Project SEARCH graduates are ‘confident, strong and ready to take on the world’

Posted on: 6/10/24

Seven Project SEARCH interns walked the red carpet as family, friends and mentors cheered them on during their graduation ceremony.

There were tears shed, plenty of laughs and tons of love for the graduates as they remembered their time at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center.

“I loved it,” said intern Anna Kate Shukes of her time with Project SEARCH. “I worked hard and learned how to navigate the building on my own. It has all been worth it. I’m more confident, excited and happy for what will come next.”

The CMS-Project SEARCH program began in 2017-18 with one site at Atrium Health Pineville. The program moved to Novant Health in 2020 and expanded to two sites — Matthews Medical and Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center. Interns learn soft skills in on-site classes, such as how to make presentations, write a resume, interview and interact. 

They also work three 12-week rotations in different areas of the hospital including Sterile Processing, Linen and Laundry, Environmental Services, Guest Services, Patient Transport, Materials Management, Food and Nutrition, Rehabilitation and Plant Engineering.

Sandy Rudebeck, Sterile Processing supervisor, was new to working with CMS-Project SEARCH this year, but said she enjoyed every moment with her interns. 

“Our team really got to learn their abilities,” said Rudebeck. “The more we worked with them, we learned to not hold back as we gave them more tasks.”

So far, over 40 interns have graduated from the program and have landed jobs in a variety of stores and restaurants, as well as hospitals. Interns this year include Amber Nee, Chloe Pressley, Jacob Hildreth, Gary Powell, Robert Moreno Hernandez, Samantha Huewe and Shukes.

“When this community comes into the hospital, they’re able to see what our students with exceptionalities are able to provide in a workforce, in a community,” said Dr. Heather Lemmons, executive director of CMS Exceptional Children. “You’re setting a stage for other students to come behind you and do absolutely wonderful things in the community. You all are confident, strong and ready to take on the world.”