New Program in Maryland Seeks To Teach Hospital System Cultural Competency

A newly formed Center of Health Disparities for Adventist HealthCare in Rockville, Md., aims to educate health care providers working at Adventist HealthCare facilities to be "culturally competent," the Montgomery County Gazette reports. The program, which is already operating at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, includes a three-day session for bilingual staff members to cover the legal and practical aspects of being an interpreter. In addition, staff members will receive training on how to be culturally sensitive to a patient's traditions. Center Executive Director Marcos Pesquera said he also hopes to help minority patients better navigate the health system. Pesquera said, "Every organization needs a strategy to combat disparities," adding, "It's all about breaking down the barriers that prevent (minorities) from having open access to good health care." He said he will issue a report card on the center's progress by the end of the year. Training programs offered through the center eventually will be expanded to other Adventist facilities and to Montgomery County first responders (Vaughn, Montgomery County Gazette, 3/7).