Deaf In Healthcare Summit
for Interpreters
Connecting Dots to Ascend
April 16-18, 2021
Join us for the 1st ever #DeafInHealthcare Summit for Interpreters!
A total of 1.4 CEUs will be offered during this action-packed, virtual summit. Sessions range from hands-on workshops to panel discussions focused on providing you with insight, solutions and best practices to position your Deaf and hard of hearing clients for success!
Conference Registration
Registration is now closed.
Agenda
Friday, April 16, 2021
2:30 – 2:45PM (CT)
Welcome
3:00 – 5:00PM (CT)
A1 | Media/Platform Interpretation and Preparation Techniques Related to Healthcare
A2 | Navigating through a COVID-19 World
5:30 – 7:30PM (CT)
B1 | Interpreting Ethically in Healthcare Settings
B2 | Deaf Disempowerment in the Healthcare Setting
7:30 – 8:30PM (CT)
Virtual Exhibit Hall Open
Saturday, April 17, 2021
9:30 – 9:45AM (CT)
Welcome
10:00AM – 12:00PM (CT)
A1 | How doctors think: Why did they ask those questions?
12:30 – 1:30PM (CT)
B1 | Reproductive injustice in the deaf community: What should interpreters know?
B2 | Panel: Chronic Illnesses/Conditions and Experiences in Healthcare
2:00 – 4:00PM (CT)
C1 | Working Effectively with Gender and Sexual Minorities
C2 | BiPoc in the World of Mental Health
4:00 – 5:00PM (CT)
Virtual Exhibit Hall Open
Sunday, April 18, 2021
9:00 – 9:45AM (CT)
Virtual Exhibit Hall Open
10:00AM – 12:00PM (CT)
A1 | The Science Behind Medical Interpreting
A2 | Sexual Healthcare Interpreting
12:30 – 1:30PM (CT)
B1 | Using Design Principles in Healthcare Interpreting
B2 | Panel: Racial Disparities and Experiences in Healthcare
2:00 – 4:00PM (CT)
C1 | Reframing Systemic Change in Healthcare
4:00 – 5:00PM (CT)
Virtual Exhibit Hall Open
Meet Our Presenters
ALICIA WOOTEN, PHD
SHE/HER/HERS
Dr. Alicia Wooten is a proud San Antonio, TX native who received her Ph.D. in 2019 at Boston University focused on lung immunology. She is a biology professor at Gallaudet University who is passionate about accessible science communication and co-founded Atomic Hands, focusing on STEM topics in ASL.
ALOK DOSHI, MBA
HE/HIS/HIM
Alok Doshi is in the Design for Health program at the University of Texas with Dell Medical School and School of Design. He previously worked as a product manager for Capital One and Healthcare.gov (Obamacare). He spent 15 years as an IT consultant, marketing analyst, and policy researcher. He has an MBA from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.
BETHANY GEHMAN, M.ED, CSE
SHE/HER/HERS
Bethany Gehman, M.Ed., CSE, is a skilled, compassionate educator, coach, and consultant who has supported individuals since 2013. She strives to connect with the community through her educational videos and interactions during her workshops / training. She is a firm believer that advocacy and education cannot happen without genuine connections. Learn more about Bethany and her sexual wellness work at www.bethanygehman.com.
CHRISTOPHER MORELAND, MD, MPH, FACP, FHM
HE/HIS/HIM
Dr. Chris Moreland is an academic internal medicine physician and associate residency director at Dell Medical School at UT Austin. As a clinician educator and administrator, and as President of AMPHL, he supports and mentors current and future healthcare professionals, and has been highly engaged in interpreter education. His publications and presentations address health disparities, workforce diversity, and the education of interpreters as healthcare specialists.
COREY AXELROD, MBA
HE/HIS/HIM
Corey Axelrod, MBA, is fourth generation Deaf, a passionate social justice advocate and social entrepreneur. As founder and CEO of 2axend, he helps organizations deliver user-centric experiences for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Corey is also currently serving his third term as the president of the Illinois Association of the Deaf, Illinois’ leading civil rights organization of, by and for Deaf and Deaf and hard of hearing Illinoisans.
LEEANNE VALENTINE
SHE/HER/HERS
LeeAnne Valentine is currently a Staff Clinician specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy at Deaf Wellness Center. She was trained and certified formally by IGNITE and Planned Parenthood to work with deaf clients who have gone through various traumas and need therapeutic assistance. LeeAnne received the Humanitarian Award by National Action Network led by Reverend Al Sharpton in February 2020, as well as numerous awards for her work in promoting sexuality and mental health care for many deaf people of color.
MICHAEL MCKEE, MD, MPH
HE/HIS/HIM
Dr. Michael McKee is an Associate Professor at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. He is a deaf family medicine physician, researcher and educator with extensive experience caring for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. He is an expert in communication and accessibility in health care.
NIGEL HOWARD
HE/HIS/HIM
Nigel Howard is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. At Douglas College, he works in the Program of Sign Language Interpretation (INTR), and Child, Family and Community Studies (CFCS). Nigel has interpreted for 25 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 does interpret on media.
TIFFANY PANKO, MD, MBA
SHE/HER/HERS
Tiffany Panko, MD, MBA, is passionate about reproductive justice, especially for deaf signers like herself. As a women’s health researcher directing the Deaf Health Lab at RIT/NTID Research Center on Culture and Language, she works on projects investigating health literacy, pregnancy experiences, and family planning in the deaf community.
TRUDY SUGGS
SHE/HER/HERS
Illinois native Trudy Suggs, a CDI, has worked as an educator, administrator, and editor. She has been involved with numerous organizations, including state-level RID chapters and the national RID. She has also served on numerous boards, including the National Association of the Deaf and the Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation. Trudy owns T.S. Writing Services and Savory Words Publishing, and makes her home in Maryland.
Meet Our Panelists
ALOK DOSHI, MBA
HE/HIS/HIM
Alok Doshi is in the Design for Health program at the University of Texas with Dell Medical School and School of Design. He previously worked as a product manager for Capital One and Healthcare.gov (Obamacare). He spent 15 years as an IT consultant, marketing analyst, and policy researcher. He has an MBA from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.
JAHAN FARZAM, LLMSW
HE/HIS/HIM
Jahan Farzam is a Deaf and LGBTQ+ Affirming therapist from Michigan. He currently serves as a board member for the Michigan Board of Interpreters of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing.
DEBBIE MITRE-SMITH, MATESOL
SHE/HER/HERS
Debbie Mitre-Smith is a Michigan community advocate and has been for more than 16 years. She has taught language, culture, and special education laws. Over the years, she has served on various local, state and national boards, as well as assisted in several projects and programs for different organizations. Debbie has three children and is involved in their school district activities.
JASPER NORMAN
HE/HIS/HIM
Jasper Norman is a proud DB Latino. He was born and raised in the North Eastern parts of the USA as the first generation from South America descents in his family. Jasper is a PT (Protactile) Trainer, consultant, advocator, educator, motivational presenter, PTT (Protactile Theatre) co-founder and DB travel designer. He completed his PT training at Tactile Communications, (Tc) LLC on October 23, 2017, however he has been involved with PT training and presentations since 2013 in the USA and internationally related to the PT language, cultures and DB journeys.
KIRSTEN POSTON
SHE/HER/HERS
Kirsten is a Disability Program Manager at the Federal Highway Administration. She received her B.A. degree from Gallaudet University. For the past 30 years, Kirsten has taken leads in the coordination of many advocacy, educational, and outreach activities targeting the deaf and disability communities. Among her many leadership positions, she was Secretary of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Vice President of Federal Employees with Disabilities, and Vice-Executive Director of Deaf in Government (DIG). She currently serves as a NAD Appointed Board member and DIG Director of Career Advancement.
NATALIE BURROUGHS
SHE/HER/HERS
Natalie is a board member of both the Illinois Association for the Deaf (IAD) and McLakes Chapter of the IAD. Natalie has made it her mission to inform people about deaf culture and the language of its members, American Sign Language (ASL). She has been an ASL instructor and tutor for over 20 years. She has worked on staff at Kent State University, Rochester School for the Deaf, Monroe Community College, and McHenry County College. Natalie has been teaching all levels of ASL classes at McHenry County College for 4 years, a Deaf mentor at Chicago Hearing Society and Cleveland Hearing Society center.
NORMA MORÁN
SHE/HER/HERS
Norma Morán obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts degree from American University (Washington, D.C.). She is a member of the National Advisory Group for the National Technical Institute of the Deaf, the Advisory Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the State of Maryland, and the Maryland/Washington DC Chapter's of Hands and Voices. Norma has given numerous presentations for a wide variety of organizations and institutions.
TERESA NOLD
SHE/HER/HERS
Teresa Nold is the LEAD-K Family Services Manager with NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Teresa has always worked in the field for people with disabilities. She has served on various local, statewide and national boards and committees, including the South Dakota Early Hearing Detection Intervention Advisory (EHDI) committee, EHDI National Conference Planning committee, South Dakota Deaf-Blind Advisory Committee, and as Vice President of the South Dakota Association of the Deaf. Teresa is married to Tim and together, they have two boys, Issac and Caleb. The Nold family are well versed with the medical world, between Tim's diagnosis with Leukemia and Issac having multiple disabilities.
YASHAIRA ROMILUS
SHE/HER/HERS
Yashaira “Yash” Romilus’ ethnicity comes from Puerto Rico. She identifies herself as DeafBlind Latina. She brings to this world a wealth of knowledge and experience from her personal life and her work experiences followed by specialized training and instruction in PT (Protactile) language. She has worked as a PT instructor on both national and international levels. She has experienced mentoring, advocating, educating, consulting and training DeafBlind youth/adults, families and interpreters. She is currently working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and minor in Spanish at Gallaudet University.
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 2023 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters will offer up to 1.5 CEUs and .6 CEUs for the pre-conference.
This summit will not be recorded. To earn the full CEUs, you must attend all sessions.
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.
Our Wonderful Sponsors
Ascending Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Participating Sponsors
CEU Sponsor
Trix Bruce is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This General Studies and Professional Studies program is offered for 1.4 CEU’s at the ‘Some’ Content Knowledge Level.
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.