Interpreter Services at UWMC

Welcome to the Interpreter Services Department at UWMC


University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) provides medical care for people with many different communication needs. Interpreter Services supports equal access to care by providing:
  • Foreign language interpretation
  • Translation and Braille setting
  • Disability accommodation
  • Adaptive devices

In addition, Interpreter Services provides:
  • Patient navigation for immigrants and disabled patients
  • Cultural consultation to providers and hospital staff
  • Consultation on removing barriers to care for vulnerable populations

The main languages spoken by UWMC patients are:
  • Spanish
  • Russian
  • Vietnamese
  • Mandarin
  • Korean
  • Somali
  • Amharic
  • Farsi
  • Arabic
  • American Sign Language

Interpreter Services supports patients, families, medical staff, hospital staff, and medical interpreters. Working together, we can make health care safe, effective and satisfying for everyone.

If you are a patient or family member and would like to know about our language support and navigation services, please visit: Information about Interpreter Services for Patients, Family, and Community

If you are a health care worker or provider and would like to know how UWMC Interpreter Services supports our care teams in providing care to patients, please visit: Information about Interpreter Services for Health Care Workers and Providers

If you are a Medical Interpreter and would like to know about operating norms, expectations, and educational resources for interpreters, please visit Information for Medical Interpreters.