BUFFALO, N.Y. (Monday, May 17, 2004) - Kaleida Health has been awarded a $43,345 grant from the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York to create a training program for professional medical interpreters (PMIs).

Kaleida Health's PMI program is part of their overall commitment to improve health care for the underserved and eliminate health care disparities in Western New York.

The areas of improvement include access to primary health care ("Take a Loved One to the Doctor" program), access to insurance programs (facilitated enrollers), and elimination of language barriers (PMI program).

"The problem of health disparities in ethnic minority populations is a concern," said Andres Garcia, a vice president for Kaleida Health. "Kaleida Health has recognized this need and is working to ensure proper health care for all."

The language interpretation program will focus on Spanish but can be replicated for any language. A curriculum and practicum that will meet national certification standards will also be developed.

At the end of five months, when the project is completed, the Western New York community will have access to a training program that has produced competent, skilled and ethical interpreters.

In October of 2002, the New York State Department of Health's Office of Minority Health asked community organizations in the Buffalo area, led by Kaleida Health, to meet and develop a plan to address the crisis of health disparities for minorities.

Residents of the East Side of Buffalo as well as the lower West Side Latino community came together to discuss health issues and possible strategies to address them.

Although the communities shared similar concerns, one major issue affecting the Latino community in particular, was the language barrier that exists for limited English proficient people.

The International Institute of Buffalo will partner with Kaleida Health and will help develop the curriculum, pre and post testing tools and methods, requirements and processes for selection of trainees, practicum, and training materials.

The $43,345 grant will cover the cost for a Senior Project Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for five months. For on-going sustainability, the coordinator and consultants will focus on finding additional funding options for the professional medical interpreters.

The Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York is a non-profit private foundation whose mission is to improve the health and health care of the people of Western and Central New York.