When Dorman High School senior Tyler Fletcher showed up to work at Spartanburg Medical Center, he carried with him two life lessons:  

“I’ve learned to work hard to get things done and to not overreact when something doesn’t go right,” he said. 

It’s a message we can all get behind, and for Tyler, 19, he applied these principles interning in the hospital’s mail room, dish room and inpatient dining services. 

This type of self-reflection is exactly what Project SEARCH produces through its internship programs. 

By training, mentoring and equipping young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Project SEARCH helps people like Tyler gain internships and develop life skills and confidence needed to thrive into adulthood. 

Project SEARCH is celebrating its 10th year at Spartanburg Regional, coming first to Spartanburg Medical Center in 2014 and then expanding to offer a program at Cherokee Medical Center in 2022. 

At its inception, Spartanburg Regional became the first hospital system in South Carolina to host a Project SEARCH program. 

After six interns completed the Spartanburg Medical Center from the program in May – Tyler being among them – Project SEARCH is preparing for a new cohort of 10 interns from Dorman High School this fall. 

The program is made possible through a partnership among Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg School District 6, S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department and Upstate Workforce Board. In Cherokee County, Cherokee Medical Center partners with Cherokee County School District and Vocations Rehabilitation. 

Since 2014, 74 interns have completed Project SEARCH at Spartanburg Medical Center. Seven interns have finished the program at Cherokee Medical Center since 2022. 

Sorting mail and washing dishes aren’t the only roles for these interns to gain experience. Interns work in myriad ways across the hospital campus to enhance patient care and come alongside other associates in helpful ways. 

Project SEARCH is all about changing hearts and minds, said Hannah Drew, Project SEARCH’s instructor. 

"Students always exceed our expectations. Many managers and mentors tend to have this idea of what a student can and can’t do but when they give them more opportunities and have more responsibilities, they go well above and beyond,” Drew said. “They end up doing way more than what was expected of them.” 

Cherokee Medical Center’s most recent Project SEARCH graduates are also thriving. One has gained employment through the YMCA of Gaffney. The other plans to attend WinthropLIFE this fall. WinthropLIFE (Learning is For Everyone) is a Winthrop University program that offers postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. 

“It has been amazing to see how our staff and leaders at CMC have embraced the program and the students," said Cherokee Medical Center President Cody Butts. “Like any new initiative, our team was excited about the opportunity, but they also had a lot of questions about what the students were capable of. As we wrap up year three, our team has fully embraced the program, the teachers and the students. They truly have welcomed them into the CMC family.” 

Drew said one common misconception is that these interns, based on their disabilities, are only able to work in a few small ways that are limited in scope and duty. But that’s far from the truth, she said. 

"It’s the best situation when our mentors are open and willing to give opportunities for our students to learn,” Drew said. 

Not only do interns gain competitive job skills and experience, but some also find employment with Spartanburg Regional. 

Twenty-six previous interns are currently employed at Spartanburg Medical Center. The retention rate has highlighted the development and skill building avenues of these internships. Many graduates desire to stay and work at Spartanburg Medical Center because their experiences – from interactions with their mentors to the patients – have been exceptional. 

With so many interns being hired, Drew said it creates a positive challenge: filling hospital needs while encouraging leaders to find additional areas for these young adults to intern and potentially seek employment. 

Twenty-seven departments at Spartanburg Medical Center have hosted internships since Drew became the instructor in 2021. 

Spartanburg Medical Center President Phil Feisal said Spartanburg Regional paved the way for Project SEARCH to grow across the state and have greater impact. He said the partnership has produced immeasurable benefits for the interns and the system. 

“We probably get more out of this than the students,” he said during the May graduation ceremony. “It is so valuable in our organization to be a part of this community, and what is delivered by all these young people.” 

De'Arius Dunbar Cheatham, a former intern in 2021, has been working at Spartanburg Medical Center in environmental services, cleaning patient rooms and bathrooms for the past three years. 

He spoke during the recent graduation celebration to motivate the latest class of interns. 

“Don't give up on yourself, stay focused, stay positive and don’t let anybody steal your dreams and your light,” he told the interns who were accompanied by supportive family and friends. “Have big dreams and goals, make good friends along the way and let people help you.” 

To learn more about Project SEARCH and how you can get involved, visit SpartanburgRegional.com/Project-Search.