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Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association
(MMIA)
MMIA Background
With over 350 members from all over the USA and from Canada, MMIA became
incorporated in 1991. Membership benefits include a free copy of the MMIA
Interpreter Standards of Practice, which have been revised and accepted
by the National Council on Intepreting in Health Care in May 1998.
MMIA Purpose
- Define educational requirements and qualifications for medical interpreters;
- Establish professional standards of practice and norms of medical
interpretation;
- Promote the establishment of professional interpretation services
and the use of professional translation by medical institutions and
related agencies;
- Act as clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information
about medical interpretation-translation and related issues;
- Promote research into issues of cross-cultural communication in the
healthcare setting.
The Association strives to meet these objectives by means of :
- Publishing a newsletter, bulletins, notices, glossaries, dictionaries,
reports, and any other publications that may further its objectives;
- Holding periodic meetings;
- Establishing and maintaining an accreditation process for Medical
Interpreters;
- Maintaining membership in professional organizations in related fields;
- Working actively with universities, foundations, government agencies,
and other organizations in such matters as the training and continuing
education of interprets and translators. MMIA accomplishments:
- Instrumental in organizing the first national medical interpreting
working group meeting, Seattle, WA, 1995;
- Presenting a draft of Medical Interpreters Standards of Practice at
the second national working group meeting in Toronto, Canada in 1996;
- Hosting and cosponsoring the third meeting and coordinating the first
national conference on medical interpreting, Boston, MA, May 1997;
- Publishing the only Standards of Practice for Medical Interpreters
adopted on a national level at the 4th National Working Group conference
in Seattle, WA, May 17th -- 19th, 1998;
- Hosting a Medical Interpreters regional conference (east coast) at
Bentley College, November 7, 1998;
- Participating and leading in the designing, teaching and evaluating
of training programs for medical interpreters at hospital, college and
university levels, and in presenting continuing education classes, seminars,
workshops, etc. for practicing Medical Interpreters and aspiring candidates;
- Currently developing a certification process for medical interpreters;
- Advocating for and participating in the implementation of a legislature
bill that mandates the establishment of qualified Interpreter Services
and Training in Massachusetts.
Membership Information
- Dues
- Are payable annually, due on December 31 of each year. For those who
join after September 1st, membership expires in December of the following
year.
Interpreters: $30/year
Task Forces and similar groups: $50/year
Corporate: $100/year
Contact information
John Nickrosz, President MMIA
phone: 617-636-5479
fax: 617-636-6283.
or
Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association Address:
New England Medical Center
750 Washington St
NEMC Box 271
Boston, MA 02111
Fax: 617-636-1845
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