May 2, 2025#WeAreNorthern
Meet Kire Stankovski, Macedonian Interpreter and Translator, Transcultural and Language Services (TALS), Northern Health.
Q: Firstly, let’s start with your coffee order.
A: Whenever I order coffee, my favourite is cappuccino. At home, I also enjoy Lavazza.
Q: Tell us about your role at Northern Health.
A: I am a Macedonian interpreter and translator at Northern Health, part of the TALS department. I joined Northern Health in 2015, and I really enjoy what I do. In my younger years, while attending university, I used to interpret, so I have been working in this profession for a long time.
Q: What is the best part of working as an interpreter?
A: The best part of working as an interpreter is the satisfaction of knowing that I am helping people with their health. It is a real privilege to be part of Northern Health, and it gives me great pleasure to know that I make a difference in people’s lives by helping them better understand their health issues. At the same time, working alongside clinicians, nurses, other health professionals, and administrative staff brings me a great deal of satisfaction.
Q: Tell us how you resonate with Northern Health values of Safe, Kind and Together?
A: The values of Northern Health resonate with me strongly. I have received feedback from a number of patients and clinicians expressing their gratitude for the help I have given them, the service I have provided, and the way I interact with them. Facilitating communication between patients and health professionals is central to my role, as it helps keep patients safe by ensuring they understand what is happening with their health. For the record, I received the TALS Staff Recognition Award as the ‘2024 Kindness Champion.’
Q: If you weren’t an interpreter, what would you have been instead?
A: I have had a varied career, working in payroll, teaching, respite coordination, case management, running my own home support services business, and serving as a Direct Care Manager for another service provider. However, interpreting is definitely one of the most rewarding roles I have undertaken.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Be patient, be open to new ideas, try different occupations and learn new skills along the way!
Q: Favourite book or movie and why?
A: I usually enjoy watching films based on true events and reading books about history. I have always found history and the real-life experiences of others fascinating. In saying that, Official Secrets is one of the best movies I have seen recently.
Q: Favourite place to travel and why?
A: I have done a fair bit of travelling over the years, and each country I have visited has been exceptional and enjoyable. I have to mention Canada and New Zealand as two countries that really stood out. However, given my Macedonian background and the fact that I spent my childhood there, I have to say that Macedonia is my favourite destination. Macedonia offers so much to visitors, including a rich history, beautiful landscapes, and very friendly, welcoming people.
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: I’m a very good listener, and I’m also skilled at diffusing arguments and conflicts. However, my real hidden talent is that I can give a great massage!
