Language and Communication Help

There are many ways that people communicate. We are committed to making communication easy and comfortable for all our patients and their families. We’ll make sure you understand your care team and they understand you.
How we can help
Language services

We have free interpreters available 24 hours a day, every day. Our team can interpret in any language, including sign languages. They can help you in person, by phone, or by video call.

We can also translate the following into your preferred language:

  • Forms and documents
  • Educational and informational materials
  • Messages from your care team
Communication aids & services

We have other resources to help you, including:

  • Large-print documents
  • Audio (spoken) recordings
  • Accessible electronic materials
  • Magnifying sheets
  • Digital voice recorders
  • Braille printing (may take a few days)
  • Hearing amplifiers
  • Captioned telephones
  • Communication boards
  • White dry-erase board
Get in touch with the language and communication team
MSK patient Beatriz and a young girl hugging while walking along a wooded path with a wooden fence.
My interpreter kept us informed and ensured we understood everything we needed to know about my treatment.
Beatriz Galvan, a native Spanish speaker, was treated for breast cancer at MSK.
Read her story
How to get help

You don’t need to speak, read, or write in English to ask for help. If you need an interpreter, information translated, or any other communication aid at any point throughout your care, you can:

  • Ask for help when you register as a patient at MSK
  • Tell anyone on your care team
  • Contact the language and communication team directly
Get in touch with the language and communication team
Nondiscrimination Statement: Discrimination Is Against the Law

Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases complies with applicable federal, state and local civil rights and healthcare laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, sex, national or ethnic origin, marital, caregiver, familial or partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or transgender status, citizenship status or alienage, disability, status in the uniformed services of the United States (including veteran status), or any other status protected by law.

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