Meet Our New Project SEARCH interns
Dylan, food services, Cape Cod Hospital
Matt, emergency center, Cape Cod Hospital
Alyssa, pediatrics, Cape Cod Hospital
Gus, with mentor Mike, IT
Laura, inpatient pharmacy, CCH
Luke, with mentor Tony, EVS at Cape Cod Hospital
Tyler, Barbey Pavilion, Cape Cod Hospital
Angela, outpatient rehab, Falmouth Hospital
Effie, food services, Falmouth Hospital
Genevieve, environmental services, Falmouth Hospital
Jack, materials management, Falmouth Hospital
Julia, nursing, Falmouth Hospital
Katherine, emergency center, Falmouth Hospital
Maggie, sterile processing, Falmouth Hospital
Ryan, environmental services, Falmouth Hospital
On September 22, Project SEARCH interns from Riverview School started a new year of learning, building skills and gaining hands-on experience at Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital.
Welcome to our new group of Riverview School students!
This month, Cape Cod Healthcare welcomed 16 students — eight at Cape Cod Hospital and eight at Falmouth Hospital — as they begin their Project SEARCH internships across a variety of departments.
Instructors Rebecca Wilson and Kristin Hatton at Falmouth Hospital and Amy Carroll at Cape Cod Hospital, along with new staff member Jo Scofield at CCH, help guide and support students throughout their internship experiences.
Now in its 11th year at Cape Cod Healthcare, Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work program that provides Riverview students with hands-on workplace experience during their final year of school.
Throughout the year, students complete three departmental rotations in areas such as environmental services, food services, emergency center, outpatient rehabilitation, nursing, information systems and sterile processing. They gain valuable on-the-job experience, build new skills and get to know team members throughout our hospitals.
If you see our Project SEARCH interns around the hospitals, be sure to say hello!
Whole Blood Program Brings Lifesaving Care Closer to Patients
Pictured, left to right: Hyannis Fire Captain Rachael Clough, firefighter-paramedic Peter Batzinger, firefighter-paramedic Michael Hermann and Betsy Henderson, trauma program manager at Cape Cod Hospital. Batzinger and Hermann spearheaded this initiative.
When someone is critically injured and losing blood, every minute matters.
Through the new Prehospital Whole Blood Program, specially trained Hyannis Fire Department paramedics can now administer whole blood at the scene or while transporting a patient to the hospital — providing critical care that previously could not begin until hospital arrival.
“This is really a game-changer for our community,” said Betsy Henderson, trauma program manager at Cape Cod Hospital. “Being able to start a lifesaving blood transfusion before the patient reaches the hospital can make a difference and can give that patient a better chance of survival.”
Two units of whole blood are kept in a specialized, temperature-controlled storage cooler aboard a designated Hyannis Fire vehicle. Hyannis Fire can also respond to surrounding communities to meet ambulances transporting critically ill or injured patients and begin administering blood while continuing toward the hospital.
The program went live Aug. 24 following months of collaboration, training and preparation among the Cape Cod Hospital Trauma Program, CCHC Blood Bank and Hyannis Fire Department — and it has already made a lifesaving impact. Two units of whole blood were recently transfused to help save a patient’s life.
The CCHC Donor Center and Blood Bank work together each week to ensure low-titer group O whole blood is available for the program — another powerful example of how local blood donations can help save lives right here in our community.
To find a blood drive near you and schedule your donation, visit www.capecodhealth.org/ways-to-give/blood-center/
A Sweet Show of Support for Cancer Patients
Zoe Ruggiero, founder of Strength In Sundaes For Cancer Families, recently donated care packets to patients at the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center at Cape Cod Hospital.
A personal experience has inspired one local student to bring comfort and encouragement to others facing cancer.
Zoe Ruggiero, founder of the nonprofit Strength In Sundaes For Cancer Families, recently donated care packets to the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center at Cape Cod Hospital.
Inspired by her father’s cancer journey, Zoe created the packets to provide patients with a little extra support during treatment. Each includes comfort items such as puzzles, lotion and art supplies, along with words of encouragement and other thoughtful gifts designed to bring some brightness during a difficult time.
To help raise money for the care packets, Zoe partners with ice cream shops for fundraisers, including a recent event here on the Cape.
Thank you to Zoe for turning her family’s experience into an opportunity to support cancer patients and families in our community.
