Public Health & Equity Sign Language Interpreter Program C.C.S.

The state's first interpreting program was established through an innovative partnership between Rhode Island College, the Rhode Island Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Rhode Island Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

In this new program, students will learn integrated approaches to interpreting in medical, mental health and behavioral health settings. In public health-care systems across the country, inequities exist for the Deaf community. Lack of access to health care and to culturally/linguistically competent professionals are core issues contributing to health outcome disparities. Bridging the cultural and communication gap between the Deaf community and health providers is paramount.

Public Health & Equity Sign Language Interpreter Program (PHESLIP) Instructors

Jeremy Quiroga, MFA, CDI

Jeremy Quiroga, MFA, CDI continues to share his love of life and his language through workshops and performances nationally.  He started out as a medical interpreter by becoming the first staff CDI for the University of Rochester Medical Center. From that point forward medical interpreting became his focus. By combining his CATIE Center training, his ASL mastery skills & life experience, Jeremy provides interpreter workshops with a phenomenal range of tools for the medical setting. Currently, Jeremy works as VRI interpreter in medical setting. 

Carla Shird, MA, LPC, CDI

Carla Shird is a certified deaf interpreter and a mental health therapist. She received her B.S. from Howard University in psychology and her M.A. in mental health counseling from Gallaudet University. Third is currently a freelance interpreter, therapist, mentor and presenter. She has expertise in providing workshops on diversity and privilege, consultation, mentorship and mental health counseling. She is passionate about helping people to create self-awareness, self-care and become more connected with themselves, others and their personal and professional goals.

Makoto Ikegami, DSW, MSW, LCSW

Dr. Ikegami teaches a Behavioral Health module in Rhode Island College's Public Health and Equity Sign Language Interpreting Program. He also teaches Diversity and Oppression in a Social Work Context at Arizona State University. He works as a private practitioner, providing tele-mental health services through National Deaf Therapy. Dr. Ikegami is the president of Deaf Access to Quality Life, an organization dedicated to improving accessibility to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. He is also a therapist at CaringWorks and offers substance abuse assessments, case management, individual and group psychotherapy, and crisis counseling. In addition, he maintains his licenses for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, and New York.

Dr. Ikegami received his Master of Social Work (MSW) from Gallaudet University in 2009 and received his Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Walden University in 2019. The title of his dissertation is Social Workers’ Experiences with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People with Mental Illness. He has made a numerous presentations related to addiction and mental health.

Dr. Ikegami serves as the President-Elect for The American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association. He also serves as an Alternate for National Association of Social Workers National Association of Social Workers. He serves as an Advisory Committee Member for BRIDGES Deaf Advocacy Program: Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Signed by Stories. Lastly, he is also a Founding Board Member for the National Asian Pacific Islander Deaf Coalition.