We are proud to announce the successful completion of the third cohort for Project SEARCH HSN, marking another milestone in our commitment to creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual, physical and communication disabilities.
About Project SEARCH HSN
In partnership with the March of Dimes Canada, Rainbow District School Board, and City of Greater Sudbury, Project SEARCH HSN is a comprehensive ten-month internship program that serves as a bridge to competitive employment. This transition-to-work program is designed for students with intellectual, physical, and/or communication disabilities who are eager to develop essential job skills and gain real-world work experience.
Aligned with our strategic goals of empowering human potential and advancing equity through social accountability, Project SEARCH HSN challenges outdated barriers and actively works to create a more inclusive society. Through hands-on learning experiences across various departments, we help our interns develop the technical skills, interpersonal skills and confidence they need to thrive in their prospective careers and build bright futures for themselves.
Celebrating Our Third Cohort
The graduation ceremony for our third cohort represents the culmination of months of dedication, growth, and achievement. Each intern has demonstrated remarkable progress throughout their journey, gaining valuable transferable skills that will serve them well as they transition into competitive employment.
Recognizing Our Outstanding Departmental Partners
The success of Project SEARCH HSN would not be possible without the exceptional commitment of our Hospital departments and their staff. During our graduation ceremony, we had the honour of presenting individual and departmental awards showcasing those who have gone above and beyond in supporting our interns.
Champion Mentor Award Recipients
The Champion Mentor Award recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional support, guidance, and learning opportunities for our Project SEARCH interns. These mentors have been dedicated to the interns' success throughout the year, committing their time and expertise to teach both the onsite team and interns the necessary skills required within their departments.
- Minor Procedures - Tracy Huntington
- Materials Management - Craig Gilles
- Rock Garden Café - Steve Moss
Best Practices Award Recipients
The Best Practices Award honors departments that have held interns to high expectations while encouraging them to meet departmental standards. These departments have treated interns as valued team members and pushed them toward excellence, providing learning opportunities that set the foundation for future employment success.
- Medical Device Reprocessing - Steve Sherrington
- Materials Management - Steve Voltti
- Rock Garden Cafe - Erika Theriault
- Dialysis - Jennifer Perrault
You Inspire Us All Award Recipients
The You Inspire Us All award represents the highest recognition for departments that have created an environment exemplifying true inclusivity. These departments immediately welcomed our interns as part of the team, providing meaningful tasks that made interns feel valued and supported. In these environments, we witnessed tremendous growth in intern confidence and self-determination.
- Lab Department - Jesse Lafleche
- Pharmacy - Korine Visentin
- Oncology/Palliative Care - Jennifer Michaud
- Respiratory Care - Erika Brisson
- Volunteer Services - Tannys Laughren
Looking Forward
As we celebrate the achievements of our third cohort and recognize the outstanding contributions of our departmental partners, we remain committed to expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities in our community. Project SEARCH HSN continues to demonstrate that with the right support, guidance, and an inclusive environment, everyone has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.
We are always exploring new departments to host interns, as interns are carefully matched to departments based on their individual skills and abilities. This personalized approach ensures the best possible learning experience for interns while providing valuable support to participating departments. If you would like to learn more information about Project Search HSN or explore hosting opportunities for your department, please contact one of our business liaisons: Julie Contini, Sherry Canard, or Kaitlyn Stahl.
The success of this program reflects the collaborative spirit of HSN and our community partners. Together, we are not only changing lives but also building a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all!