Breaking barriers: Spanish clinical trial summaries expand access to care

 
 
Alejandra Gonzalez Ruiz

Alejandra Gonzalez Ruiz, MD, says she hopes families see themselves as part of the St. Jude community.

When a child is sick, caregivers often feel scared, confused, and overwhelmed. They want answers, hope, and support. They need a care team that can help them understand what they need to do next. 

“Parents who are looking for health care are not just looking at reputation,” says St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital employee Alejandra Gonzalez Ruiz, MD. “They’re also looking for information that reflects their values and that they’re seen and can understand the messaging. 

“If they have that, they feel empowered to make decisions,” she says. “When medical information is available in our language, it sends a powerful message: We are seen, we are respected, and we belong.”

And that is what St. Jude is all about: breaking down barriers so every child has a chance to thrive. 

 

Families can learn about care, treatment, and support in Spanish through the updated and expanded Care & Treatment site.

Opening doors through language 

Beginning in May 2025, several departments within St. Jude, including Interpreter Services and Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach, worked together on an important project. They relaunched the Spanish site to mirror the 578 pages on the English site, which included clinical trial summaries.

For Maria King, a supervisor in Interpreter Services, this was an incredible project for her team.

“We’re native speakers of the target language, fluent in English, and have a strong background in medical terminology and local cultural norms,” she says. “What truly sets our interpreter team at St. Jude apart is our deep understanding of both the medical language and the unique culture of St. Jude, as we work side by side with families and providers every day. 

“Our job was to ensure that every translated material was not only accurate and clear, but also felt familiar and reassuring to families, wherever they were.”

Group posing for a photo

The Interpreter Services team supports families by helping them understand important medical information in their preferred language.

Every word matters

The project began with 9 interpreters from Interpreter Services. Each of them reviewed clinical trial summaries that had been translated into Spanish. They also reviewed materials such as clinical overviews of conditions, patient referral resources, and patient experience information.

Each page they reviewed ranged from 500–3,000 words. Most reviewers spent an average of 5–8 hours per week on this work.

But for King and her team, the project was about more than just translating words. 

“This kind of work is essential because it ensures that every family who comes to St. Jude feels truly understood, supported and respected,” King says.

Gonzalez Ruiz agrees.

“Language is part of a culture,” she says. “When families have access to critical information in their native language, they feel included, and they’re more likely to engage, ask questions, and make difficult decisions that align with their values.” 

Easing the referral process

For doctors, especially those in Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries, this launch is a powerful tool. Many want to refer patients to St. Jude but have trouble understanding the clinical trial requirements. Now, with the Spanish translation, they can find the information they need faster and help families get care sooner.

Learn more about St. Jude clinical trials in English or in Spanish. Share the information with your health care provider. Ask questions. Get informed. And know that you are part of the St. Jude community. 

 
 

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