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Medical Communications Ambassadors (MCA) was created to provide a quality medical interpretation course for students who are bilingual in Spanish and English. The course is designed for individuals who are bilingual in English/Spanish, have a desire to learn how to be a professional interpreter and wish to further their education and expertise.

MISSION: The mission of Medical Communication Ambassadors is to provide innovative and quality interpretation training services to a diverse population with regional, organizational, and individual needs. The mission of our training program is to serve as a stepping stone to careers in medical interpreting.

INSTRUCTOR MARIA SCHWIETER

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Maria Schwieter was raised in La Paz, Bolivia and came to the United States when she was 20 years old.  She is the author of the Spanish/English medical interpreter’s course and textbooks that are offered through Medical Communications Ambassadors.  She and her colleagues, doctors Chris Watson and Eileen Stiller, continually evaluate the course content and make updates as needed.  This course is accredited with distinguished status by the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and is one of the first courses in the nation to receive accreditation.

 Maria has extensive experience working as a health care provider.  She has been a critical care nurse, emergency room/ trauma nurse specialist, diabetes educator, CPR, PALS, & ACLS instructor, mental health counselor, nursing instructor, and has worked as a medical interpreter since the year 2000. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling. She became the first trained medical interpreter in northern Indiana.  She pioneered the concept of having a comprehensive interpreter’s class in northern Indiana and was the first person to design and implement a language specific medical interpreter’s course in St Joseph County, Indiana.

  Maria has served on the board of directors of the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI), International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA), chair of the National Board of Certified Medical Interpreters (NBCMI), and the National Council of Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC). She is also a member of the American Translators Association (ATA) and the founder and president of the Northern Indiana Medical Interpreters Association (NIMIA).  Maria is a Certified Health Care Interpreter (CHI).

 Maria is an accomplished, award winning magician and is a graduate of the prestigious Chavez school of magic as well as the McBride Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas.  She currently lives in La Porte Indiana with her husband, Mike Powers, and their Labrador retrievers.

MEDICAL DIRECTORS

Aileen G. Stiller M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Was educated at the University of Chicago where she received her M.D. and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in ultrasound nuchal translucency. Dr. Stiller also worked as the assistant professor of OB/GYNE at the University of Chicago for 2 years. She has been and is the OB/GYNE committee chairperson at La Porte Hospital for over 10 years. DR. Stiller is fluent in Spanish and loves to travel mostly by bike. She has traveled with various mission groups and Doctors without Borders for many years. She has performed surgery for women in several South American countries including Guatemala, Africa and the Philippines.

Chris Watson D.O. Dr. Watson is originally from Minneapolis and received his medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Watson has worked professionally in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana both in private and government sectors. He also served as a Peace Core volunteer in Ecuador where he developed a passion for working with the Latin American community. Dr. Watson lives in Progreso Mexico and continues to practice in the USA.

Mark Grace D.D.S.

Dr. Grace attended Indiana University at Bloomington IN school of dentistry.  He has worked as a dentist since 1978.  He has also participated in several overseas missions to El Salvador and Mexico.  He currently works at the Community Health Clinic in La Porte IN.