Hospital Staff Focuses on Bilingual Health Care

Language and culture can sometimes be an obstacle to getting proper medical attention, but a local hospital has been working to ensure that's not an excuse when it comes to their Spanish-speaking patients.

Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park has made it a priority to employ bilingual doctors, nurses and support staff. The staffing reflects the hospital's growing demographics of Spanish-speaking patients in Maywood and Melrose Park.

 According to hospital records, 32 percent of Gottlieb's primary service area is Hispanic. In 2008, 23 percent of the patients discharged from the hospital's primary service area were Hispanic.

Evangelina Devargos, 75, of Aurora was able to take communion while in bed recovering from dialysis treatment. Jorge Maldonado, one of two chaplains who work at the hospital, did the communion ritual in Spanish.

Maldonado said being able to speak the language of patients like Devargos helps them with their physical recovery as well as their spiritual well-being.

"They are going through an emotional or spiritual distress," he said. "They want to talk to someone who is different from the medical team."

Born in Chile, Maldonado said being bilingual helps bridge the gap between the patient's treatment from a medical point of view versus his or her own cultural values.

The hospital's official medical interpreter, Joyce Valdez, said being there for a patient that only speaks Spanish is sometimes a positive step in their recovery.

"They are so relieved when they see someone come into the room and interpret for them," she said.

Along with helping Spanish-speaking patients describe their symptoms to the doctor and convey the doctor's recommendations she goes out into the Hispanic community to be proactive as well. High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol are prevalent among Hispanics.

Valdez is the hospital's Latino Community Events Coordinator and does outreach programs in the community to educate Hispanic residents about maintaining good health and motivating people to see a doctor on a regular basis.

Sometimes it's easier said than done, said Dr. Eric Gabriel, whose practice is located in the hospital. The majority of his clients are Hispanic.

His family is originally from Puerto Rico. Being bilingual has been a resource for his patients extending beyond medical care, he said.

"There are a lot of emotional problems that come along," Gabriel said. "I become a part of the family. Sometimes they call me 'padre.'"

Although he can make strides with his patients by speaking Spanish, often a doctor's advice in any language is sometimes hard for a patient to follow. Gabriel said getting Hispanics, especially the men, to come in for just a routine exam is sometimes difficult.

"Sometimes they wait until the last minute," he said. "They take better care of their cars than they do themselves. It can be depressing and frustrating."

Gabriel, who has been a doctor for 19 years, said sometimes Hispanics often resort to natural remedies or a "Sorbandero" to cure their illness. He said it's usually because they don't have insurance, but he says those who are sick should seek out medical attention and worry about the cost later.

To try and convince people about the importance of visiting the doctor regularly he speaks at churches and other venues. He tries to educate people about making healthy choices and seeing a doctor before they have no choice. He said some most people are getting the message.

"Hispanics are very appreciative when you take care of them," he said.