URBANA, OH (August 28, 2025) – Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital has partnered with Madison-Champaign Educational Service Center (ESC) and LIFE Transitions (Life Skills and Independence for Future Employment) to launch a new internship program designed to help local students build vital life and work skills while still in school.
Through the program, six student interns are spending three mornings each week at Mercy Health - Urbana Hospital, where they are paired with hospital staff mentors for hands-on training in a variety of departments. The experience helps students strengthen their job readiness, independent living skills, and social confidence, laying the foundation for future success.
“This program is about more than just job training,” said Brooke Martinez, Mercy Health’s Director of Volunteer and Auxiliary Services. “It’s about giving young people real-world experiences that empower them to be more independent and confident in their next steps after graduation.”
Each intern will rotate through different hospital areas each semester, with opportunities in Nutrition Services, Environmental Services, Maintenance, Oncology, Linen, Registration, the Emergency Department, and Inpatient Units. Placement is based on each student’s skills and interests, ensuring meaningful learning opportunities tailored to their strengths.
This program is similar to the already successful Project SEARCH initiative at Springfield Regional Medical Center, which has helped many students transition successfully into the workforce. Since launching in November 2011, 94% of Mercy Health – Springfield’s interns found employment within their first year of graduation. The class of 2024 made 86 total graduates from the site, some of whom went on to be hired by Mercy Health.
Both of these programs reflect Mercy Health’s ongoing commitment to supporting both workforce development and the broader needs of the community.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Madison-Champaign ESC and LIFE Transitions on this initiative,” said Martinez. “Together, we’re equipping students with tools that will serve them for a lifetime.”
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About Mercy Health - Springfield
Mercy Health – Springfield is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by nearly 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. BSMH provides care for patients nearly 14 million times annually through its network of more than 1,200 care sites, which includes 50 hospitals. In 2024, BSMH provided more than $500 million dollars in community investments across five states, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to health care for our patients in need. Locally, Mercy Health – Springfield, which includes Springfield Regional Medical Center and Urbana Hospital, has a mission to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Mercy Health – Springfield is a comprehensive, regional health care system, known for quality, innovation, compassionate service, and a caring culture. With two hospitals and numerous physician offices and care locations, Mercy Health ensures easy access to safe, effective, timely and cost-efficient care for every stage of life through a network of hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities as well as rehabilitation and outreach services. The mission of Bon Secours Mercy Health is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of its communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Visit mercy.com for additional information.