Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. CEO Confirmed as One of 13 Commissioners Responsible for Developing National Certification for Language Interpreters within the Healthcare Industry

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LLE president and CEO, Kathleen K. Diamond, has been confirmed as one of 13 commissioners of the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters

WASHINGTON,Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its incorporation in July of 2009, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) has moved forward with its mission to create a national certification program for professional language interpreters in the medical field. Kathleen K. Diamond, CEO and president of Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE(�)), an organization that provides foreign language interpretation, translation and testing services to other firms around the world, has accepted the role of CCHI Commissioner. Diamond is one of 13 commissioners responsible for policy formation and direction of the development and administration of certification programs for interpreters in the healthcare industry.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080603/LLELOGO )

"Language barriers in healthcare can result in poor treatment, medical errors and costly mistakes," says Diamond. "The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters will benefit the industry by lending clarity and credibility to the definition of what a true medical interpreter is -- a highly skilled, well-trained and practiced professional."

Diamond, a linguist herself, speaking English, French and Spanish, founded LLE in 1979 and immediately began providing language instruction to the U.S. Government. In 1992, Diamond helped pioneer a way for hospitals to communicate with limited English speaking patients by providing 24-hour access to language interpreters via telephone; a service known as LLE-LINK(�).

"The certification policies created by CCHI will enable healthcare interpreters to meet demonstrable language proficiency beneficial to providers, their patients, and the healthcare industry," adds Diamond. "Our recent meeting in October clearly demonstrated how focused and eager healthcare professionals, translators, interpreters, and other stakeholders are as they create a certification body. I am very excited to be part of such a credible movement within the industry and look forward to the much needed standardization of healthcare interpretation skills."

CCHI's objective is to serve the current and future needs of healthcare interpreters and stakeholders by actively seeking a relationship with all healthcare interpreters who want the benefits, respect and recognition of achieving the best professional certification possible. Diamond, along with twelve other commissioners, will collaborate with advisory panels within CCHI. CCHI reports that the certification program will be worthy of accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and will adhere to best practices of healthcare certifications currently accredited by either or both of those two compliance organizations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 56 million individuals are classified as having limited ability to speak or understand the English language. CCHI reported that:

• 80 percent of hospitals frequently encounter limited English proficient (LEP) patients
• 81 percent of internal medicine physicians treat LEP patients frequently
• 84 percent of federally qualified healthcare facilities provide clinical services on a daily basis to LEP patients
  

For more information on LLE or Kathleen K. Diamond, call (877) 405-8764, extension 213; or visit www.lle-inc.com.

For more information on CCHI, visit http://healthcareinterpretercertification.org

About CCHI:

CCHI's objective is to serve the current and future needs of healthcare interpreters and the stakeholders (healthcare providers and institutions, language services agencies, government agencies, and patients) by delivering trained, qualified, certified and a competency-based population of healthcare interpreters.

Incorporated in July 2009 as an independent certification agency and 501(c)(6) organization, CCHI has been formed by healthcare professionals, interpreters and stakeholders to develop and direct a comprehensive certification program for healthcare interpreters.

About LLE:

Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE(�)) is recognized as the leading provider of technology supported language solutions to government, telecommunications, financial services, medical, and other customers around the world.

Utilizing an integrated community of over 3,000 experienced linguists, specializing in over 150 different languages, managed by dedicated language professionals, LLE delivers accurate and reliable telephone and face-to-face interpretation, document and e-mail translation, language instruction, language proficiency testing, and skill assessments.

LLE is celebrating its 30(th) year of recognition as a leading language services provider. LLE is a woman-owned, WBENC certified business with headquarters in Washington, DC, and a language technology center in Winchester, VA.

    Matthew Swain
    Language Learning Enterprises, Inc.
    1-877-405-8764 x213

SOURCE Language Learning Enterprises, Inc.

Copyright 2009 PR Newswire

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