<p>In New Mexico, where a shortage is acute, Casa de Salud trains college and high-school health apprentices who understand the communities they serve</p><p>“I’ll be getting a little bit closer to you to put the cuff on,” Gisselle Martinez said, demonstrating how to take a manual blood pressure in a trauma-informed manner. “It might be a little tight. Let me know if you feel any discomfort and I can take it off.”</p><p>She’s not a doctor or a nurse – at least, not yet – but a 21-year-old college student. Between classes, Martinez works as a bilingual health apprentice at Casa de Salud, a primary care clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On top of taking vitals, Martinez<strong> </strong>is certified in harm reduction – she can run a needle exchange and give out fentanyl test strips. And she understands how a patient’s trauma and past neglect can show up in an exam room.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/27/bilingual-healthcare-workers-us-casa-de-salud">Continue reading...</a>
World
The US urgently needs more bilingual healthcare workers. This clinic might have the solution
<p>In New Mexico, where a shortage is acute, Casa de Salud trains college and high-school health apprentices who understand the communities they serve</p><p>“I’ll be getting a little bit closer to you to put the cuff on,” Gisselle Martinez said, demonstrating how to take a manual blood pressure in a trauma-informed manner. “It might be a little tight. Let me know if you feel any discomfort and I can take it off.”</p><p>She’s not a doctor or a nurse – at least, not yet – but a 21-year-old college student. Between classes, Martinez works as a bilingual health apprentice at Casa de Salud, a primary care clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On top of taking vitals, Martinez<strong> </strong>is certified in harm reduction – she can run a needle exchange and give out fentanyl test strips. And she understands how a patient’s trauma and past neglect can show up in an exam room.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/27/bilingual-healthcare-workers-us-casa-de-salud">Continue reading...</a>