Beyond the Barriers Series - More Than Words: The Heart of Language Access, with Prado Antolino

For more than 22 years, Prado Antolino, Director of Language and Communication Access at Moffitt, and her team have worked to ensure that patients who face language barriers, whether they speak Spanish, an indigenous dialect, or a language spoken by only a few thousand people in the world, are not just translated but truly understood. This conversation goes beyond interpreters and legal requirements. It’s about heart. It’s about dignity. It’s about the moment a patient hears their own language spoken in the room and sits up with hope. Because communication isn’t just clinical, sometimes, it’s therapeutic. And sometimes, it’s life-saving. A Special Series from PEP Talks Beyond the Barriers - Patient Access at Moffitt  Beyond the Barriers is a Pep Talks series exploring what Patient Access really means at Moffitt Cancer Center. Access at Moffitt isn’t just about opening doors; it’s about removing barriers. Whether those barriers are language, disability, housing insecurity, financial hardship, religious needs, or something invisible beneath the surface, we believe every patient deserves the same level of care, dignity and hope. In this series, you’ll hear from the people working behind the scenes and at the bedside to ensure that no matter what challenges a patient carries with them, they receive care that is equitable, compassionate and deeply human. Because at Moffitt, one person can make a difference, and access means everyone belongs here.