10 Questions with Jean Claude Butter
The Haitian-Creole medical interpreter at Cape Cod Hospital bridges language and cultural understanding between patient and provider, ensuring nothing is lost in translation.
Jean Claude Butter is constantly on the move at Cape Cod Hospital— traveling between the Emergency Department, oncology, maternity, OB-GYN and hopping on video calls to support patients across the system.
The Haitian-Creole interpreter, who is also fluent in French, ensures patients and providers truly understand one another. He joined Cape Cod Hospital as an interpreter a year and a half ago, but his Cape Cod Healthcare career goes back even further. Before stepping into his current role, he spent six years working as a CNA and home health aide with the VNA of Cape Cod.
When he arrived on the Cape more than 25 years ago, he knew very little English. As Jean Claude navigated language barriers, new cultures and a series of jobs—including working as a dishwasher at a Chatham restaurant—he steadily built a future rooted in helping others.
“I saw the need,” says Jean Claude, reflecting on how his interpreter journey began through his role as director of community outreach at his church. “It was hard for Haitians to explain their diagnosis. The medical terms are very different here,” he says.
Determined to help bridge that gap, he pursued formal training in 2017 at Cape Cod Community College and an online program, completing extensive coursework in medical terminology, survey of anatomy and physiology, along with a 150-hour online internship. He would often carry an English-French dictionary in his pocket while taking classes at the community college to build his English vocabulary.
Today, Jean Claude sees himself as a facilitator of care between the doctor and patient. “I’m always studying, always learning,” says Jean Claude, who sees anywhere from five to 10 patients daily. Beyond translation, he often provides cultural context—explaining, for example, that avoiding eye contact can be a sign of respect in Haitian culture, not disrespect or discomfort. “That’s how we grew up in Haiti.”
We recently sat down with Jean Claude to learn more about his path that led him to medical interpreting, the cultural insights he brings to patient care and what drives his passion for helping others.
1. What do you see as your true purpose when you’re interpreting for a patient?
Making sure communication is accurate. You want to ensure that you say exactly what the doctor says and exactly what the patient says to the doctor. I carry the doctor’s voice and the patient’s voice—I help the doctor give care, and I help the patient receive care.
2. What’s one cultural insight you often share with providers that helps improve care?
Sometimes patients say everything is ‘gas.’ That’s how they explain pain. I explain the situation, so the doctor understands what the patient really means.
3. What work did you do in Haiti?
I worked as a French grammar teacher and as a United Nations volunteer through the International Organization for Migration and the United States Agency for International Development. I also studied construction in Haiti, learning building techniques, creating blueprints and supervising construction projects. When I came here, there was a language barrier, so I took a job as a dishwasher—I just wanted to work.
4. What might surprise people to learn about you?
I’m a minister—a preacher—at my church in Yarmouth. We do a lot of community outreach with WE CAN, Harwich Family Pantry and WIC Cape Cod. I am also a board member of the Council of Churches of Cape Cod in Hyannis and a volunteer at Hyannis Community Action.
5. What holiday is the most meaningful to you—and how do you celebrate it?
Thanksgiving. It’s the sharing that I love. At my church, we give away 235 turkeys to people in need. We’ve been doing that for the last seven years. To have this opportunity to help people—this is huge. I’m very grateful and thankful for the community. People here are so generous.
6. What are some Haitian dishes you love?
Rice and beans—and chicken. I also love soup joumou, a traditional squash soup. Every Haitian has a bowl on January 1 to celebrate Haiti’s Independence Day. Haiti gained independence in 1804 from France. Before this, Haitians were not allowed to eat squash because it was considered too precious. Today, the soup is a symbol of freedom. At my church on New Year’s Eve, we have a big potluck with soup joumou. After the service, everyone sits together and shares squash soup.
7. Do you have a favorite Haitian proverb?
Men anpil chay pa lou. Many hands make work lighter.
8. If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Jamaica. In my church, we have a lot of members from Jamaica. I know the culture and the people very well.
9. Best movie and TV show?
“Coming to America,” starring Eddie Murphy, and “Family Feud” with Steve Harvey.
10. What advice has stayed with you the most?
“Never underestimate yourself. There is a lot of potential in you.” The advice came from a college professor who encouraged me never to doubt my place or my abilities.
