

Leadership Academy

"Medical interpreters typically work independently.  We answer a phone call or walk into a patient room and carry out our important work without the presence of our colleagues.  This can lead to professional isolation which hinders our growth and causes our profession to stagnate.  The IMIA’s Leadership Academy addresses this issue by getting a diverse group of interpreters from across the country to take a close look at the issues facing the medical interpreter profession.  Leadership Academy participants connect with one another, learn from each other, and develop lasting professional relationships.  I highly recommend the Leadership Academy to any medical interpreter interested in playing a leadership role in our young, dynamic profession."
              - Kiara Raazi
Testing Director, National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters
Graduate of the Leadership Academy’s inaugural class


IMIA Language Access Leadership Academy


Leadership is hard to define, but you know when you see it. The IMIA Leadership Academy's goal is to develop interpreters' leadership skills so they have the confidence and authority to make a real difference in their organizations and communities at large. You may feel the desire to take on more of a leadership role than previously or you just know you want to make a difference and have been told you have natural leadership qualities.



Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose. - Bernard Montgomery

This program offers handpicked speakers and topics tailored to equip and prepare professionals in the medical interpreting field who seek to hone their knowledge and skills in support of ongoing and future leadership roles. Our goal is to push each participant to gain a rigorous personal and professional growth, and a new understanding of self, to stretch his/her ‘comfort zones’ into new and challenging territory. True leadership is not just having vision, but actually making things happen. Once you develop your ‘seeing’ skills, you will develop the skills that make things happen, get things unstuck, move things forward. You can look at creating a vision, motivating and inspiring others, setting clear agendas and supporting those who need to help make your vision become a reality.

I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got. - Ralph Lauren


Become a Leadership Academy Fellow: 

$509 for IMIA members
 $699 for non-members  

See program schedule  

100 Important Sites for Healthcare Leaders and Executives

2013-2014 Leadership Academy Presentations 

