CHRISTINA CONTRERAS
Running for Director of the NCIHC Board of Directors
For the past eight years, I have worked within Union County Public Health, building a career centered on advancing equitable and culturally responsive care for diverse communities. My work has always been guided by a simple goal: ensuring that every patient, regardless of the language they speak, receives the same quality of care and respect.
I began as a bilingual administrative professional supporting multiple clinics and gained firsthand experience interpreting for patients, coordinating services, and addressing barriers that limited access to care. These early experiences shaped my commitment to language access and gave me a strong understanding of the challenges faced by both patients and providers.
In May 2024, I transitioned into my current role as Human Services Supervisor for Language Services. I oversee interpreters and clinical assistants across Child Health, Maternal Health, Family Planning, WIC, Dental, and Communicable Disease programs. My responsibilities include maintaining compliance with language access standards, developing training materials, mentoring staff, and strengthening collaboration between interpreters and clinical teams. I also work closely with leadership to improve scheduling, tracking systems, and reporting processes that ensure accountability and consistency in service delivery.
Through this work, I have developed a deep appreciation for how data, communication, and compassion intersect in public health. I have led efforts to enhance interpreter training, promote ethical practices, and create bilingual educational materials that support staff and patients alike. I value the opportunity to build bridges between policy and practice so that language access is not just an operational requirement but an integral part of equitable care.
The mission of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care aligns closely with my own values of inclusion, education, and respect. I bring a public health perspective, hands-on leadership experience, and a strong commitment to interpreter professionalism. If selected, I hope to contribute to advancing NCIHC's vision of ensuring that all people receive the same quality of health care, regardless of their ability to communicate.
It would be an honor to serve on the NCIHC Board of Directors and to help shape strategies that strengthen language access and promote meaningful equity across all communities.
Click the links below to view her resume.
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