Saint Mary's Welcomes New Class of Project SEARCH Interns
September 01, 2026.jpg "Six Project SEARCH interns wearing blue program shirts and hospital ID badges stand together in a covered outdoor corridor. Three interns are in the front row and three in the back, with brown walls and handrails framing the group as they face the camera.")
Saint Mary's Regional Health System is proud to welcome its newest class of Project SEARCH interns as they begin a year of workplace training, skill development and career exploration within the hospital.
Project SEARCH is an internationally recognized transition-to-work program that helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain real-world job experience and develop skills for competitive employment. The program takes place entirely in the workplace, providing interns with hands-on training and mentorship while they explore a variety of career paths.
Since bringing Project SEARCH to Saint Mary's in 2017, the hospital has helped dozens of individuals build confidence, independence and valuable workforce skills through immersive learning experiences across multiple departments.
"At Saint Mary's, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths and reach their full potential," said Jamie Taylor, director of People Services at Saint Mary's. "Project SEARCH creates meaningful opportunities for individuals to gain experience, build confidence and prepare for future employment. We are excited to welcome this new group of interns and look forward to supporting them throughout their journey."
Throughout the academic year, interns will spend time learning workplace and employability skills while completing rotations in various hospital departments. Working alongside Saint Mary's team members, they will develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving and job-specific skills in a professional healthcare environment. These experiences help prepare participants for long-term success in the workforce.
"We are honored to serve as a host site for Project SEARCH," said Taylor. "Our interns contribute so much to our organization, and our team members gain just as much from the experience. Their enthusiasm, determination and growth are inspiring to witness."
The new interns officially began in August and will spend the next year gaining valuable work experience designed to help them transition successfully into employment opportunities within the community. For more information about Project SEARCH, visit www.projectsearch.us.