Connecting Care, Closing Gaps
April 17-19, 2026│ Virtual Summit
The 2026 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters will be an action-packed, virtual summit where interpreters can earn up to 1.6 CEUs. Sessions range from interactive presentations to armchair discussions and are focused on providing interpreters with insight, solutions and best practices to position Deaf and hard of hearing clients for success in healthcare settings!
Conference Registration
Join us in April for the 6th annual Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters!
Agenda
Friday, April 17, 2026
2:30 – 2:45PM (CT)
Welcome
7:45 – 9:00PM (CT)
Virtual Exhibit Hall Open
Saturday, April 18, 2026
9:30 – 9:45AM (CT)
Welcome
12:00 – 1:15PM (CT)
Lunch/Exhibit Hall
Sunday, April 19, 2026
12:00 – 1:00PM (CT)
Lunch/Virtual Networking
3:45 – 5:45PM (CT)
5:45 – 6:00PM (CT)
Closing Remarks
Earn up to 1.6 RID CEUs during the summit.
Earn up to 1.6 RID CEUs, including .55 RID PPO CEUs. Workshops designated with an * will provide RID PPO CEUs.
Meet Our Presenters
Aaryn Adams, RID NIC, BEI Master & BEI Court
She/Her/Hers
Aaryn has been an interpreter for 20 years, earning her first certification in 2010. Aaryn values collaboration and strives to establish best practices within interpreting communities for managing vicarious trauma, navigating ethical decisions and building our businesses. The majority of her career, Aaryn has served on designated interpreter teams for medical professionals, PhD candidates and government employees. Aaryn has extensive experience working with CDIs. Her practice currently specializes in conference and business travel interpreting. Aaryn is a practitioner first, which is reflected in her interpreting practice, presentation topics and business relationship style. Each of her workshops include intrapersonal awareness and interpersonal navigation components for consideration. Aaryn fosters spaces in which participants co-create knowledge and understanding.
Alexandria Miller, CDI
She/Her/Hers
Alexandria is a Deaf employee at the Department of Justice who carries a rich experience of understanding how the language functions in the interpreting process. She has worked with sign language interpreters for more than thirteen years and is from a Deaf family where signing is the primary mode of communication. She has graduated from Seymour Joseph Institute's Interpreting in Training Program where she and others were the first Deaf CDIs to graduate from the program. Alexandria has taught classes at the Interpreting in Training Program; Ethics in Interpreting, Contrasting of the Interpreting Models, Legal Interpreting, and Working with the Deaf Interpreter. She obtained her Masters of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University and has worked in the Tri-States as a freelance Certified Deaf interpreter.
ASHLEY R. WALKER, PHARMD
SHE/HER/HERS
Dr. Ashley R Walker is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and an advocate. Dr. Walker holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Bachelors of Science in Biotechnology from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has been a pharmacist for 9 years with experience in retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, home infusion pharmacy, and long-term care pharmacy. In addition to being a pharmacist, Dr. Walker brought to life a new dream when she established her business Med Max Consulting, LLC. Under this business, Dr. Walker can advocate for members of the deaf and hard of hearing community as well as offer medication counseling services to help this unique community maximize and optimize their medication therapy.
Casey King BSN, RN, CCRN
SHE/HER/HERS
Casey King was born with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. In 2013, prior to high school, Casey was implanted on her left side. Casey graduated from Capital University’s School of Nursing in May 2023. Along with her nursing degree, Casey also earned a minor in mathematics. Casey has been a nurse for over two years in the SICU/NCCU at the James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Her previous medical experience includes over two years at the Ohio State East Hospital on a stroke/geriatrics unit as a patient care associate. Casey obtained her CCRN this year and she plans to continue her advanced nursing education.
Corey Axelrod, MBA
He/Him/HIS
Corey Axelrod, MBA, is the founder and CEO of 2axend, a Deaf-owned strategic consulting and training firm working with organizations to provide user-centric experiences to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Prior to founding 2axend, Axelrod served in several business development roles for Communication Service for the Deaf, as well as principal and digital marketing consultant for Synergetic Business Solutions, digital marketing coordinator for Purple Communications and director of marketing and business development for Hager Productions. Axelrod earned his master of business administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing and sales management and his bachelor of science in business administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Jeremy Quiroga, MFA, CDI
he/him/his
Jeremy Quiroga is an accomplished professional who channels his passion for life and American Sign Language (ASL) through national workshops and performances. Beginning his career as a medical interpreter, Jeremy became the first staff Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) for the University of Rochester Medical Center, marking a pivotal moment that steered his focus toward medical interpreting. With exceptional ASL mastery and a wealth of life experience, Jeremy delivers dynamic interpreter workshops equipped with a wide array of tools tailored for diverse interpreting settings. Currently, he works as a Video Remote Interpreter (VRI) specializing in the medical field. Outside of work, Jeremy enjoys cooking, hiking, and gardening, pursuits that reflect his zest for creativity and connection with nature.
Jessica Dunkley, MD, MHSc, CCFP
She/her/hers
Dr. Jessica Dunkley is a Deaf and Métis family physician with specialized training in dermatology. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy and a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology. She is a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia, where she contributes to medical education focused on reflective practice, Indigenous Health, accessibility, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). She also sits on the MD admissions subcommittee, as a Indigenous physician and on behalf of the Canadian Association for Physicians with Disabilities. Dr. Dunkley is also a Deaf interpreter in medical and media settings with a background in translation. As a speaker with the Speakers Bureau of Canada, she presents nationally on relational approaches in healthcare, accessibility, and EDI.
Kelly Matamoros, MA, CI/CT
She/her/hers
Kelly Matamoros is an experienced interpreter and leader with more than 20 years of experience in diverse settings. She has led teams of interpreters, served as an adjunct professor, and is an emerging presenter committed to advancing collaboration and co-interpreting practices. Kelly’s lifelong connection with ASL and the Deaf community has guided her work and values and in each of her roles, she strives for authenticity and collaboration. Currently, she is the ASL Language Services Manager for a national medical Video Remote Interpreting team. Shaped by her upbringing in a large foster family, Kelly values community, inclusion, and meaningful connections. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family and takes pride in her most rewarding role, raising four very cool kids!
Kimberly Kelstone, DNP, CNM, CI, CT
She/her/hers
Kimberly Kelstone is a Nurse-Midwife (board certified and New York licensed), who focuses on all aspects healthcare for women and people assigned female at birth, providing full-scope health care to patients throughout their lifespan. Prior to Midwifery, she provided ASL/English interpretation for a wide variety of settings for over 30 years. Specializing in medical settings, Kimberly was involved in establishing the Interpreters in Healthcare member section of RID and has interpreted for countless Deaf patients & their families as well as Deaf medical residents, researchers, doctors, and other professionals in various healthcare related fields. She had the good fortune to also receive training through the CATIE center specific to their Medical Immersion program. She has worked closely in the past with NTID on their Medical Interpreting certificate, as well as the Master’s Degree in Health Care Interpreting.
Ku Mei Kern
She/her/hers
Ku Mei Kern has spent nearly 30 years working across the ASL and Deaf community as an interpreter, agency owner, ASL teacher, interpreting instructor, and mentor. Early experiences in Deaf Education and graduate study helped her identify where she could make the greatest impact—supporting interpreters as they grow into confident, capable professionals. She earned an M.A. in Teaching ASL from the University of Northern Colorado and has since supported ASL and interpreting educators through roles with GoReact, Sorenson, interpreting agencies, and ASL-related technology companies. Ku Mei also mentors undergraduate and graduate interpreting students at several universities and independently provides guidance on bridging classroom learning and real-world practice. She currently teaches as an adjunct in NTID’s ASLIE program, continues to freelance interpret, and serves on the CASLI board, grounding her teaching in ongoing professional practice and a deep respect for language, community, and connection.
Nigel Howard
He/HIM/HIS
Nigel Howard is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. He used to work at Douglas College – the Program of Sign Language Interpretation (INTR), and Child, Family and Community Studies (CFCS) for 25 years. Nigel has interpreted for nearly 30 years in various settings, including medical and mental health settings. He is an Accredited International Sign Interpreter by the World Federation of the Deaf and World Association of Sign Language Interpreters. He is part of the United Nations team of International Sign interpreters and interprets frequently on media.
Have a Question?
frequently asked questions
All workshops and panel discussions will be conducted via Zoom. All details will be provided to participants as we get closer to the summit.
For more information, please visit our Registration Options page.
The 2026 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters will offer up to 1.5 CEUs and .6 CEUs for the pre-conference.
This summit will be recorded. Recordings will be made available for individuals to purchase. This will be a separate cost from summit registration. More information will be shared after the summit.
The official language of the Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters is American Sign Language (ASL). With the exception of English-based chats, all program sessions and activities at the Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters will be delivered in ASL. No spoken language interpretation or captions will be provided. This summit is appropriate for students in interpreting training programs, working interpreters, or native language users.
Reasonable accommodations for this summit may be requested by emailing info@2axend.com.
Stay Informed: Sign Up for Summit Email Updates
Receive email updates with the latest presenter announcements, detailed session titles, and in-depth descriptions, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the summit.
Our Wonderful Sponsors
Ascending Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Participating Sponsors
Community Sponsors
CEU Sponsor
ASL Communication is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This General Studies and Professional Studies program is offered for 1.5 CEU’s at the ‘Some’ and ‘Extensive’ Content Knowledge Levels.
It is the policy of 2axend to promote an environment of mutual respect and prohibit any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, and any other protected class, in any of its activities or operations.
Conference Registration
Register now to join us in April 2025!