California Department of Rehabilitation Honors Mission Hospital with Employer of the Year Award

Award Recognizes Hospital’s Commitment to Diversity Through Project SEARCH Program
Mission Viejo, CA (Apr 29, 09) - The California Department of Rehabilitation has named Mission Hospital a recipient of its 2009 Employer of the Year award. This prestigious award honors outstanding employers in south Orange and San Diego counties who have demonstrated a commitment to hiring people with special needs.

Mission Hospital’s partnership with Capistrano Unified School District (CSUD) for Project SEARCH, a vocational training program for individuals with special needs, led to their recognition as one of six exemplary employers in the region. Through a two-semester internship period, students learn skills for employment by working at various jobs within the hospital, from clerical tasks to nutrition services. Along the way, they attain marketable skills for any industry through problem solving and communication. Staff members at the hospital volunteer to support and assist the students as they learn to transition from school to the workplace.

“Employers are our most important resource in the ongoing struggle to achieve equality and employment for people with disabilities,” said Chaz Compton, district administrator for the California Department of Rehabilitation’s San Diego District. “Organizations like Mission Hospital are wonderful examples of how creativity, collaboration and a commitment to excellence can benefit both employer and employee.”

Now in its second year, Project SEARCH currently has five students completing internships at Mission Hospital. Inspiring this year’s class are two 2008 program graduates who now work at the hospital.

“Mission Hospital has shown that through caring and a desire to help others, students with special needs can be successfully prepared for employment and employed with a high level of expertise through various settings,” said Gerry Strickland, Director of Transition of the CUSD Adult Transition Program.

“Though we are deeply honored by the Employer of the Year Award, the students enrolled in Project SEARCH are really the ones who should be celebrated,” said Peter F. Bastone, Mission Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer. “Their unwavering work ethic and positive spirits are an inspiration to the entire hospital, and we have no doubt that they will continue to prosper and flourish in our community for years to come.”

According to the California Department of Rehabilitation, recipients of the Employer of the Year Awards are nominated by their employees, community rehabilitation programs, or other rehabilitation professionals who have first-hand knowledge of their commitment to hiring people with disabilities. Award-winning employers embody the qualities of inclusion, empowerment, and diversity within their organizations and demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of hiring employees with different abilities. Mission Hospital was nominated by Gerry Strickland and the CSUD Adult Transition Program.


About Mission Hospital
Mission Hospital is a 301-bed acute care, full-service facility serving all of south Orange County and houses the region's designated trauma center, one of only three in the county. Located in Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital offers a complete array of top-quality healthcare services including Mission Regional Trauma Center and 24-hour emergency care; Mission Imaging Center offering the most advanced diagnostic care, Mission Heart Center providing cardiac rehabilitation and chest pain center; Mission Maternity Center including special care for high risk pregnancy; Mission Women's Wellness Center offering comprehensive breast, heart and pelvic care; and Mission Stroke Center, offering the region's most comprehensive neurological care and is a certified Primary Stroke Center. Mission Hospital also offers the highest level of care in orthopedics, rehabilitation, cancer, spine and vascular services. A member of the St. Joseph Health System, the hospital is one of 14 not-for-profit hospitals sponsored by the St. Joseph Health Ministry. CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital, a separately licensed pediatric hospital representing a unique partnership with Mission Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), is located on the top floor of Mission Hospital's patient tower. For more information visit mission4health.com.


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