DIRECTOR’S PAGE

 Maria Schwieter was raised in La Paz, Bolivia and came to this country when she was 20 years old to attend college.  She graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in psychology.  She later went on to obtain a B.S. in nursing at Valparaiso University, Indiana, and a Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling at IUSB.  She has worked as a trauma nurse specialist, diabetes educator, medical interpreter at Memorial hospital, nursing instructor at Brown Mackie College, and as an advanced cardiac support and CPR instructor.  She authored and taught the first medical interpreters class in upstate Indiana.  Maria was also instrumental in starting the first Hispanic diabetes education program and Hispanic Gestational diabetes program for Memorial hospital, South Bend.  She currently works as a bilingual mental health counselor specializing in play therapy. 

Maria has served on the board of directors of the Hispanic Leadership Coalition in South Bend, Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters, and is president and founder of the Northern Indiana Medical Interpreters Association.  She has been involved in serving the Hispanic community in the northern Indiana area for the last 13 years.  She is dedicated to enhancing the quality of our community by upholding the vision and missions of El Puente.