MIAC's Yesterday

The history of the Medical Interpreting Association of Connecticut is one of very different perspectives coming together to address a healthcare issue we can impact. The association was founded in 2007 by a group of medical interpreters, program managers, private for profit organizations, and community non-profit organizations. This group began expressing the current patient challenges in a fragmented healthcare system and the disadvantage that limited English proficient person face everyday. Sharing the commitment to improve the quality and availability of interpreting services in the delivery of healthcare, this group of medical interpreters, program managers, non- and for profit organizations came together to form MIAC.

MIAC's Today

Today, the Medical Interpreting Association of Connecticut is committed to improving the quality and availability of interpreting services in the delivery of healthcare. MIAC is not only a professional association of medical interpreters, but also one that serves the interests of the Limited English Proficient patients and their families. MIAC is currently receiving a great deal of support from many organizations such as AHEC, Hartford Hospital and other medical interpreting associations such as the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care, the International Medical Interpreters Association, and of the many individual and organizational members.

We must work toward creating healthy collaborations with other organizations in the public and private sector alike. We must raise awareness about the importance of medical interpreting services, educate providers as to how effectively work with an interpreter, set new standards in education and training of interpreters, serve as champions for research, and inform public policy on the critical issue of addressing the needs of the LEP population.

MIAC's Tomorrow

The diversity of MIAC's membership includes interpreters, program managers, physicians, mental health providers and other healthcare providers, hospitals, interpreting agencies, educators, and government policymakers. With all such expertise coming together, MIAC is and will continue to be uniquely equipped to make a difference, and always step up to the challenge. As we work to affect the healthcare system as a unified team, we hope to achieve a tradition of striving for the highest standards of excellence in all our efforts and making a difference for the LEP population in accessing health care that is of high quality, equitable and informed.