Making Their Mark at Middlesex Health

Several Connecticut residents successfully completed internships with Middlesex Health and graduated from Project SEARCH June 7, paving the way for future employment.

Project SEARCH is a national transition-to-work program run locally by MARC Community Resources, and it prepares young people with disabilities for success. The national employment outcome for graduating interns is about 75 percent, and interns work at least 20 hours per week for nine months with colleagues of all abilities.

The partnership between Middlesex Health and MARC Community Resources began in the fall of 2022, and this is the second class to graduate from the Project SEARCH program at Middlesex Health.

“Project SEARCH is a shining example of how we give back to the community,” says David Giuffrida, Middlesex Health’s vice president of operations.

Much like other graduation ceremonies taking place throughout the state, friends and family gathered in a conference center at Middlesex Hospital to celebrate success. The ceremony included pomp and circumstance and short speeches — some from the graduates themselves.

Kaitlyne spoke about how she learned new skills and was pushed out of her comfort zone, and Vincent proudly told the crowd he earned his pharmacy technician license. Isaiah said his internship experience gave him a heart full of gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime.

During their nine months with Middlesex Health, each graduate completed an internship that helped them gain real-world job experience as they worked in various departments throughout Middlesex Health, including Pharmacy, Engineering, Materials Management and Physical Rehabilitation. During their time at Middlesex, they learned many new skills, including how to be better communicators and how to work to safely, be a team player and be independent.

Project SEARCH is a progressive, organic program, says Melissa Davison-Wood, president and CEO of MARC Community Resources. These interns bring a genuineness and passion to Middlesex Health and give 110 percent, she says, adding that this year’s interns surpassed everything she expected.

Middlesex Health’s next Project SEARCH interns will arrive in September.

Middlesex Health’s Project SEARCH Class of 2024 includes Isaiah Alexander, of South Windsor; William Badillo, of Meriden; Cary Didden, of Glastonbury; Megan Hodge, of Middletown; Kaitlyne McNamara, of Middletown and Vincent Yanez, of Meriden.