José A. Núñez-Hernández, Ph.D.
Oklahoma City
Summary
Dedicated language education professional with proven ability to enhance language proficiency and cultural awareness. Extensive background in curriculum development and student engagement. Focus on collaborative efforts and achieving educational goals, adaptable to evolving academic needs. Proven skills in Spanish language instruction and cultural competency. Strong communicator with passion for achieving educational excellence and fostering student growth. Reliable team player who thrives in dynamic academic settings.
Moreover, professional Medical Interpreter/Translator with solid background in Spanish/English interpretation. Adept at facilitating clear and accurate communication between Spanish and English speakers in various healthcare settings. Demonstrated ability to manage complex linguistic nuances and maintain confidentiality.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Spanish Interpreter/Translator
OU Health
10.2008 - Current
Delivering high-quality oral interpretation between Spanish- and English-speaking patients and healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient settings. Interpret complex medical terminology related to diagnoses, procedures, medications, and treatment plans. Bridging linguistic and cultural barriers to promote patient understanding, informed decision-making, and quality of care. Maintaining strict confidentiality and follow professional ethical guidelines. Collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support patient-centered communication.
Spanish Instructor
University of Oklahoma
09.2016 - 12.2025
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance language acquisition.
- Facilitated immersive cultural experiences to deepen students' understanding of Spanish-speaking countries.
- Assessed student progress through evaluations, providing targeted feedback for improvement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects integrating language skills with other subjects.
- Utilized digital tools and resources to support interactive learning environments.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities within the classroom.
- Provided one-on-one support for students struggling with course material, leading to improved comprehension and success rates.
- Utilized authentic materials such as newspapers, websites, podcasts in class assignments to enhance language fluency among students.
- Boosted student engagement by integrating multimedia resources and interactive exercises in the curriculum.
- Developed strong rapport with students through open communication channels, contributing to a supportive learning environment where all individuals felt valued.
- Established strong relationships with community partners, connecting students with native speakers for cultural exchange activities and real-world language practice.
- Continually sought opportunities for personal growth and development in the field of language instruction, attending conferences and workshops to stay abreast of best practices.
- Conducted foreign language exams to determine fluency and comprehension.
- Spoke to students in non-native language to challenge students and introduce students to non-native speaking environments.
- Explained concepts and assignments in both native and non-native languages.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Promoted culture of inclusion, respect and collaboration in classroom.
- Developed and implemented variety of instructional strategies to meet diverse needs of students.
Education
Ph.D. - Spanish
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK12-2025
Master of Arts - Spanish
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK05-2018
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish
University of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK05-2016
Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist - Medical Assistant & Phlebotomist Certification
Oklahoma Health Academy
Oklahoma City, OK01.2012
Associate of Science - Sciences
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK01.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of Pinar Del Río
Pinar Del Río, Cuba.01.2003
Skills
- Fluent in Spanish
- Verbal communication
- Memory retention
- Translation services
- Confidentiality practices
- Sight translation
- Fluent English
- Interpersonal communication
- Telephone interpreting
- Relationship building
- Glossary development
- Consecutive interpreting expertise
- Customer service expertise
- Technical terminology
- Documentation skills
- Cross-cultural communication
- Code of ethics
- Language pair specialization
- Language teaching
- Simultaneous translations experience
- Language proficiency testing
- Intercultural sensitivity
- Interpretation
- Consecutive interpretation
- Simultaneous translations skills
- Simultaneous interpretation
- Attention to detail
- Ethical codes adherence
- Oral communication skills
- Patience and empathy
- Language pedagogy
- Academic writing
- Online teaching experience
- Research
- Motivation and engagement
- Native speaker proficiency
- Advanced spanish fluency
- Teaching methodologies
- Spanish literature expertise
- Cultural history
- Classroom management
- Student engagement
- Lesson planning
- Activity planning
- Student motivation
- Group and individual instruction
- Interactive teaching
- Continuous professional development
- Classroom instruction
- Cultural awareness
- Cultural immersion
- Faculty collaboration
Certification
- ATA American Translators Association (2023).
- LASA Latin American Studies Association, 2019-Current.
- SCMLA South Central Modern Language Association (SCMLA), 2016-Current.
- Tierra Tinta Organization University of Oklahoma, Student Organization, Treasurer (2016).
- Spanish Interpreter/Translator Certification OUHealth (2008).
Timeline
Spanish Instructor
University of Oklahoma
09.2016 - 12.2025
Lead Spanish Interpreter/Translator
OU Health
10.2008 - Current
Ph.D. - Spanish
University of Oklahoma
Master of Arts - Spanish
University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish
University of Central Oklahoma
Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist - Medical Assistant & Phlebotomist Certification
Oklahoma Health Academy
Associate of Science - Sciences
Oklahoma City Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of Pinar Del Río
AWARDS
- Nancy L. Mergler and Bullard Dissertation Completion Fellowship Award, University of Oklahoma, Fall 2022-Spring 2023.
- Provost Certificate of Distinction in Teaching for Outstanding Graduate Assistants, University of Oklahoma, Spring 2021.
- Hazel Brakeil Perrault Scholarship. Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. University of Oklahoma, Spring 2020.
- Provost Certificate of Distinction in Teaching for Outstanding Graduate Assistants, University of Oklahoma, Spring 2018.
PUBLICATIONS
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Muerte, violencia y subjetividad: un trinomio temático en la narrativa breve de Claudia Hernández”. Revista Chilena de Literatura, No. 104, Nov. 2021.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. IX Concurso de Poesía Versos en el aire. Diversidad Literaria. Madrid, España. Nov. 2019.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. I Certamen de Poetas Unidos, Poemas. Ediciones Cerezo, España. Oct. 2016.
- TALKS
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Growing up in Communist Cuba.” Talk presented at The University of Oklahoma, Fall 2016.
- CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. Electra Garrigó: Deconstrucción del discurso patriarcal en el teatro cubano del siglo XX. COLOQUIO INTERNACIONAL “HUMOR, IRONÍA, PARODIA Y OTRAS TRETAS DE LAS MUJERES PARA RE/DES/CONSTRUIR LA HISTORIA Y LA CULTURA LATINOAMERICANA Y CARIBEÑA”. Casa de las Américas, La Habana, Cuba, Feb.17-21, 2020.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: sincretismo en la poética barroca novohispana”. Tierra Tinta Conference, University of Oklahoma, Oct. 2019.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Dos perspectivas críticas de La Celestina”. Tierra Tinta Conference, University of Oklahoma, Oct. 2018.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Luces y Sombras. Poemario”. Tierra Tinta Conference, University of Oklahoma, Oct. 2018.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “El Gran Encuentro: vestigios transculturales en los primeros escritos históricos coloniales”. SMLA 17th. Conference, San Antonio, TX, Oct. 2018.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Sancho Panza: personificación de la sapiencia popular en El Quijote”. Tierra Tinta Conference, University of Oklahoma, Oct. 2017.
- Núñez-Hernández, José A. “Octavio Paz y Duncan Bridgeman: paralelos analógicos de una identidad”. SCMLA 16th. Conference Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oct. 2016.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Fall 2025 SPAN 2113 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2025 SPAN 3733 (1 Course), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2025 SPAN 2113 (1 Course), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2024 SPAN 2113 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2024 SPAN 2113 (1 Course), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2024 SPAN 3733 Medical Spanish, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2023 SPAN 1225 (1 course online), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2022 SPAN 1225 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2021 SPAN 2113, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2021 SPAN 3113 Medical Spanish, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2021 SPAN 3733 Medical Spa. Online, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2021 SPAN 2113 Online, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2020 SPAN 1115 (2 Courses Online), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2020 SPAN 2113 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2019 SPAN 1225 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2019 SPAN 2113 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma. Norman, OK.
- Fall 2018 SPAN 1225 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2018 SPAN 2113 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2017 SPAN 2113 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2017 SPAN 1225 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Fall 2016 SPAN 1225 (2 Courses), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
- Spring 2007 Spanish for Senior Citizens, Metrotechnology Center, OKC, OK.
- Fall 2007 Spanish for Senior Citizens, Metrotechnology Center, OKC, OK.