VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INTERPRETER

Kenneth grew up all over the world. Born in Bolivia to an English mother and Austrian father, he spoke English at home and Spanish outside the home. His family later moved to Peru and then South Africa. This international background propelled Kenneth towards a career in international business. After retiring in 2003, he and his wife Katja moved to the Berkshires.

I have been a VIM volunteer since 2007, primarily as a medical interpreter. I also coordinate the optometry clinic and help with medical histories and medical records requests. The opportunity to help the immigrant population in our area and communicate with them in their language is a constantly rewarding experience that I look forward to every week: it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

VOLUNTEER NURSE

Emily, who has a B.S. in nursing, practiced in public health as a Visiting Nurse in Boston and the Berkshires before becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist, working with private clients and at Canyon Ranch for 30 years..

After leaving work, I felt that I still had something to offer. When I met Ilana Steinhauer at the Festival Latino it was clear that VIM would be a great fit. The majority of the clients are Spanish speaking, so I took up studying on Duolingo. I now have over 500 days of consecutive practice and can communicate pretty independently in the nurse role, speaking directly with the clients without too much reliance on the interpreters (though they’re always available). And the staff are incredibly compassionate and helped me get up to date on current technology. This has been an extremely satisfying, intrinsically rewarding experience. I highly recommend volunteering with VIM to anyone looking for a way to contribute to the health of our community.

VOLUNTEER DOCTOR

Doug is a retired gastroenterologist who worked for 34 years in a group private practice in Springfield, MA., having trained in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at Norwalk and Yale University Hospitals. His family had been part time residents of New Marlborough for 33 years, and now full time residents since he retired in 2015.

I have been volunteering as a physician at VIM for the past 7 years, and couldn’t have found a more fulfilling organization to volunteer for. I had always planned on volunteering after retirement, but never envisioned that I would find such a comprehensive and rewarding entity. Not only is there a very motivated and educated staff, but an amazingly appreciative patient population of the care they receive.

VOLUNTEER MEDICAL ASSISTANT & INTERPRETER—NOW A MEDICAL ASSISTANT ON STAFF!

Shirley is a graduate of MCLA’s Class of 2022. Since high school, her interest in healthcare led her to pursue a degree in health science, and as of recently, an EMT license.

Newly graduated, VIM was the perfect place for me to apply what I learned in school and start building the skills I need as a future health care provider. Volunteering at VIM was an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience. It is of personal importance to aid in providing culturally sensitive healthcare to communities of people with cultural backgrounds like mine.

NONCLINICAL VOLUNTEER

Joanne moved to the Berkshires after working for various nonprofit organizations as an administrator and finance person in Washington, D.C.. She selected several volunteer opportunities based on the mission of the enterprise.

VIM is a model of care in the community that provides an opportunity to walk with neighbors who have a need we can help support. Everyone I have met through VIM has inspired me with their warmth, graciousness and standards of humanity, care, and dignity.

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

Mirna emigrated to the United States four years ago from Guatemala, where she holds a diploma in transfunctional medicine and had a career as a clinical laboratory and blood bank technician. She is currently taking courses in English as a Second Language at Berkshire Community College and plans to enroll in BCC’s Community Health Worker course to further her career in social work. She loves being a mother to her fourteen-year-old daughter.

At VIM I work alongside patients as a volunteer social worker. I have a passion for health care and community, and at VIM I’ve found a place where I can give back and express my compassion for my community here in the Berkshires. I also volunteer on VIM’s new committee for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) to help raise awareness and ensure patient voices are heard.