Riverhead - At the age of seven Jessica Ruiz already understood the difficulties of language barriers and the importance of communication in a culturally diverse society. As an interpreter for her grandparents, whose preferred language is Spanish; Jessica took on the responsibility of enabling the cross-cultural communication necessary in today's society by interpreting one language into another. It was not something Ruiz enjoyed doing as a child but it later proved to be advantageous. Growing up, surrounded by different cultures, she strengthened her proficiency in various Spanish dialects and soon developed an interest in helping those who had limited English proficiency.

Ruiz, who is a Social Worker Assistant/Certified Medical Interpreter at Peconic Bay Medical Center, successfully completed and passed the written and oral exam for the National Certification for Medical Interpreter. She is one out of five National Board Certified Medical Interpreters and the first woman in New York State. Receiving this gold standard is proof of the level of quality achieved and personal commitment to her profession. "Having qualified interpreters to facilitate communication between patients with limited English proficiency and their physicians, nurses, lab technicians, and other care providers is key to providing quality healthcare services. The ability to address the patient's symptoms, concerns or questions, helps prevent wrong diagnoses and miscommunication," says Ruiz.

The responsibilities of a qualified Medical Interpreter have evolved over the years, making them a vital and highly valued member of the healthcare team. "We are very proud of Jessica's accomplishment and we are glad that she is part of the Peconic Bay Medical Center team," said Andrew Mitchell, President and CEO of Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Located in Riverhead, Peconic Bay Medical Center is a non-profit medical facility offering a wide range of advanced programs. Home to the award-winning Kanas Center for Advanced Surgery and the da Vinci Surgical Robotics Programs, Peconic Bay is also a designated Stroke Center and Bariatric Center of Excellence. A member of the East End Health Alliance, Peconic Bay is also affiliated with Stony Brook University Hospital.