages!
• The convening of an Advisory Council (November) to develop the Global Workforce Survey of Healthcare Interpreters, the first of its kind designed to gather comprehensive data about healthcare interpreters’ qualifications, working conditions, and compensation. The survey will reach a wide audience, including freelance and staff interpreters, remote and onsite interpreters, sign and spoken language interpreters, as well as interpreters working both within the U.S. and internationally. The Commissioners see this as a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change by fostering greater transparency within our profession. Stay connected with the CCHI Community on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram or subscribe to the CCHI News Digest for announcements about the survey launch!

As we conclude our 15th anniversary year, we also celebrate a groundbreaking achievement  – the CoreCHI-P™ certification has been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)! This prestigious recognition affirms that the CoreCHI-P™ credential meets the rigorous NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs, reflecting modern standards of practice for the certification industry. The CoreCHI-P™ credential stands out as the only accredited monolingual performance certification for interpreters of all languages! This 7-year journey from concept to validation is a major step forward for healthcare interpreting and health equity. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the interpreters who participated in the trailblazing EtoE Study, past and current Commissioners for their vision and steadfast support, all of our certificants whose trust and commitment fuel our mission, and our Executive Director Natalya Mytareva, whose expertise and tireless dedication guided the application process to success!

Accreditation is not just about meeting standards; it’s about setting them. We look forward to many more milestones! You can help CCHI now by making a monetary gift to advance national certification. Thank you for being a part of the progressive and pioneering community that moves our mission forward.

The road ahead may not always be smooth, but you are not alone. You have a community of professionals who share your calling and stand with you in solidarity. Together, we will continue to create in our respective communities everywhere an environment where every person’s voice is heard, and every life is valued.

Thank you for your courage, dedication, and heart. Keep going – you are making a difference that will carry far beyond this moment.

Warmly, and with deep gratitude,

Vonessa Costa, CCHI Chair