Catherine Wilson, a medical interpreter at the UNC Internal Medicine Clinic in the Ambulatory Care Center, received the inaugural “Dulce Garcia Award for Outstanding Medical Interpreter” on October 15. Selected by faculty and staff, the award was created to recognize an outstanding interpreter and role model from the UNC Medical Center who demonstrates the exemplary professional and personal qualities embodied by Dulce Garcia, a much-admired Spanish interpreter who died this spring from COVID-19. Wilson has provided interpreter services for UNC Health patients for more than three years.
Marco Alemán, MD, professor of medicine in the division of general medicine and epidemiology, presented Wilson with the honor, which will become an annual recognition, sponsored by the division of general medicine.
“Catherine cares about the patients she serves, is meticulous and very helpful to the staff when she interprets. She is dedicated to her profession and is currently the secretary of the Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters.”
Dulce began her work as a Spanish medical interpreter at UNC Medical Center in May, 2016. Co-workers remember her as a team player, always willing to collaborate for the benefit of the other interpreters, patients and staff. She was a professional who never stopped trying to improve her interpreting skills. Colleagues remember her for her smile, genuine kindness and the joy that she brought to others.