The Team

Lee Kitchen serves as the program manager for the UAMS Interpreter Program and has been an interpreter at UAMS since 2007. He learned the bulk of his Spanish by studying abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico, for one year. He is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter and holds undergraduate degrees in Spanish and international business, a master’s degree in organizational management and a Master of Divinity.

Veronica Hernandez is a native Spanish speaker from Panama. She has served as both an interpreter and lead translator with the UAMS Interpreter Program since 2011. She also served as a volunteer Spanish interpreter for low income limited English proficiency (LEP) patients in the Little Rock area for five years. Veronica is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter and holds an undergraduate degree in business administration and human resources.

Diana Johnson is a native Spanish speaker from Puerto Rico. She has served as both an interpreter and translator with the UAMS Interpreter Program since 2015. She first interpreted in the health care setting in 2008 and has taught Spanish at the high school and college levels in the United States and overseas. Diana is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter and holds an undergraduate degree in secondary education of English as a second language and a master’s degree in theological studies.

Elizabeth Sweat is a native Spanish speaker. She has served as an interpreter with the UAMS Interpreter Program since 2016. She first interpreted in the health care setting in 2008 and has also interpreted in other fields such as the public school system and financial services. Elizabeth is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter and holds an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and Spanish.