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Opening Doors to Opportunity: Project SEARCH Graduates Build Skills, Confidence and Careers

  • 5 minute read.
  • Last Updated: 5/21/2026

For young adults with developmental disabilities, the path from school to the workforce can feel uncertain. At Covenant Health, that journey is becoming clearer and more promising with Project SEARCH. 

This week, Covenant Health celebrated the 2026 graduates of Project SEARCH at Parkwest Medical Center and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.This marks another milestone in a program that is transforming lives through hands-on learning, mentorship and meaningful employment opportunities. 

Building a Bridge from Classroom to Career 

Six young adults stand in a row outside a building, smiling and holding certificates at their Project SEARCH graduation. Dressed in semi-formal attire, they appear to be celebrating this significant achievement together.
2026 Parkwest Graduates

Project SEARCH is designed to help students with developmental disabilities successfully transition from education to the workforce. Through a partnership with Knox County Schools and Sertoma, Covenant Health provides real-world experience inside its hospitals, where students gain both job skills and confidence. 

Since launching the first local high school program at Parkwest Medical Center 2019, the community program has grown steadily: 

  • 73 students have completed the program 
  • 29 graduates have been hired by Covenant Health 
  • Many others have secured jobs across the community 

“The impact of our Project SEARCH program continues to be both profound and inspiring,” said Kevin Sconion, materials management manager at Parkwest Medical Center. “Each year, our interns bring joy, positivity and a renewed sense of purpose to our workplace.” 

Five people stand in front of a black and gold balloon arch, smiling at the camera during a Project SEARCH graduation. Four men and one woman, dressed in casual and semi-formal clothes, pose together on a wooden floor indoors.
2026 Fort Sanders Regional Graduates

Learning by Doing 

Unlike traditional classroom instruction, Project SEARCH immerses students in a real hospital environment. Interns rotate through different departments, learning valuable, transferable skills such as: 

A woman wearing glasses and a blue uniform folds laundry on a black cart in a hospital.
  • Stocking medical and supply areas 
  • Preparing patient care items 
  • Delivering supplies throughout the hospital 
  • Supporting food and nutrition services 
A person wearing a red shirt and black pants is pushing large black trash bags in a brown cart inside a room with tiled floor and beige walls.

Each student is paired with a mentor who provides guidance, encouragement and support throughout the program. 

In addition to job training, students also learn essential life skills, including: 

  • Financial literacy 
  • Workplace communication 
  • Self-advocacy 

These combined experiences help prepare graduates for independence, both at work and in everyday life. 

Real Outcomes That Change Lives 

The results of Project SEARCH go far beyond classroom success. The program is nationally recognized for strong employment outcomes, and locally, its impact is easy to see. 

Last year alone: 

  • 21 interns completed more than 18,000 hours of workforce training 
  • 100% of graduates secured employment after completing the program 
  • Many graduates remain employed two to three years later 

For families, the transformation can be life changing. As one parent shared during a previous graduation ceremony, “This program changes lives — and not just those of the interns.” 

Jon Rysewyk, EdD, superintendent of Knox County Schools, emphasized the importance of inclusion and opportunity. 

“When we say every student in Knox County, we mean every student,” he said. “Project SEARCH creates meaningful opportunities for students to gain workforce experience, independence and long-term success.” 

A Culture of Inclusion at Covenant Health 

Project SEARCH reflects Covenant Health’s broader commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can contribute and succeed. 

Graduates of the program are not only employees; they are valued members of the Covenant Health team. Many continue working at Parkwest Medical Center and Fort Sanders Regional after graduating, and they contribute to patient care and daily operations in meaningful ways. 

Sconion offers simple but powerful advice to program participants and graduates: don’t let limitations define potential. 

“I remind my employees who are graduates to not let their disabilities define their capabilities,” he said. 

Investing in the Future of Our Community 

As East Tennessee’s largest private employer, Covenant Health is committed to strengthening the communities we serve. Programs like Project SEARCH demonstrate how partnerships, mentorship and opportunity can create lasting change, not only for individuals, but for families and the broader workforce. 

By investing in people, Covenant Health is helping build a more inclusive future, one graduate at a time. 

Take the Next Step 

Covenant Health is proud to support programs that empower individuals and strengthen our workforce. 

  • If you have a family member who is not currently enrolled in Knox County Schools and is interested in the adult Project SEARCH program, more information is available here. 

Together, we can continue opening doors and changing lives. 

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