This paper presents the analysis of two sets of interpreter-mediated medical encounters. The first set contains videotaped multi-party encounters that took place at a private rehabilitation centre for brain injured children where American doctors treat Italian, German and French children. The other set is composed of triadic medical interactions at a public hospital where public service interpreters/mediators were at work.The aim of this study is to highlight the production of discoursive initiatives by the interpreters and mediators temporarily acting as primary participants in the medical interaction where they are at work. The category of non-renditions as defined by Wadensjö (1998) is discussed and used to gain an insight about what conversational initiatives are undertaken by the interpreters. The main findings of this analysis are briefly discussed and illustrated by examples