About Us
TAPIT Tennessee Association of Professional Interpreters and Translators
Tennessee’s Language Bridge
We celebrate that TAPIT incorporated as a non-profit organization in August 2004… we are celebrating our twentieth anniversary!!
TAPIT is a professional organization of interpreters and translators specializing in spoken, written, and signed languages. Our members are experts in a variety of fields, including court, medical, and community interpreting, as well as document translation.
By bridging language gaps and breaking down communication barriers, TAPIT ensures effective interaction between individuals with and without English proficiency across both
About Tapit
Our mission is to elevate the professional image of translators and interpreters by educating the public and language service users while emphasizing the importance of certification and language proficiency. TAPIT unites court, medical, community, and sign language interpreters and translators in Tennessee, fostering collaboration and addressing common interests to build a strong statewide presence that:
- Advocates for and promotes the interests of interpreters and translators in Tennessee.
- Upholds the highest ethical and professional standards in the fields of interpreting and translation.
- Provides a platform for discussion of language access and professional issues affecting interpreters, translators, courts, legal and healthcare services, educational institutions, and business and individuals contracting for language services.
- Communicates the latest industry news.
- Organizes and delivers training courses and workshops for interpreter and translator professional development.
- Serves as an advisory resource for interpreters, translators, courts, legal professionals, law enforcement, healthcare providers, businesses, and educational institutions on matters related to the interpreting and translation professions.
Our Board
TAPIT’s Board of Directors is elected by TAPIT active members in good standing, according to our bylaws. Our next Election will be in November 2024.
President (Elected 2023) Coral Getino, Ph.D, CCI, CHI-Spanish
A native of Spain, Coral has lived in Knoxville (East Tennessee) since 1990. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and was a scientist at ORNL and Spanish lecturer at the University of Tennessee before working in translation and interpreting full time. She is a Spanish certified interpreter by the TN Supreme Court and CCHI, and has been a Spanish editor and translator for almost 20 years, working on educational reading materials. She is the owner of a small agency (Spanish Language Solutions, Inc.) which provides various language services in medical, legal, business, and educational settings. She served in the TAPIT Board as a Member-at-Large in 2007 and in 2023.
President Elect (Elected 2024) Richard Ponce-de-Leon, ms
Richard Ponce de Leon leads training and language access initiatives at the Tennessee Language Center. In this role, he develops and manages training programs for language interpreters and translators, alongside intercultural communication initiatives tailored for both public and private institutions. His expertise extends to providing technical guidance to local governments and organizations on matters concerning language access. He has a background in Linguistics, and has interpreting experience in legal, medical, and educational settings. He is a Certified Public Manager, a Certified Court Interpreter in the State of Tennessee and holds a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Secretary (Elected 2023) John Mark Maust, RCI
Born to North American parents in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, John Mark lived in four countries in his childhood (Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the United States). Bi-lingual and trans-cultural, he served as a volunteer interpreter from a young age. He studied a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Master of Arts in Romance Languages from the University of New Orleans. John Mark is a registered court interpreter, and is currently studying a Master's Degree in Professional English-Spanish Translation, while also working in Tennessee courts and hospitals, teaching college level courses, and pursuing his hobby of nature photography.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE (ELECTED 2024) Maria Belen Miller, CMI-Spanish
Maria Belen Miller, born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, has a 14-year career in interpretation, specializing in legal and immigration settings. With a background in Business Administration, she is a Certified Medical Interpreter, Registered Court Interpreter, and Immigration Court Interpreter, ensuring clear communication in high-stakes situations. Passionate about justice and professional growth, she aims to further her expertise in legal interpreting and advocates for better working conditions for interpreters in Tennessee. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE (ELECTED 2024) HEBBA ABULSAAD
Hebba Abulsaad has over 25 years of experience as a freelance interpreter, translator, lecturer, and program manager, with two decades as a client liaison for independent and corporate businesses. In the U.S., she has worked as an Arabic-English legal, medical, and community interpreter for over 15 years, also teaching Arabic and interpreter workshops. She holds multiple certifications, including TN Arabic Certified Court Interpreter, CCHI Certified Healthcare Interpreter, and ATA Certified Credentialed Interpreter. Hebba earned a master’s in translation and interpreting from the University of Illinois and has served on the boards of NAJIT and TAPIT.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE (ELECTED 2024) BARBARA DERTHICK
A Court Certified Spanish Interpreter for 11 years, primarily in Hamilton County Criminal Court, also a Registered Nurse who last worked during the pandemic. Holding an RN degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a minor in Spanish alongside a major in International Relations from UC, she began their career in Guatemala with the Peace Corps, where she met her spouse. Later, she lived in Chattanooga, home to many immigrants from the same Guatemalan region, and spent two years in Colombia with the Mennonite Central Committee. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, line dancing, watching Spanish movies, and spending time with her grandchildren.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE (ELECTED 2024) ELEAZAR JIMENEZ
Eleazar, born in Baja California and raised in California, began his career as a Certified Electronic Technician before transitioning into medical interpreting after witnessing the struggles of immigrant field workers. While working in sales management, he volunteered for pro bono legal services, later training as a Legal and Medical Interpreter through TFLI/TLC, TAPIT, and IMIA, where he was awarded Best International Spanish Interpreter in 2017. Since 2011, he has worked as a Medical Interpreter at TFLI/TLC and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, specializing in level-one trauma, ER, and palliative care.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE (ELECTED 2024) NEVIEN KHALIL
I am a seasoned medical interpreter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Egypt, I earned a medical degree before relocating to Tennessee in 2001. Since 2007, I have worked as a dedicated medical interpreter, bridging the gap between healthcare professionals and underserved patients. Passionate about advocacy, I am committed to helping patients navigate the challenges of language and cultural barriers in the healthcare system. My extensive background in medicine, combined with my experience as an interpreter, drives my mission to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.
ADVISORY BOARD
TAPIT is very lucky to have a group of advisors who were appointed to furnish insight and guidance to the board, having each contributed greatly to our organization and the profession. Our current Advisory Board includes three founding members (Marvyn Tipps, Judith Kenigson Kristy, and Nick Perez.)
Marvyn Tipps, Ph.D, President Emeritus
Judith Kenigson Kristy, Life Member
Hope Collins, Past President
Nick Perez, Past Treasurer
Dennis Caffrey, Past Treasurer