Ludmila Golovine named as NCIHC 2024 Language Access Champion

WASHINGTON - April 9, 2024 - PRLog -- The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care has named Ludmila Golovine as its 2024 Language Access Champion. Ms. Golovine will receive this national recognition during NCIHC's Annual Membership Meeting on April 29^th, 2024.

The NCIHC board selected Ms. Golovine, founder and CEO of MasterWord Services in Texas, from over 10 well-qualified nominees in appreciation of her major contributions to language access in healthcare over 30 years, ensuring everyone in the US receives equal access to healthcare services regardless of their ability to speak English.

Her nominators stated, "Ludmila is not just a leader in the field; she is a trailblazer."

Ms. Golovine is a founding member of the Global Coalition for Language Rights and founder of a national language service provider, MasterWord Services. She is an interpreter trainer, contributing valuable content to the NCIHC "Home for Trainers" webinars, including webinars on Interpreter Trauma and Compassion Fatigue. Furthermore, her company has generously provided ASL interpreters for national training webinars and for human trafficking awareness initiatives showcases Ms. Golovine's commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Ms. Golovine has been a driving force behind language access initiatives in healthcare. Her leadership roles in organizations like the Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators (TAHIT) and the Houston Interpreters and Translators Association (HITA) showcase her commitment to promoting language access at both regional and state levels.

Ms. Golovine's influence played a pivotal role in the Language Access Legislation workgroup, advocating for certification requirements for healthcare interpreters in Texas.

Ms. Golovine has significantly impacted the industry's future by co-founding the Interpreting SAFE-AI Task Force. This initiative, developed with 10 other industry leaders, focuses on establishing ethical guidelines for responsible adoption of AI in language services, reflecting Ms. Golovine's commitment to shaping the industry's trajectory.

In response to the UNESCO Year and Decade of Indigenous Languages, she created and funds the Mayan Languages Preservation Project, a groundbreaking initiative led by Indigenous Mayan speakers with the goal of building an independent digital platform and fostering a comprehensive, open-source glossary to empower the 7 million strong Mayan community both in Guatemala and the US. Ms. Golovine envisions this as a model for language preservation and digital representation for other communities, echoing the sentiment that the Mayan platform is a heritage and voice resonating globally.

Carla Fogaren, NCIHC President, stated, "Amongst a field of exceptionally well-qualified candidates, Mila Golovine stands out as an extraordinary advocate for language access and social justice. With her time and expertise, she has contributed in countless ways to the advancement of health equity through interpreting, translation, education, and systemic change. It is long past time she be recognized for her work, and, The National Council is proud to name Ms. Golovine as the 2024 Language Access Champion."
www.https://www.ncihc.org/