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Language Access: A Decade of Progress for Hispanic and Latino Health Equity

Patricia Sauceda Kramer, M.A.
by
Patricia Sauceda Kramer, M.A.
Event Date:
-
Event Location:
Virtual
Event Speaker(s):
Patricia Sauceda Kramer, M.A., Principal Strategist, Hispanic Employment Portfolio
Brenda J. Robles, Certified Medical Interpreter
An older Hispanic man looking at his laptop computer.

Celebrate a decade of transformative progress with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as we spotlight groundbreaking efforts to enhance language access for Hispanic/Latino communities across the United States. Over the past ten years, HHS has made significant strides in breaking down language barriers and promoting health equity.

During this lively panel discussion, attendees will discover challenges faced, learn about major achievements, and explore ways to improve language accessibility further. Aligning with the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month National Theme of "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," our panelists will highlight how these advancements shape a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Join us as we celebrate our shared successes and engage in dialogue focused on advancing health equity through language access. Together, we can continue to shape the future and ensure every voice is heard.

Patricia Sauceda Kramer, M.A.

Ms. Kramer was born in Mexico and grew up in Arizona. As the Principal Strategist for the Hispanic Employment Portfolio, Ms. Kramer ensures that Latinx employees have opportunities and enjoy fair employment practices at NIH.

In 2018, Ms. Kramer graduated magna cum laude from St. Andrews University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In 2020, she graduated from Adler University with a master’s degree in psychology and is currently a doctoral student at Adler in Industrial Organizational Psychology focusing on equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. Ms. Kramer is a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society, the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Psychological Association, and the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Brenda Robles

Ms. Robles is a California State Certified Medical Interpreter with 28 years of experience in simultaneous, consecutive, and conference interpreting in health care and law. With more than 18 years of experience at NIH, she conducts a variety of training classes on cross-cultural medicine, communication, and patient safety, and the role of medical interpreters as part of an interdisciplinary team. In 2017, Ms. Robles presented at Harvard University by invitation of the Cervantes Institute and the Royal Academy of Medicine of Spain on effective communication practices between monolingual doctors and limited English proficiency populations in clinical research.  

Ms. Robles is highly committed to the core values of stewardship; workforce mentorship; fostering a sense of organizational belonging; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; reducing disparities across federal entities; and equal rights for underrepresented minority populations. Ms. Robles earned a bachelor’s degree in French Literature from the University of California Riverside.

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