MTI Leadership Team Meeting Notes
January 17, 2006
Attendees: Jason Varga, F.I.R.S.T. Project; Susan Kash-Brown, SECC; Kevin Flores, St. Elizabeth’s; Darcy Tromanhauser and Monica, NE Appleseed; T.J. McDowell, CHE; Pat Carlson, Centerstar; Joan Anderson, LCMS; Malcom Miles, Region V Systems; Suzy Prenger, Planned Parenthood & SECC; Helen Fagan, BryanLGH; Cecelia Creighton, People’s Health Center; Cordelia Okoye, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department, Jean Krejci, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department.
Guests: Jerry Pflanz, International Communication Inc.
Introductions
- J. introduced Darcy Tromanhauser, Program Coordinator of the Immigrant Integration & Civic Participation Project at Nebraska Appleseed, who is taking Jen Hernandez’s place on the MTI Leadership Group. Darcy introduced Monica who is interning with the Nebraska Appleseed.
International Communications Inc.
Jerry Pflanz presented information about his company, International Communications Inc. (ICI) that provides translation and interpretation services in over 50 languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mr. Pflanz reported that his company has 125 interpreters. His company uses the Bridging the Gap curriculum to train their interpreter pool. All the interpreters in the ICI pool take fluency tests and complete background checks. ICI charges $38 per hour for interpreter services. Costs for written translation are negotiated based on scope of the project. Mr. Pflanz is working on incorporating a web-based program to assist with scheduling interpreters. He believes that when we adopt interpreter standards we may need different standards for languages with fewer speakers. He also believes that interpreters need classes/training focusing on medical terminology and medical professionals need training on how to use interpreters effectively.
Staffing Report
Helen Fagan reported on the work of the Staffing Ad Hoc committee. The committee is working on a draft MTI Project Coordinator contract. The Community Health Endowment Board of Trustees will review the draft contract at their meeting on January 25, 2006. Kit Boesch wrote a proposal requesting $7,500 from the Keno Prevention Fund to support the MTI Project. The Human Services Federation submitted the proposal on our behalf. Helen suggested that every organization consider contributing financially to the MTI Project. The committee anticipates a contract for the MTI Project Coordinator in the range of $18,000 to $24,000 based on salary data gathered by the Human Resources director at BryanLGH. The MTI Leadership Group suggested that we approach the Community Outreach Foundation, Building Strong Families Foundation, and the Woods Charitable Foundation about financially supporting the project.
Committee Reports
Survey
Joan Anderson reported that the Lancaster County Medical Society mailed the MTI surveys along with a cover letter to all the local physicians’ offices. She indicated that they have already received some responses. Joan is meeting with pre-hospital providers (emergency response professionals) next week to discuss the survey. T.J. will follow-up with individuals at the Nebraska Dental and Pharmacy Associations to identify a strategy for surveying dentists and pharmacists.
Interpreter Standards
Suzy Prenger reported that the Standards Committee is drafting a PowerPoint presentation on the National Council of Interpreters in Health Care Standards. The Standards presentation will be the major agenda item for the February MTI Leadership Group meeting. Ms. Prenger mentioned that the committee has also begun to look at interpreter assessments.
Statewide Summit
Malcom Miles reported that the original summit idea is on the back burner. The Summit Planning Committee is working on a CDC grant proposal to support four statewide conferences on interpretation issues. The Summit Planning Committee is meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to discuss the CDC grant RFP.
Other
- J. requested the group consider the addition of three new members: Sharon Baker, Pat Lopez, and Christine Stroud. The Leadership Group thought the three individuals would be good additions to our team. T.J. will follow up with the new group members.
- J. distributed the MTI Leadership Group meeting schedule for 2006. He mentioned that he anticipates moving to quarterly Leadership Group meetings and focusing efforts on committee work addressing the action strategies.
- J. gave a brief report on the National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health that he attended in Washington D.C. January 9-11. He reported that he met several individuals that are working on interpretation issues both nationally and at local levels. T.J. reported that 40+ individuals attended his presentation on the medical interpretation and translation community planning and implementation project that Lincoln is working on.
- J. thanked the MTI Leadership Group for their hard work and responding to emails!
The next MTI Leadership Group meeting is February 21, 2006
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Southeast Community College-Continuing Education Building
301 South 68th Street