Mercy Health is celebrating a major milestone in workforce development this spring, honoring both the first graduating class of its LIFE Transitions internship program at Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital and the 2026 class of Project SEARCH interns at Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center.
This year marked the first year of the LIFE Transitions partnership with Madison-Champaign Educational Service Center (ESC), bringing interns into the hospital for hands-on learning. Three interns have now completed the program.
The LIFE Transitions program is designed to help interns build independence, confidence, and job readiness skills through real-world experience in a hospital setting. Interns spend several days each week working alongside staff mentors in departments across the facility.
To celebrate their accomplishments, Mercy Health hosted an End of the Year celebration, where interns selected Katie Brazille as Mentor of the Year and honored Nutrition Services as Department of the Year for their support and guidance.
“This program is about giving interns the opportunity to learn by doing,” said Brooke Martinez, director of volunteer and auxiliary services for Mercy Health – Springfield. “Seeing our first group complete the program and the growth they’ve shown has been incredibly rewarding.”
In addition to celebrating LIFE Transitions, Mercy Health is also recognizing the 2026 graduating class of Project SEARCH, a nationally recognized program that helps students with disabilities transition from school to the workforce through immersive, on-site internships. Mercy Health partners with several organizations to offer this program, including Springfield-Clark CTC, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, United Rehab Services, and Developmental Disabilities of Clark County.
Project SEARCH interns rotate through various departments within the hospital, gaining practical job skills, interview experience, and confidence needed to succeed after graduation. This year, 5 interns received their diplomas for completing the program, which has a strong track record locally – many graduates secure employment within their first year.
“Both of these programs reflect our commitment to supporting interns and strengthening our local workforce,” said Martinez. “By connecting education with real-world experience, we’re helping set these interns up for long-term success.”
