Just a Snowy Day
Yesterday’s first significant snowfall of the year didn’t deter the Aspirus Riverview Hospital Project SEARCH interns! They were all present and ready to take on the day, which began with work on presentations they’ll be giving to their Business Advisory Council, a group of local business professionals who help to mentor the interns.
They then went on to their first internship rotations, where they are learning employment skills in many Aspirus departments including Medial Affairs, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, the Gift Shop, Food Prep/Nutrition, Environmental Services, the Aspirus Riverview Foundation Office and more.
It is also important that Project SEARCH interns learn about, and be immersed in, their community. They will be busy throughout the year ringing bells for the Salvation Army, assisting with meals at the Neighborhood Table, and raising money for Special Olympics by jumping into the freezing Wisconsin River. They are also preparing to host a statewide Project SEARCH meeting in February.
Aspirus Riverview Hospital is one of five Project Search sites in which ODC is a partner. Other sites include Marshfield Medical Center, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Sentry Insurance in Stevens Point, and Howard Young Medical Center Minocqua. Other partners include local school districts and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Project SEARCH interns spend their last year of high school studying curriculum that focuses on work readiness and rotating through three different internships within the workplace setting. The program is designed to ready interns for the world of work before they graduate.
Project SEARCH is an international program that was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMSC). CCHMC provides technical assistance and overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide.