Jefferson Health recently honored 17 graduates of the Project SEARCH Class of 2026 at ceremonies held across its New Jersey hospitals in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township.
The graduates completed a yearlong internship experience through Project SEARCH, an international transition-to-work program that helps young adults with developmental disabilities prepare for competitive employment through immersive workplace training.
The Class of 2026 included participants from the Camden County-based Project SEARCH programs operated by Y.A.L.E. School at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital and Y.A.L.E. Clinic at Jefferson Stratford Hospital, as well as participants from the Gloucester County-based Project SEARCH program at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital in partnership with the Gloucester County Special Services School District.
Graduates include Jacob Acquaviva (Hammonton), Ryan Ciak (Berlin), Alexandra Cocco (Voorhees), Maurice Cotton (Cherry Hill), Conner Fitzpatrick (Swedesboro), Gregory Holzinger (Moorestown), Kerry Kane (Haddonfield), Kristopher Kruszewski (Deptford), Alexander Kusch (Franklinville), Haley McHenry (Gloucester City), Alexa McCready (Cherry Hill), Edoardo Piccoli (Cherry Hill), Ryder Quirk (Mickleton), Devon Seymour (Lindenwold), Mitchell Slider (Mullica Hill), Ryan Sydnor (Pennsauken) and Matthew Young (Mount Royal).
Throughout the 10-month program, interns attended classes and worked five days a week in hospital departments including Environmental Services, Patient Transport, Food Services, Facilities, Registration, Guest Services, Pharmacy and more. Working alongside Jefferson colleagues, participants developed workplace skills, confidence and independence while exploring potential career paths.
Jefferson Health first partnered with Project SEARCH in 2016 at its Cherry Hill Hospital. The program later expanded to its Stratford and Washington Township hospitals and has helped dozens of young adults gain valuable workplace experience and prepare for employment opportunities.
“Students arrive cautious and wide-eyed,” said Frank Rocco, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President of Operations at Jefferson’s Cherry Hill and Stratford hospitals. “By graduation, interns confidently walk around the hospital because of how they’ve acclimated.”
Over the years, approximately 35 percent of Project SEARCH participants have secured employment opportunities within Jefferson Health.
The program is supported through partnerships among Jefferson Health, Project SEARCH, educational institutions and community organizations, including Y.A.L.E. School, Y.A.L.E. Clinic, Gloucester County Special Services School District, the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and other workforce development partners.
“Every graduation, parents thank us for the opportunity and share how their young adult has grown,” said Jenny Breunig, MHA, FACHE, Vice President of Operations at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital. “Our mission is to improve lives. Participating in Project SEARCH gives hardworking interns opportunities to discover career paths while helping us build stronger teams and better serve our community.”
As members of the Class of 2026 begin the next chapter of their professional journeys, Jefferson Health celebrates their accomplishments and the positive impact they have made throughout the organization.