Chestnut Hill Resident, Gloria Tirado, named Mass. Eye and Ear Employee of the Quarter

Mass. Eye and Ear’s Employee Recognition Award Recipient, Gloria Tirado, has more than 20 years of experience in cross-cultural communications. Most of those years have been spent at Mass. Eye and Ear where she works as a Spanish/English medical interpreter. Gloria began interpreting by helping family and friends communicate when they visited her from Latin America. She has since turned her love of helping others into a career that assists numerous patients every year.

Gloria was born in Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city. While living there she studied art and iInterior design and worked in the arts industry.  She also served as the art director at the Theodore Herzl primary school and high school for five years. She moved to Massachusetts in 1974 with her daughter Ana Maria and her husband, Rodrigo, who was perusing his specialty in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Before joining the staff at Mass. Eye and Ear Gloria would travel to many places working as an independent contractor for Cross Cultural Communications Systems. “I used to go everywhere, and work in any department – internal medicine, the justice department, private doctors, and in the mental health department,” she said. “Twenty years ago, there were not very many medical interpreters, but the need was there. My services were so in demand that occasionally I would have to travel two or more hours to my assignment. Twelve years ago I began participating in the Liaison program, which was sponsored by Cross Cultural Communication Systems and Mass. Eye and Ear. Working for Liaison every Wednesday and Thursday eventually lead to my full time position at Mass. Eye and Ear.” 

At the same time, Gloria was also teaching Spanish to kindergarten students in Milton, Mass. “Even until today, I see some of my kindergarten students at Mass. Eye and Ear. They’re all grown up now, but they come to say, 'Hola Senora Gloria! Hello, Mrs. Gloria,' to me,” she exclaimed.

Communications Manager Amy Sands, who has worked with Gloria for many years, described her as someone who is always willing to help anyone at any time. “She performs her job with the highest degree of respect for our patients, as well as staff,” Amy said. “When the phone rings in the Interpreter Services Office, Gloria will jump up from her chair and say, ‘where do I need to go?’”

Although Gloria is an outwardly kind person, she describes herself as an introvert, better with one-on-one interactions than connecting with people within a group.  She describes a lesson her father taught her. “One day, I went to him and said, ‘I’m so shy, and sensitive. I don’t know what I’m going to do.’ In turn, he told me that I can use that to help others. From my mother, I learned discipline – that you must always go the extra mile in anything that you do,” she said.

A typical day for Gloria consists of checking her assignments, calling patients to personally remind them of their appointments, and meeting with doctors and patients to interpret information regarding health and treatment.

In the era of information technology, one may think that medical interpreters are tantamount to Google Translator. “This is simply not true, full information can’t be met with just words. When patients come, they are in need. I try to perceive not just the medical need but the emotional need as well.  I have to be their voice. In their body language, you can see the full interpretation of the whole person. I have to be aware of that, from the doctor all the way to the patient,” Gloria said.

Gloria now resides in Chestnut Hill, is the mother of four, and a grandmother of four (with another one on his way). She enjoys creating art in her free time, and especially enjoys gardening and listening to her favorite tunes at home. Although she has a sizeable family, she says that her work at Mass. Eye and Ear is an extension of this. 

“People now, more than before, look up and smile, they talk to each other! The better we are as human beings, the better we can give ourselves to others. We are meant to be a big family, and family is the most important thing.” she said.  “Interpreting has enriched my life in many ways.  I’m not just helping the patients but the doctors as well, and I’m learning from them as I go.  It gives me great satisfaction to help people.  The things that I learn from them and the love that they give me is just amazing.”