'Voices in the Shadows:' Liliana’s Story

Liliana Crane (Provided photo)

When Liliana Crane heard a patient in another medical setting calling out for an interpreter, she approached and began interpreting the patient’s Spanish into English for a nurse, who thought it would be better to use a smartphone or digital translation service to help bring the language gap.

It was a moment that stayed with Liliana, inspiring her to write Voices in the Shadows: The Hidden Complexities of Being a Medical Interpreter, which is a powerful reflection on the unique value human interpreters bring to healthcare published in November by John Hopkins University Press.

“I always ask myself,” she says, “Would I want my family treated this way? That question guides how I show up for every patient.”

Liliana has worked as a Spanish medical interpreter for over 17 years and as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) for seven years, including the last four full-time at Monroe Community Hospital. Her dual roles—bridging language gaps and guiding physical recovery—reflect a career rooted in compassion, communication, and cultural understanding.

Her own journey spans continents and cultures. Born in Venezuela to Spanish parents, Liliana completed high school before moving to Germany, Spain, Mexico, France, and eventually the United States. 

At age 21, she arrived in Virginia Beach and enrolled in college without knowing English. She learned the language, earned a degree, and later completed a master’s at Simon Business School.

Her multicultural background has shaped a deep respect for how culture influences care. During a recent trip to Spain, she accompanied her mother to a public hospital and was struck by the efficiency and accessibility of the healthcare system, where patients aren’t burdened with costs or long delays.

At MCH, Liliana’s focus is on removing assumptions, showing empathy, and seeing each patient as she would her own family. “I’ve learned to prioritize what matters: health, family, food, home, education. Not everyone has those, and they’re not to be taken for granted.”

Liliana’s story is a reminder that healing begins with connection, dignity, and respect. Whether she’s interpreting a conversation, helping a patient walk again, or simply listening, she brings humanity to healthcare—one voice at a time.