Lillian Shetley, 20, was practically glowing as she signed paperwork to mark the official start of her year-long internship at Union Medical Center. 

One of four interns, she is part of the inaugural Project SEARCH program at Union Medical Center, joining Cherokee Medical Center and Spartanburg Medical Center, which have held Project SEARCH programs for several years. 

The interns are: 

• Lillian Shetley 
• KyLeigh Ortiz 
• Alex Garrett 
• John Cook 

Project SEARCH is a business-led internship program that helps young adults with disabilities gain the skills needed for competitive employment. 

Interns at Union Medical Center will work under a supervisor in a variety of disciplines including environmental services, patient access, business administration and food services. Their internship roles will be paired with additional classroom instruction. 

"This is an awesome day. I'm going to love working here," Shetley said. "I'm going to rock this." 

Project SEARCH first came to Spartanburg Medical Center in 2014 through a partnership with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation and Spartanburg School District 6. 

Union Medical Center leaders, Union County School District officials, interns and their family members gathered at Union Medical Center recently for an official signing day to launch the program and celebrate the interns as they embark on their next journey. 

Elizabeth Ireton, Union County School District's director of special education, shared remarks during the event and congratulated each of the interns on this important first step. 

"Project SEARCH provides an opportunity and an atmosphere of high expectations. People with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment," Ireton said. "We strongly believe and expect that each intern can achieve the goal of competitive employment." 

In addition to job-readiness skills, Project SEARCH will help interns build confidence while learning new skills and overcoming challenges. 

"Today isn't just about signing paperwork," Ireton said. "We are signing on to futures filled with purpose, dignity and meaningful work." 

To learn more about Project SEARCH, visit SpartanburgRegional.com/project-search.