Pre-Conference

April 24-25, 2025

Learn from the Experts!

A total of .6 CEUs will be offered during the pre-conference for the 2025 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters. A specialized learning opportunity, this pre-conference is designed for interpreters to explore using movement and visual/spatial techniques to interpret difficult ideas and refine their ability to interpret complex cardiovascular- and oncology-related concepts with clarity and accuracy.

Pre-Conference Agenda

Thursday, April 24, 2025

3:00 – 5:00PM (CT)

Beyond the Words – Advanced Conceptualizing STEM for Healthcare

Alicia K. Wooten, Ph.D. and Barbara Spiecker, Ph.D.

This session builds on sessions provided during the pre-conference of the 2024 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters and is designed to deepen ASL-STEM interpretation by exploring spatial and kinesthetic strategies for conveying complex concepts. Participants will refine grammar structures (OSV vs. SVO), address linguistic bias, and engage in hands-on exercises to enhance STEM communication, building a foundation for the next two medical-focused sessions. Past attendance at the pre-conference for the 2024 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters is not required. After attending this session, participants will:
  • Apply OSV and SVO structures appropriately in STEM interpretations to improve clarity and accuracy.
  • Demonstrate effective use of spatial mapping and classifiers to convey abstract scientific concepts.
  • Identify and reduce linguistic bias by critically evaluating the use of fingerspelling versus new STEM signs.

6:00 – 8:00PM (CT)

Biology in Motion: Signing Cancer Concepts

Alicia K. Wooten, Ph.D. and Barbara Spiecker, Ph.D.

This workshop, led by a Deaf biology expert, equips interpreters with the knowledge and ASL vocabulary needed to accurately convey cancer biology concepts. Through interactive activities, participants will expand their signing repertoire, enhance clarity, and develop strategies to interpret complex oncology topics effectively.

After attending this session, participants will:
  • Develop a foundational understanding of cancer biology, including cell mutations, tumor growth, and treatment strategies
  • Expand their ASL lexicon by learning and practicing new ASL signs related to cancer biology
  • Improve interpretation skills by refining their ability to interpret cancer-related content with linguistic and conceptual accuracy in ASL.

Friday,  April 25, 2025

11:30 – 1:30PM (CT)

Biology in Motion: The Cardiovascular System in ASL

Alicia K. Wooten, Ph.D. and Barbara Spiecker, Ph.D.

The cardiovascular system is constantly in motion—circulating blood, delivering oxygen, and maintaining life. This workshop, led by a Deaf biology expert, will help interpreters develop a strong foundation in cardiac function and expand their ASL vocabulary. Through interactive activities, participants will refine their ability to interpret complex cardiovascular concepts with clarity and accuracy. After attending this session, participants will:
  • Gain a deeper understanding of cardiovascular anatomy, circulation, and common heart conditions to enhance interpretation accuracy.
  • Learn and practice specialized ASL signs related to the cardiovascular system, ensuring effective communication.
  • Improve interpretation skills by refining their ability to interpret cardiovascular topics in medical and educational settings.

Presenters

  • Alicia K. Wooten, Ph.D.

    Alicia K. Wooten, Ph.D.

    She/her/hers

    Dr. Alicia K. Wooten is a deaf immunologist and associate professor of biology at Gallaudet University. She earned a Ph.D. in Molecular and Translational Medicine from Boston University and a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her expertise lies in lung biology, infectious diseases, and the immune system, with research focusing on HIV, autoimmune diseases, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Dr. Wooten co-founded Atomic Hands, a non-profit aiming to engage the deaf community in STEM through American Sign Language (ASL) and facilitate networking opportunities among deaf STEMists. Beyond academia, she actively contributes to public health efforts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is dedicated to developing ASL-based STEM educational resources. Dr. Wooten advocates for inclusive science communication and encourages minority groups, especially in the deaf community, to pursue careers in science.

  • Barbara Spiecker, Ph.D.

    Barbara Spiecker, Ph.D.

    She/her/hers

    Dr. Barbara Spiecker is a deaf marine ecologist at University of New Hampshire who uses mathematical and statistical tools, coupled with experiments and field observations, to answer questions related to responses of marine communities to climate change and monitoring and management of marine habitats. She is a co-founder of a non-profit, Atomic Hands that focuses on making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engaging through American Sign Language (ASL). We create videos covering varying STEM topics, give presentations and training nationally and internationally on how to deliver STEM topics in ASL, and offer ASL-English translation services for anything STEM related. Barbara has also worked with state- and nationally-funded projects on developing STEM signs in ASL and state education departments to translate English-based standardized tests in ASL. She has a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Oregon State University, M.S. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University, and a B.S. in Biology from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Pre-Summit Registration

Registration for the 2025 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters and the pre-conference is open.

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