Palliative Care is the medical specialty that focuses on improving quality of life and relieving physical and emotional suffering for people who are experiencing a serious illness. Since palliative care depends on regular, clear communication between patients, providers, and families, interpreters are key members of any palliative care team.
For interpreters, conversations involving palliative care, especially those at the end of life, can be among the most difficult to convey — not only linguistically and culturally, but personally.
A two-day training in December 2025 was conducted for medical interpreters in Hawaiʻi to expand their knowledge of and ability to work with palliative care. Conducted via zoom by Cindy Roat, that training offered nine people who interpret for Compact of Free Association (COFA) languages to participate in the first training of its kind in Hawaiʻi. New materials were created for the course, specifically materials in COFA languages. Field tested by participants the materials are now are available for public use and in future training on our website.
Additionally, 12 other Hawaii-based medical interpreters participated and complete the certification, further boosting our community’s capacity in providing trained medical interpreters in serious illness situations while exposing COFA language interpreters to other experienced interpreters. A report with additional tools, recommendations and evaluations is available.
In January 2026 we offered two interactive seven-hour workshops focusing on Pacfic Island languages for Chuukese, Kosraean, Marshallese and Pohnpeian. This multimedia, interactive training included videos, PowerPoint presentations, and practice of interpreting and sight translation. The third day focused on professional interpreters working in Hawaiʻi, to hone their skill-set in Palliative Care. Workshop details here. A report with additional tools, recommendations and evaluations is available.
The Trainer
Our trainer Cindy Roat is an international consultant and trainer on language access in health care with 30+ years’ experience in the healthcare interpreting field. With an MPH in International Health Services, Cindy has made significant contributions to the language access field in the areas of training, program development, policy formulation, advocacy and organizational outreach.
To learn more about Palliative Care, and our multi-lingual resources in 13 languages visit the Kōkua Mau website: https://kokuamau.org/palliative-care-for-patients-and-families/