Job, Life Skills Celebrated at Project SEARCH® Graduation
| May 29, 2018 | Most of us take for granted the ability to get a job and be independent, but for others, like the young adults with disabilities who are a part of UAMS Project SEARCH®, these things take hard work, dedication – and the courage to take a chance.
For the last five years, these young people have found a network of people at UAMS who are also willing to take a chance on them. That partnership, and the accomplishments of this year’s group of 11 graduating interns, were celebrated May 22 with a ceremony and reception in the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute.
“This class of interns embraced their experience, and their enthusiasm never flagged as they tackled new challenges and gained new skills in the process,” said UAMS Interim Chancellor Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D. “We’re extremely proud of our graduates and the successes they have found following their internships.”
Mercedes Reed, right, delivers a speech as part of the Project SEARCH graduation.
The UAMS Project SEARCH program is a partnership with the Little Rock-based nonprofit ACCESS® and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, a division of the Arkansas Department of Career Education. The program, the first of its kind in central Arkansas and the only program at an Arkansas university, was modeled after one at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The interns begin in the fall and work at UAMS for nine months, rotating through different departments while learning workplace skills and practicing independent living. Twenty-five UAMS departments participated, including the Institute on Aging, Landscaping, Mail Processing, Volunteer Services, Radiology, Parking, Patient Transport, OR Supply, the Office of Communications & Marketing and the Office of the Chancellor.
“UAMS has truly embraced this program and they have made it part of their culture,” said Jenny Adams, Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative Director. “They see the value in what these young adults provide in their hospital, and they support them wholeheartedly. We greatly appreciate the many individuals at UAMS who make this program a success.”
Graduate Jessica Bona, center, celebrates at a reception following the Project SEARCH graduation.
Since its beginning in 2013, UAMS Project SEARCH has graduated more than 60 young adults. At time of graduation, 75 percent had job offers waiting for them, and the majority found jobs within a few months of completing the program. Employers include UAMS, Dillard’s Inc., Arkansas Children’s Hospital, CHI St. Vincent, Fox Ridge Senior Living Center, Maverick Transportation, the Jim Dailey Fitness Center and Texas Roadhouse.
Some of this year’s interns have been hired at FedEx, Holiday Inn, ACCESS and UAMS Central Supply.
Alan McClain, commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, which is a partner in the initiative and assists with the funding of Project SEARCH Arkansas, addressed the graduates, referencing his personal experience as a father of a child who graduated from Project SEARCH.
He encouraged them to relish that first paycheck, pick up the tab occasionally after dinner with their families and always remember that their efforts not only impact themselves but others as well.
Rebecca P. Sartini, D.N.P., R.N., and Project SEARCH Department Supervisor for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), gives the keynote address at the graduation ceremony.
“Thank you, interns, for your dedication and thank you for your courage,” McClain said. “It inspires all of us. We know you are taking away a lot from Project SEARCH, but the people you’ve worked with here are taking away a lot, too. You’ve impacted their lives forever. As you leave and get jobs in the community, you’re going to continue to impact those around you and make a difference in the world.”
Keynote speaker Rebecca P. Sartini, D.N.P., R.N., and Project SEARCH Department Supervisor for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), called her ability to participate in the program for the last several years a “privilege.” She praised the interns who have rotated through the department for becoming “part of our care team.”
“We have the largest single-room design NICU in Arkansas. It cares for over 1,500 critical babies every year. It’s over 60,000 square feet. And about 55 babies a day is our average census. It’s a very large unit and a very busy clinical setting,” Sartini said. “I can imagine it would be a little frightening, a little intimidating. But all of our interns have met that challenge and have learned.”
As part of the ceremony, each graduate gave a short speech. They included sincere thanks and funny anecdotes. “The baby laundry was really cute,” MiKaila Petty said of her time in the NICU. Alex White told stories about losing ID badges and shoes, while Mark Powell laughed about getting stuck in an elevator after having jinxed himself by joking about the possibility with his coworkers. And many of the talks were heartwarming.
Christine Bell, left, receives her graduation certificate from Interim Chancellor Gardner.
Christine Bell completed an internship with Communications & Marketing, learning the skills that enabled her to design the invitations and the printed program for the graduation ceremony. Bell has cerebral palsy, which affects her movement and voice. Speaking through a robotic reader, she thanked her family, friends and others.
“Job coaches, coworkers and mentors, thank you for accepting me the way God made me, for having faith in me, helping me accomplish my dreams and goals, encouraging me and pushing me to succeed, and more importantly, thank you for all of the time you have invested in my life,” Bell said. “During Project SEARCH, I have gained more independence than I ever thought I would have.”
Jessica Bona, who is on the autism spectrum, noted that many people struggle for acceptance. Such experiences may have made her and some of the other graduates afraid to try to work, but she was so glad she did. She hit lows, but also experienced great highs and said the program left her with a better understanding of herself.
“If you want something, don’t just expect it to happen,” Bona said. “If you really want to know what you’re made of, push yourself out of your comfort zone and do something you don’t really enjoy to get to a bigger goal.”
Alex White, right, receives his certificate from Interim Chancellor Gardner.
The graduates were:
Jasmine Barr
Christine Bell
Jessica Bona
Logan Calcaterra
George Griffin
Meagan Norland
Samuel Parsons
MiKaila Petty
Mark Powell
Mercedes Reed
Alex White
For more information, visit projectsearch.uams.edu.