Mary Ashley Bannister, MA

Personal Statement

Mary Ashley earned a Bachelor’s in Spanish from Berea College, and then a Master’s in Spanish from Miami University following a full-time volunteer year in Chicago, Illinois at PAUSA Community Education Center, an educational resource offering classes and childcare to Spanish-speaking women and children. She began interpreting and translating in medical contexts in 2011, and became a certified healthcare interpreter through the National Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters in 2012. Her interpreting work gave her experience in a variety of clinical settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and mental health settings in person at University of Kentucky Hospital, Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, as well as over-the-phone and video interpretation for patients across the country. Her experience as an interpreter ignited her passion for healthcare equity, leading her to represent the Diversity Services department in an interdepartmental Healthcare Equity workgroup at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She is excited to participate more fully in that work here in Albuquerque as a Community Health Worker at CHEK-D.

Undergrad: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Berea College

Graduate: Master of Arts in Spanish, Miami University of Ohio