Found in Translation November 19, 2024

“A Miracle for Our Patients”: The Incredible Work of Sumaya Florez

Sumaya Florez is more than a staff member at Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic; she is a bridge between patients and healthcare providers, an educator, and an artist who touches lives through her compassionate approach. Her journey from Venezuela to Charleston, South Carolina, is one filled with a dedication to service, creativity, and healing.

Growing up in Venezuela, Sumaya had always felt drawn to helping others. As a medical student, she would regularly embark on boat trips to remote villages, offering medical assistance to those who needed it most. That early experience of traveling to underserved communities left a lasting impact. “I dedicated myself to medicine to help others feel better. It’s so rewarding when you can assist someone and receive a smile in return,” she says.

In 1995, Sumaya received her medical degree from the University of Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela; and in 2002, she completed a Public Health training (MPH) at the University of Miami. Though she could not practice medicine in the U.S., her medical background has been key to her effectiveness as a medical interpreter. Her husband, Hermes Florez, MD, PhD, an Endocrinologist and volunteer at the Clinic, introduced her to the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic after they moved to Charleston in 2020. Soon after, she started volunteering at Roper Hospital as a Minister for Holy Communion, and became aware that the language barrier for the communication between healthcare providers and Spanish-speaking patients was enormous. This inspired her to become an interpreter.

Sumaya joined BIFMC as a volunteer in 2022, and was asked to take on a staff position just two years later.

Clinic Director, Melissa Frank, shares, “With approximately one-third of our active patients speaking only Spanish, the need for a translator has never been more crucial. We were thrilled to have welcomed Sumaya Florez to the Clinic in January of this year. Sumaya has quickly proven to be an invaluable asset, elevating her role to new heights. Whether she is accompanying patients to their surgeries, pre-operative, and post-operative appointments, serving as a Lifestyle Coach through the National Diabetes Prevention Program, or creating visual aids to educate our patients about their conditions, Sumaya has truly transformed her role into something far beyond our expectations. We are incredibly grateful for her ability to break down communication barriers!”

At BIFMC, Sumaya has indeed become an essential part of the clinic, using her bilingual skills to translate and explain complex medical concepts in simple terms. “I wanted to help in a more meaningful way, so I became a trained interpreter,” Sumaya explains. “Now, I help bridge the gap and ensure patients understand how to use their medications or manage their conditions.”

But Sumaya’s talents extend beyond medical interpretation. With her strong background in nutrition, she uses visual aids to help patients grasp the concepts of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. These visuals, often collages of pictures, are carefully designed by Florez herself to simplify the message. “Medical terminology can sometimes be confusing and intimidating,” Sumaya says. “When you convey difficult concepts through simple images, it makes them easier to understand and helps patients feel comfortable and in control.”

The visual approach has already shown success, especially among patients with low health literacy. Sumaya teaches them how to apply lifestyle changes, like the Plate Method for portion control and the importance of regular physical activity. “The majority of the patients have responded very well. Now they understand why these changes are important,” she shares with a smile.

Her passion for visual communication doesn’t stop with healthcare. Sumaya is also an accomplished artist. Inspired by her own background and a love for nature, her art often conveys messages of beauty, peace, and well-being. “I’ve enjoyed drawing since I was a child,” she says, reflecting on her early start in the creative world. “I started painting in 2014 while living in Florida. My native roots have a strong presence in my work, and I love to incorporate nature into my pieces.”

Sumaya’s artwork often features an old key as part of her signature. For her, it represents her Guardian Angel, a symbol of protection and guidance. She now shares her love of art with older adults at the James Island Senior Living Center, where she teaches art classes to help them express themselves creatively.

Back at the clinic, Sumaya is the point person for a pilot project with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) focused on Spanish-language diabetes education. She has taken her role as a patient educator to new heights, helping patients understand their conditions through visual images that resonate with their cultural background and level of understanding.

Sumaya’s medical training, combined with her talents in art and nutrition, has made her an indispensable part of the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic family. “Working at the clinic has been a great and fulfilling experience,” she says. “The staff and volunteers are very compassionate, talented, and work with professionalism to deliver the best care to all our patients in need. It is a blessing to be part of the BIFMC family.”

Medical Director, David Peterseim, MD, has been particularly impressed with Sumaya’s mark upon Clinic operations, noting how indispensable she has become to bridging the gap between patients and their physicians. “Sumaya has exploded with her translation and outreach work for us, using her nutrition skills, all that she has learned in Venezuela, to explain how to use medications, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage chronic diseases. She is a miracle for our patients.”

Sumaya’s story is a testament to the power of giving and the ripple effect one person can have in a community. From her days in Venezuela to her volunteer work in Charleston, she continues to embody the clinic’s mission: no barriers, just care.

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a free clinic in Charleston, SC, that provides free medical care to uninsured adults across Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties. To make a donation, visit bifmc.org. You can sign up for our monthly e-news updates, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.