ABOUT US
Our family business embraces communication, connection, and collaboration.
Our Story
In the early 1980s, founder Joyce Dworsky (Srour) was a health care professional learning sign language and teaching CPR in her spare time. That unique combination led to a training session for Gallaudet University’s students, and two days after her successful CPR class, she got a call from Deaf Pride, the primary organization in DC that worked with the Deaf community and sign language interpreters. A student at Gallaudet, who had been in the recent CPR class, requested that Joyce interpret an up-coming meeting. This opportunity segued into other assignments and Joyce realized there was an opportunity to get more involved in the deaf and interpreting worlds so she began a quest for more formal training.
Joyce was accepted into the Gallaudet Interpreter Consortium and later became certified through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). In 1987, responding to a growing need, she turned her love for interpreting into Vital Signs. As time went on, Joyce also trained as a C-Print captionist and later, a TypeWell transcriber and voice writer. Speech-To-Text, including CART and TypeWell, were added to interpreting services to accommodate the variety of requests from universities, government agencies, and the private sector.
Now the original mission of Vital Signs to serve the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community has grown to become a multi-generational family business.
Today, Vital Signs is led by both Joyce and her son-in-law, Avi Siegel, a passionate leader and entrepreneur. After joining the family, Avi began studying ASL at Gallaudet. He continues to fuel his lifelong learning personality by taking additional courses in ASL and hanging out with Deaf friends and more.
Avi utilizes an employee-centric approach to business success, emphasizing culture and connection at the heart of everything we do. He is expanding the team’s impact, while remaining wholly committed to maintaining a family atmosphere where the needs of people, both clients and employees, always come first.
Our People
Joyce Dworsky (Srour)
Owner of Vital Signs LLC
Beyond her roles as owner and Certified Interpreter and Transcriber, Joyce also volunteers at a local food bank. Although she is a home-body at heart, she often travels to visit family abroad, with her husband Nino, and explore other parts of the US. Joyce loves working in a profession that epitomizes the word teamwork, and is proud that Vital Signs makes a difference.
Avi Siegel
Chief Executive Officer
Business has always been Avi's passion. He is a lifelong learner devouring as many business books as possible on Audible. He chases his quest of self-improvement professionally as well as personally. Avi loves playing board games and sports with his wife, Brenah, and their three children. In his spare time, Avi can be found researching nutrition and exercising.
Ashley Schreiber
Director of Operations
Ashley holds a certificate in both ASL (American Sign Language) and ITP (interpreter training program). Ashley is also a trained TypeWell Transcriber, She loves to crochet and knit, read, and garden. She also loves to bake for her family, including husband, Jeremy, her five children (Emily, RJ, Kyle, Preston, and Joey), and her grandson, Linus. She also has two Siberian Forest cats.
Jessica Wroten
Project Administrator
Jessica loves the teamwork and collaboration at Vital Signs. She and her husband are the parents of three children - two beautiful girls and a handsome boy. She enjoys being outside, going to the beach, playing with the kids, and reading. She also has two black cats and a puggle dog.
Mindy started with Vital Signs as a transcriber, and then transitioned to the admin team. With a background as a Certified Meeting Professional, she now uses her organizational skills and service-oriented attitude to make sure every assignment is filled. Mindy enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, and making candles, soaps, and blankets. She also is a member of the Frederick Community College handbell choir. Mindy has a B.S. in education from Bloomsburg University of PA and is the proud mom of three grown sons.
Mindy McWilliams
Service Coordinator (STT)
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Brittany Taylor
Service Coordinator (ASL)
Brittany holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication & Leadership along with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She loves her family and is a proud mom to her wonderful daughter and German Shepard. Brittany is an avid photographer and reader, vinyl record and houseplant collector, and enjoys cooking and baking. She can often be found at the beach or on hiking trails.
Casaundra is the proud mother of two girls and a boy, and she and her husband were high school sweethearts! Her active family also includes six dogs, and together they enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, and riding ATVs. Casaundra is also an avid crafter, specializing in epoxy crafts and custom tumblers.
Casaundra Anthony
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Cate Flynn
Service Administrator
Cate holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, as well as a Certificate in ASL and Deaf Studies from Northeastern University. She is a mother to her two children, Daniel and Holly, and her fur baby, Tilly. After a few years of operating her own daycare in order to stay home with her children, Cate is excited to join the Vital Signs team in their passion of serving the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community!
Andrew Hursin
Accountant
Andrew has most enjoyed the flexibility of his role at Vital Signs and the opportunities to challenge himself. Andrew holds a dual Bachelor's Degree in International Business and Management and an MBA in accounting. He is currently pursuing his CPA and CGFM certifications. Andrew lives with his wife, Abby and two daughters who are the light of his life. He has two dogs, Lily and Astro, who are also his rollerblading companions!
Our Promise
Inclusive, effective communication is our promise and mission. We understand that every word is vital to your team’s success, and we are here to support you.
Yuko has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is English-Japanese bilingual. She also has an associate degree in accounting and 18 years of accounting experience. Yuko holds a teaching license for Japanese Calligraphy and when not working, she can be found goofing around with her husband, 2 children, and cat. She also enjoys cooking, baking, and crafting.
Yuko Essebaggers
Accountant