When Cam Molher first started Project SEARCH, he had to take a lot of breaks throughout the day. 

Now, as an intern in the Purchasing department, he walks all over Licking Memorial Hospital delivering supplies to different departments. 

He’s hopeful that increased endurance will help him find a job after he completes the program. Cam is still exploring options, but would like to get a job working with animals. 

As the school year comes to a close, Cam and the other nine Project SEARCH interns are making plans for the future. 

Some are considering applying for job openings at Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) while others are looking for positions in other fields.

Wrapping up its sixth year in Licking County, Project SEARCH gives young adults with disabilities the opportunity to spend an entire school year at LMHS, gaining the training and soft skills they need to transition from school to adult life.

The program is a partnership between LMHS, the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, the Licking County Educational Service Center and Greenleaf Job Training Services, Inc.

Throughout the school year, each student experiences three internship rotations to get experience with different job responsibilities.

Cam, who attended Newark High School, spent time in the hospital’s Environmental and Culinary departments before coming to Purchasing.

He’s looking forward to the upcoming graduation ceremony in May, which will be held at the Midland Theatre.

Each student will have the opportunity to give a presentation — sharing their experiences and their future plans.

We recently got the chance to meet with a few of the interns and hear their stories:

Gabe Washburn:

Gabe is known around the hospital as a very hard worker.

A student from Newark High School who recently completed C-TEC’s I-TEC program, Gabe spent his first internship in the oncology department, cleaning and helping with scanning, which he excelled at. 

Then he spent his second internship on the second floor of LMHS’ 1717 W. Main Street location, doing similar tasks.

Finishing up his year at Project SEARCH interning in the cardiology department, Gabe said his favorite part of the program has been learning to fill out his timesheet and journaling about his experience. 

He’s interested in getting a job at a store where he can help with stocking.

Caeden McLaughlin

Caeden, a student at Utica High School,  is very detail oriented, which has served him well in his internships. 

He spent time in the Concierge office and Maintenance and Engineering before starting his third internship at 1717 W. Main. 

He’s done a great job scanning documents and has been trained to use the hospital’s EPIC records management system. 

But his favorite internship was maintenance and engineering because he enjoyed learning to use the different tools. 

His goal is to work at a store like Lowes or Home Depot to continue to further that interest.