Lynn Fors, MA, CHI TM
Executive Director
“I am a lifelong advocate for limited-English proficient populations with a passion for eliminating obstacles to equal access to services. I am dedicated to finding comprehensive, cost-effective language access solutions and to give a voice to the linguistically isolated.”
Meet The Founder
Through studies and immersion Lynn became fluent in Spanish in her mid to late 20s. She used this skill in her AmeriCorps VISTA position in Lowell, MA where she worked to prepare limited-English speaking families without immunization records for kindergarten registration. After earning a master's degree in Spanish Literature from the University of New Hampshire she found herself relocating to Lexington, KY where she spent 4 years teaching Spanish at Sayre School. A volunteer interpreter position led to a new job at Saint Joseph Hospital. She was the first Spanish interpreter hired by a Lexington hospital and she spent 16 years developing and implementing their Language & Cultural Services program. In 2017 she founded Access Language Solutions to help fill in the communication gaps in local non-profits, local government and independent medical/dental offices. She especially enjoys providing Guatemalan and Mexican indigenous langauge interpreting for this often overlooked population. Her bucket list includes visiting every Spanish-speaking country.
Awards
- In 2013 she was the recipient of the International Medical Interpreter Association’s Raquel Cashman Language Award which recognizes the achievements of individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to improving patient safety and language access in health care.
- The Friend of Languages Award was given to Lynn in 2018 by the Kentucky World Languages Association as recognition of someone not directly involved in teaching but who has made significant contributions to the profession.
- In 2020 as the pandemic created communication issues for our limited-English proficient population, Lynn assisted in gathering qualified linguists to translate and record vital health information. This resulted in two more awards: Kentucky Colonel and another Friend of Languages Award (Language Access Team, Governor Beshear’s Administration).
Board Members
Morgan Kirkland, MA Chair
Morgan Kirkland is a Central Kentucky native with fluency in English and Spanish. Developing her fluency in Spanish through a mixture of local community service and international study, Morgan earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s Degree in Spanish from the University of Louisville. Morgan served as a medical interpreter, workers’ compensation interpreter, and translator for over a decade, researching and establishing business practices and developing staff interpreters. She eventually transitioned into leadership and development roles at Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance, where she now serves as the Director of Claims.
Elizabeth Harned, Secretary
Elizabeth is a French speaker having gotten her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College in Vermont. Her studies included living in Paris, France. Elizabeth is a recent Midway University Nursing School graduate. In the past, she taught at Sayre School. Elizabeth lives in Lexington with her two children and three rescue dogs.
Cara Martinez, CMI-Spanish, Treasurer
Cara began her career in medical interpreting in 2005. She has held a variety of positions in different healthcare settings—from freelance to staff interpreter to Interpreter Services Manager. As the former System Manager of Language & Cultural Services for KentuckyOne Health, Cara and her team focused on providing high-quality, safe care for LEP and Deaf/Hard of Hearing patients and families while creating an Integrated program aligned with Title VI, ADA, and Joint Commission standards. In her current role, Cara supports accreditation, certification, and regulatory compliance for Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky.
Nathalie Dietrich, CMI
Nathalie [she/her/hers] is trilingual (English, Spanish, German). She is a nationally Certified Medical Interpreter, CMI, and has worked in the past as a DOJ-Accredited Representative at Maxwell Street Legal Clinic. She lives in Lexington with her two kids and volunteers as a medical interpreter with Surgery on Sunday. Currently, Nathalie is working as Clinical Research Coordinator at the UK Infectious Disease out-patient clinic.
BayLeigh Routt
BayLeigh [she/her/hers] is an innovative content strategist experienced in strengthening digital marketing strategies and developing other creative initiatives. While studying both Spanish and Writing, Rhetoric & Communication at Transylvania University, BayLeigh discovered her passion for storytelling and her heart for advocacy. As a former AmeriCorps VISTA, she has a strong background in nonprofit administration, fundraising, capacity building, and event coordination. BayLeigh also worked with the Kentucky Interpreter and Translator Association, where she experienced the importance of language access and the value of open communication within the community. With a passion for storytelling and advocacy, BayLeigh is looking to make a change, the digital way.
We Are Honored To Serve
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
Community Response Coalition
Surgery on Sunday
Neighbors Immigration Clinic
Lexington Habitat for Humanity
we are proud members of
Association of Language Companies
KITA
Lexington Nonprofit Network
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels