Student & Alumni Profiles

Student Profile: Daniel

When Daniel graduated from Project SEARCH in 2008, he was the first of his inaugural class to be offered employment at Seton Healthcare Family, the first employer in Texas to implement the Project SEARCH model. Having experienced success throughout his internship, he found the best match for his skills, abilities, and interests was with the Sterile Processing Department.

Three years later, Daniel has maintained his position as Sterile Processing Tech and is one of the department’s only tenured associates. Responsible for assembling the various surgical sets used each day by surgeons and nurses, he prepares instruments for the hefty sterilization process, assembles peel packs, and transports supplies from the lab to surgical services.

"The interns learn jobs that can be accomplished through complex, systematic routines," said Jenny Hawkins, program coordinator for Project SEARCH at Seton Medical Center Austin. "They develop skills that make them attractive candidates for a variety of jobs both at Seton and elsewhere in the community."

Student Profile: Lena

Lena was in the first Project SEARCH class at the Ohio State University Medical Center. According to Lena’s dad, Bill, Lena responded to the high expectations that were set in the Project SEARCH program and really “stepped up to the plate.” When she graduated in the spring of 2010 she was offered a job at the OSU Nisonger Dental Program—a dental clinic that serves patients with disabilities. Lena is responsible for preparing and sterilizing instrument trays and for cleaning the exam rooms. Lena loves the work and loves being part of her new “work family.” When asked if there’s anything else she likes about her job Lena says, “Yes. I get paid!”

Student Profile: Raphael

Raphael was a member of the 2010-11 Project SEARCH class at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Raphael was a student intern in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics where he learned to clean and sterilize clinical and procedural rooms. He learned so fast and worked so efficiently that when a job opening came up in his department, Raphael was hired! He made a very smooth and successful transition from student intern to regular employee. He enjoys helping patients and their families find their way around the clinic, and he loves the daily interactions with his coworkers. When asked about Raphael’s hiring, his supervisor says, “We are the lucky ones to have Raphael on our team!”