At Four Diamonds, our mission is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting kids treated at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research. We believe in a holistic approach to childhood cancer treatment, meaning we not only treat the disease, but we also care for the child’s well-being and their family.
As part of this philosophy, we fund more than 30 specialty care providers to exclusively serve the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and their families.
These care providers include child life specialists, social workers, music therapists, nurse specialists, a clinical nutritionist, a psychologist, a pharmacist, a genetics counselor, a neuropsychologist, a chaplain and our newest specialty care provider, a medical interpreter.
Daniel Moreno Torres, our medical interpreter, specializes in Spanish to English translations. Working solely in the pediatric hematology-oncology unit, he acts as a voice for our Spanish speaking children and families, ensuring they receive world-class care and support throughout their treatment.
Meet Daniel: Four Diamonds’ Medical Interpreter
When did you start working at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital?
Daniel began working at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital on October 7, 2024. He works in the pediatric hematology-oncology outpatient clinic, where he meets Four Diamonds families as they arrive for treatment. If needed, he will travel with the patient and their family to other areas of the hospital to provide translation services.
What is your background?
Originally from Colombia, Daniel worked in the transportation industry while attending school to receive a degree in teaching English. Before working at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, Daniel worked at Bethany Children’s Home, where he was a translator for children living at the home. What Daniel enjoyed most about his work at Bethany was spending time with children, so he is excited to be in his new role at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and continue working with kids.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Daniel spends his day being a voice for Spanish speaking families throughout their treatments and appointments. Typically, he will see 3 to 4 patients a day. When a patient has an appointment, Daniel will accompany them throughout their visit to translate to nurses, doctors and other hospital staff. He also helps the family navigate the hospital and will travel with them to other areas if needed. During waiting periods, Daniel spends time getting to know the family and connects with them on a personal level.
What are some common misconceptions of your role?
As a medical interpreter, Daniel is more than just a translator. He does more than just repeat the words in a different language, he works to bridge the cultural gap in addition to the communication barrier. When he translates, he also explains the cultural differences and puts the information in a context the recipient(s) will understand.
What are you most looking forward to?
Daniel is looking forward to supporting families at the hospital. A child’s cancer journey can be overwhelming and stressful, and Daniel wants to help alleviate some of the stress by helping provide better communication for the patient, their family and the medical staff. By acting as a voice for our Spanish speaking patients and families, Daniel can ensure they receive world-class care and support.