CommunityHealth shines the Volunteer Spotlight on Gary Berrios during April.
Since joining us in November 2022, Gary has contributed an extraordinary 300 hours as a volunteer Spanish medical interpreter. Gary is a certified community interpreter who is dedicated to breaking cultural and linguistic barriers with compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication.
Though he volunteers remotely from outside the U.S., Gary has become an integral part of our remote interpreter community. In 2025, the clinic was thrilled to welcome him onsite for two weeks of high‑quality volunteer shifts. After three years of virtual collaboration, sharing our clinic and the city of Chicago with him was an honor and a joy!
For his committed volunteer service, Gary was awarded 2025 Clinic Volunteer of the Year for Spanish Interpreting for the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards.
CommunityHealth sat down with Gary to learn more about what quality health care for all means to him…
Tell us more about yourself and your background.
I’m a proud Nuyorican raised in Queens, NY. I was brought up in between cultures
speaking both Spanish and English. It was very tough at first but, in retrospect, it shaped
me into who I am today. I moved to Europe where I learned to speak French and Italian. I
love learning languages and traveling around the world.
What is your favorite memory from your time with CommunityHealth?
My favorite memory was volunteering on site at the Lederman Family Health Center in
May 2025. It was a very special moment for me because it was the first time I volunteered
at a health center as a certified community interpreter.
Why and how did you begin volunteering at CommunityHealth?
CommunityHealth gave me an opportunity to perfect my interpreting skills in a medical
setting and eventually become a qualified interpreter to give back to the community.
Do you remember your first day? What surprised you?
I was surprised to see how much support and solidarity there is. You can really see the
notion of community with its daily huddles and Interpreter Engagement Club sessions.
Even though I am volunteering from Europe, I still feel that I am part of the community.
What has kept you volunteering all this time?
The love for CommunityHealth and for what they stand for. In these trying times,
CommunityHealth has never stopped advocating for migrant and refugee rights to
healthcare. I am proud to be a member.
What is something you learned from volunteering at CommunityHealth
Not only has volunteering at CommunityHealth helped me become a community interpreter but it has also taught me to always strive to be a better cultural broker and be an advocate.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your time with CommunityHealth?
My biggest takeaway from my time with CommunityHealth is that it has given me the
opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in my studies in an actual medical environment. This opportunity would help me further develop my skills and confidence to collaborate with other health organizations and agencies
What does being a healthcare professional mean to you?
To me, a medical interpreter is a healthcare professional. I feel that I am an ally for both
the LEP patients and the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. In my case, it
means facilitating communication and being a cultural broker so that healthcare is
equally provided.
What advice would you give to new volunteers at CommunityHealth?
Keep a journal where you can write down what you learned and your experiences at
CommunityHealth, it will show you how much you have grown as a healthcare
professional. Do not be afraid to reach out for help or advice, we are all in a
supportive learning environment. It is easy to believe that we are alone this journey.
What is the best piece of personal or professional advice you have received?
Learning to say no.
