Please join us for the upcoming webinar for health care providers:
Webinar: OHA Health Care Interpreter (HCI) Program rule changes and available resources for health care providers
Date: January 15, 2026
Time: 7:30–8:30 a.m. PT
Register here for the Zoom meeting
Hosted by: OHA Health Care Interpreter (HCI) Program
Please join us for a one-hour webinar to hear about HCI Program rule changes and available resources, and learn from a panel discussion featuring health care providers and health care interpreters from OHA HCI central registry.
Panelists include:
Amelia Pacheco, Qualified Health Care Interpreter, Spanish and Purepecha: Amelia has been working as a paid Spanish and Purepecha interpreter for several years, after obtain obtaining credentialing through OHA. She is the only qualified Purepecha interpreter on the OHA central registry. She is a mother of 3 children, and was born in Michoacán Mexico, in a rural community called Cocucho. Purépecha is her first language. She has worked in social services for over 10 years. She has a passion for helping others, as her mother introduced her at a very young age to interpret for neighbors and other community members. Amelia is proud to be able to assist others communicate in their native languages.
Angie Hurley, Med, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center: Angie is the Director of Operations overseeing medical services at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Angie has experience and passion for community health centers with nearly 25 years of operations in primary care, SBHCs, mobile health, and harm reduction programs as well as filling roles in Quality Assurance, Compliance, and Health & Safety. Throughout her career she has balanced her role in operations with her focus on patients and their experience of care. Angie has a master's degree in educational leadership, and certificates in Healthcare Management from Portland State University and the Northwest Public Health and Primary Care Leadership Institute.
Audrey Egan, MPH, Umpqua Health: Audrey is a Quality Manager at Umpqua Health, leading system-level initiatives to advance health equity through language access, social determinants, and preventive care. A certified Health Literacy Specialist in Language, Culture & Diversity, she has expertise in building sustainable language access programs and driving system change in the communities she serves.
Dr. Kelly Crawford, DO, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center: Dr. Crawford is an Internal Medicine physician at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center and the Site Medical Director for the VGMHC McMinnville, Sheridan, Evans St, and Willamina clinics. Dr. Crawford graduated from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 and completed her residency in Internal Medicine in 2009, she has been providing comprehensive medical care since then. She enjoys practicing Internal Medicine in the outpatient setting as well as providing osteopathic manual therapy.
Maria Luz Hernandez, Certified Health Care Interpreter, Spanish: Luz Hernandez is a Double-Board and State Certified Spanish Medical Interpreter (NBCMI, CCHI, and Oregon OHA CMI). Her mission is to serve individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) through continuous learning, research, and advocacy. She is dedicated to advancing the recognition of the spoken language interpreter as a professional provider and essential partner in inclusive, high-stakes medical care. Her goal is to ensure that every patient -regardless of language- feels heard, respected, and truly understood.
Dr. Melinda Muller, MD, FACP, Legacy Health: Dr. Muller is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Legacy Health, overseeing medical staff, quality, compliance, safety, education, and research for the Portland-based system. A lifelong Oregonian, she advanced from primary care leadership to executive roles, and has served on key state committees to improve healthcare standards and patient safety.
More information coming soon.
For questions about this webinar, please contact Edna Nyamu, Program Manager, edna.nyamu@oha.oregon.gov, or David Simnitt, DS Consulting, dsimnitt.dsc@gmail.com.
WALK-IN: the 1st Wed. of the month from 12 PM- 4 PM at 421 SW Oak St. Suite 750. Portland, OR 97204. (Except on Holidays)
You can also have all your HCI questions answered by calling 971-673-3378 or 971-219-9987 or by emailing HCI.program@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
NEW LOCATION for HCI Drop-In Office Hours: Starting December 1st 2025 drop-in hours will be held at the Portland State Office Building: 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232 in room 1C-30. The first Wednesday of the month from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Health Care Interpreter Program
Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. For assistance, contact the Health Care Interpreter Program at HCI.Program@odhsoha.oregon.gov or by phone at (971)673-3378
at least 48 hours before a meeting.
Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:
- Sign language and spoken language interpreters
- Written materials in other languages
- Braille
- Large print
- Audio and other formats