Hello, I’m Fiona Grace Peterson, a CELTA qualified EFL teacher with a background in healthcare.
A little about me
Everybody’s heart is different.
Like a tortuous artery, my own career path has been full of twists and turns. But at its core has always been the desire to work in the medical field and to make an impact on other’s lives. My childhood dream of becoming a vet dashed by my ineptitude at maths, I leaned into languages and began working in teaching and translation after graduation.
Encouraged to apply for nursing by a colleague while volunteering for the Italian ambulance service, my degree from the University of Bologna gave me first-hand experience in areas as diverse as cardiology, general surgery, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, accident and emergency and mental health.
During the course, however, I realised that my true strengths lay in communication rather than in hands-on nursing care, leading me to combine my language and medical expertise as a medical translator and medical English trainer, supporting Italian healthcare professionals in their daily professional communication.
Why Galvanise?
Clear and accurate communication is vital to everyone in the healthcare industry, and is associated with increased patient satisfaction, compliance and better overall health status.
Unfortunately, the Italian education system has a poor track record when it comes to teaching languages, from primary school to university level, stuffing its learners full of grammar while offering extremely limited opportunities to shape that theory into meaningful communication.
With its emphasis on speaking and listening, Galvanise! aims to equip Italian healthcare professionals like you with the skills to communicate clearly and accurately so you can deliver high-quality care in English, reducing the risk of errors and injury and ensuring the best possible health outcomes.
Why choose me?
CELTA qualified, giving me the training and skills needed to plan effective and engaging lessons that deliver the results you need
Nursing graduate. Three years of study, 34 exams and 1400 hours of clinical placements have given me a first hand experience of how the healthcare system runs, medical terminology and the needs of patients and HCPs in different departments.
10 + years experience in the Italian healthcare system as a student nurse, ambulance crew member and medical translator, giving me a unique insight into the healthcare communications and terminology used every day on the wards and in consulting rooms
A lifelong language learner (Italian, German and Scottish Gaelic) means I understand the unique challenges you face as someone who wants to improve your language skills