In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic halted many programs and events, including Project SEARCH, a job training program hosted at Spartanburg Medical Center that prepares young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for employment.  

For the first time since spring 2019, Project SEARCH interns graduated from the program with close friends, family and community members in attendance.  

“We were blessed to have the opportunity to return to Spartanburg Medical Center this year,” said Hannah Drew, Project SEARCH instructor. “The pandemic definitely shook everything up, but it also gave our interns the chance to step up and showcase their abilities. I am so proud of our interns and all their accomplishments this year.” 

As six interns graduate from the Spartanburg Medical Center Project SEARCH program, further opportunities lay ahead to expand the program. In fall 2022, Project SEARCH will expand to Cherokee County.  

“Cherokee Medical Center has been working with the Cherokee County School District to be the primary host site for their Project SEARCH program,” said Cody Butts, Cherokee Medical Center president. “We could not be more excited about this opportunity to be part of such a wonderful program and helping to develop these skills in our community.” 

Through internships at Spartanburg Medical Center, and in Cherokee County in the future, students learn job skills for future employment.  

“Project SEARCH helps prepare interns for the workforce by providing a good balance of knowledge and interpersonal skills,” said Hope Talley, student programs coordinator and Project SEARCH liaison. “These can not only be used in gainful employment with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, but with other employers in our community.”  

But the students don’t just learn a new set of skills through the program, they also build their self-worth.  

“One of the biggest areas of achievement this year was our interns' confidence and feelings of self-worth,” Drew said. “Becoming an accepted, supported and valued member of teams within departments has done more for our interns than any classroom lesson could provide.” 

Congratulations to the graduating interns! 

Tanaisha Berry, banquet server, The Marriott 

Juan Carreno, linen services assistant, Spartanburg Medical Center 

De'Arius Dunbar Cheatham, environmental services technician, Spartanburg Medical Center 

Kendal Harris, bio-med services cleaning and distribution tech, Spartanburg Medical Center 

Ashanti Jackson, still seeking employment 

Cody Wilcox, environmental services hygiene associate, Spartanburg Medical Center 

Thank you to the Spartanburg Medical Center departments that hosted interns: 

3-West 

Bio-Med Services 

Emergency Services  

Endocrinology 

Environmental Services 

Gibbs Lab 

Gift Shop and Volunteer Services 

Linen Services 

Medical Supply 

Pediatric Rehabilitation 

Radiology 

The following departments provided shadowing opportunities to interns: 

Spartanburg Medical Center 

3 West 

5 Tower 

8 Tower 

Bio-Med Services 

Emergency Center 

Endocrinology 

Endoscopy 

Environmental Services 

Food Services 

Gibbs Lab 

Gift Shop and Volunteer Services 

Language Services  

Linen Services 

Main Lab 

Medical Supply 

Pediatric Rehabilitation 

Perioperative 

Radiology 

Spartanburg Medical Center — Mary Black Campus 

Behavioral Health 

Medical Supply 

Pelham Medical Center 

Perioperative 

Nutrition 

Materials Management 

Emergency Center 

PCA (4th floor)