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Chuukese interpreter added to meet growing need

07 Jun 2021

Dorothy Nelson started in prep and recovery



By: Cecelia Easdale, patient advocate

If you have patients who speak Chuukese, we have good news. We welcomed interpreter Dorothy Nelson to our Language Access Team! Dorothy is from the island of Polowat, Chuuk Micronesia. She moved to Oregon in 1993 with very little English. By talking with people, improved her English and continues to eagerly continue learning. She has been with the Salem Health prep and recovery team for 8-plus years and is grateful to be a part of this awesome group. According to our department’s data the demand for Pacific Islander interpreters at Salem Health grew 82% since 2018. Dorothy has built trust with this community and will be instrumental in bridging important communication and cultural gaps.