Dear CCHI Community and Friends,
While drafting this message, it occurred to me that the concept of “end of year” carries diverse meanings for different people, depending on the context in which it is framed. Whether tied to the conclusion of a fiscal year, service or calendar year, or to a personal milestone, the end of a year can serve as a multifaceted juncture for reflection, closure, and anticipation.
On the corporate front, the end of a fiscal year marks a critical period – a time when the balance sheets tell a story of fiscal responsibility, success, and areas for improvement. For organizational decision-makers, “end of year” prompts a meticulous review of goals set, objectives met, and recalibration strategies for the future.
For many, the end of a service year or calendar year also signifies a collective pause – a moment to look back at the chapters written in the preceding twelve months, to engage in introspection, to assess achievements, challenges faced, and personal growth experienced. As the calendar turns, there is an inclination to embrace the symbolic freshness of a new beginning.
2023 has been a momentous and historic year for CCHI. Some of its highlights included:
As we conclude another year of impact for CCHI, we express profound gratitude for your unwavering dedication to closing gaps in access to healthcare for immigrant and Deaf and hard of hearing communities nationwide and to raising the public profile of our profession. Your individual roles as nationally certified healthcare interpreters (a cohort numbering more than 5,000 strong!), educators, language justice advocates, and language access program administrators are all pivotal in ensuring that every individual receives the high-quality care that they deserve, regardless of language proficiency.
Consider the impact you’ve personally made throughout the year – the moments of clarity you provided, the comfort you offered, the lives you touched – each encounter a testament to your competence and compassion. By periodically reflecting on these accomplishments, you not only celebrate your victories but also gain insights into your growth and potential areas for further development.
Now and in the future, let’s collectively embrace the power of goal setting. Define objectives that align with your professional aspirations, whether attaining a new credential, engaging in regular deliberate practice with a performance improvement goal, or deepening your knowledge in a specific area of our field. Break down these goals into achievable steps, turning them into a roadmap, or personal competence development plan that pushes you forward towards mastery.
CCHI is eager for 2024 – another historic year, this one marking the 15th anniversary of CCHI’s incorporation as a 501(c)6 nonprofit and its public debut as a national certifying body! The celebration will kick off on April 6th in Houston with the 2nd National Certification Summit “Setting the Course for the Next 15.” Join us as an attendee or presenter, and be determined to have a full share in continuing the celebration by promoting national healthcare interpreter certification throughout the year! Another way to celebrate CCHI is to make a contribution to advance national certification. Thank you for being a part of the progressive and pioneering community that moves our mission forward.
In essence, “end of year” is a versatile concept, weaving together threads of time, accomplishment, accountability, and aspiration. It’s a juncture that invites pause, reflection, and recalibration – whether in the broader context of a society, an organization steering through financial cycles, or an individual navigating the ebbs and flows of life.
Looking forward, let optimism be a guiding light. Together, let’s set ambitious yet attainable goals, knowing that our collective efforts contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare landscape. Now and in the years to come, may we continue to seek out renewed inspiration, abundant opportunities for growth, and fulfillment of the aspirational pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.
Warmly, and with deep gratitude,
Vonessa Costa, CCHI Chair
