A new Virtua Health internship program gives students with disabilities hands-on experience working in a hospital

During her internship at Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, student Alyssa Eiring greeted cardiology patients with her signature charm, “Welcome to cardiologyyyyyyy!”

Her disarming and bubbly personality quickly put patients at ease, said medical secretary Heather Davenport, who mentored Eiring in the hospital’s cardiology department.

“Coming into the hospital for testing isn’t someone’s happy place but Alyssa sure made it feel like that for everyone,” Davenport said.

Eiring and five other students formed the inaugural class of Project SEARCH, a collaboration between Virtua Health and the Burlington County Special Services School District. The nine-month internship program gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities hands-on job training.

Eiring was born with Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a rare genetic disease that causes cognitive and developmental delays. At a graduation ceremony Tuesday, she won the “Compassion in Action Award” for “excellence in customer service.”

The 21-year-old from Florence Township led the procession of graduates in royal blue gowns onto a stage festooned with blue, red, and silver balloons. She then took to the podium — one of two commencement speakers.

“I have built real skills, gained so much confidence, and discovered what I am truly capable of achieving,” she said, addressing family, friends, educators, and Virtua employees gathered in a gymnasium on the campus of the Burlington County Special Services Transition Program in Westampton, N.J.

“We are ready to take everything we have learned here and step out into the employment world.”

“We did it!” she shouted, eliciting cheers.

Eiring will now begin looking for a job. Her 26-year-old sister, Toni Eiring, said she’s up to the task.

“She has more faith in herself in the workplace,” her sister said. “Her demeanor changed. The way she stands on her own two feet. It’s almost like she developed a different part of her brain.”

Each student completed 10-week rotations in three hospital departments over the school year. Fellow graduate Tristian Villafuerte, who has autism, started off in patient transport and finished in food services.

The 21-year-old Burlington Township resident called his second internship in equipment services “a true turning point.”

“I was given the autonomy to independently navigate the hospital,” he said in his speech, noting he was responsible for collecting soiled equipment and bringing it back to the central supply for sterilization.

“Having that trust placed in me changed everything,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte now joins Virtua Health, one of two graduates hired out of the program. He will work as an equipment services technician at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in Camden County.

The program creates a new pipeline of employees in hard-to-fill areas, said Katherine Kealey, Virtua’s director of workforce development.

“We have to start thinking about looking at other populations that we haven’t really tapped into previously,” Kealey said. “This is a really great opportunity for us to expand our workforce, mirroring the communities that we serve.”

The program landed graduate Matthew Pettola, 21, of Cinnaminson Township, a job at Virtua. He starts later this month as a food services worker at the hospital’s Mount Holly location.

Pettola won the “Purpose Driven Award,” recognizing the intern who “used unexpected challenges as a compass — turning difficult experiences into valuable insights."

He is autistic, and the frenetic pace of kitchen work proved a “perfect fit,” said his stepmom, Tracey Pettola.

“Doing the tray line, food prep, dishwashing. It was real fast-paced, which is great for him because he’s fidgety,” she said. “It just worked for him. He loved it.”

“Every day, he came home so much more confident. He was so excited to talk about his day. What he learned. He made friends. He became more social,” she said.

Pettola’s father, also named Matthew Pettola, described the program as a “godsend.”

Teresa Sullivan watched her 21-year-old daughter become increasingly independent during her internship in the rehabilitation department.

Grace Sullivan would tell her mother to relax and “stay in bed,” because she wanted to get herself up and out the door on her own.

She took the bus to the hospital alone and started insisting on making her own meals once back at her Florence Township home. Her communication skills and ability to follow directions sharpened, her mother said.

“We used to give her a little bit more guidance — now she puts her hand up and says, ‘I got it,’” Teresa Sullivan said.

After accepting her certificate, Grace Sullivan, who was born with Down syndrome, walked to her mother in the audience. Smiling broadly, she handed her a rose as a thank you for supporting her.

Her mother accepted the flower through tears.

“I feel good. I liked all of it,” Grace Sullivan said after the ceremony. “My favorite thing was the patients and making friends with my coworkers.”

The program is accepting applications for new interns, who will start Aug. 31.