Ed Gleaves

Volunteer Spotlight

Winter 2007: Edwin S. (Ed) Gleaves

Ed Gleaves

Profession: Librarian, library educator, English and history professor

Church Affiliation: Otter Creek Church of Christ. I also serve on the board of the
Disciples of Christ Historical Society.

Role at Clinic: Spanish interpreter; moderator of interpreters’ roundtables

Began Volunteering: 2002

What brought you to Siloam? Simply put, Dr. David Gregory, the founder of Siloam. Through our long friendship with David and Joicelyn Gregory, my wife Janey and I witnessed the humble beginnings of Siloam on 12th Avenue South, a faith-based family clinic for those in the neighborhood who could not afford health care through the normal channels. As the demographics of Nashville changed and became more international, I was given the opportunity to serve as an interpreter for the Spanish-speaking patients, among whom I had worked previously in several Latin American countries — but not in the medical field. Becoming a medical interpreter at Siloam became a major challenge for me in later life, and a most rewarding opportunity for service in the name of Christ.

What keeps you coming back? It’s hard to explain the satisfaction that comes with language interpretation, especially when it is health- related. In this process, the glow of mutual understanding between patient and physician replaces the uncertainty, and even the fear, that non- English speaking patients bring to a medical consultation. It is truly a blessing to be part of this process.

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