Harris County Department of Education Translations Coordinator Wendy Utterback and Marketing Coordinator Peyton Keene represented the Department at the Second Annual Language and Health Symposium on Oct. 1. Put on by the University of Houston-Downtown and Houston Interpreters and Translators Association to coincide with International Translators’ Day, the event brought together language service providers, healthcare professionals and educators.

Breakout sessions featured topics that included medical interpreting, cultural competence with AI tools, interpreter training and program development. A “Meet the Translator/Interpreter” luncheon connected professionals and community partners. HCDE sponsored a table at the symposium, and Utterback and Keene shared Department services and resources to best serve Harris County learners.

Supporting initiatives like the symposium strengthen language access, empowers interpreters and translators, and helps improve outcomes for diverse communities.