Norfolk General Hospital recognized with Learn Lead Inspire Award

Pictured from left: Paul Found, Job Links Employment Services Supervisor; Jennifer Vanden Hengel, Skills Trainer and Job Coach, NACL; Ryan Nightingale, Project SEARCH Teacher and Program Coordinator, Grand Erie District School Board; and Kerri Emberlin, Director of Volunteer & Spiritual Care Services and Project SEARCH Business Liaison at NGH.

(SIMCOE, ON) – Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) has received the Grand Erie District School Board’s (Grand Erie) Learn Lead Inspire Award for its work with Project SEARCH, a program that helps students with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain job skills and find employment in our community.

The award recognizes individuals and teams who make outstanding contributions to learning, well-being and belonging. Our community partners, the Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL) and Job Links, also received this recognition.

Project SEARCH began at NGH in September 2023 through a partnership with Grand Erie and NACL. The program gives students hands-on work experience at NGH and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home (NHNH), where staff mentors help them develop practical job skills.

In 2024/25, every Project SEARCH Norfolk graduate found employment. Of more than 500 Project SEARCH sites, Norfolk was one of just 45 to achieve a 100 per cent employment rate.

Kerri Emberlin, Director of Volunteer & Spiritual Care Services and Project SEARCH Business Liaison at NGH, said the award reflects the dedication of everyone involved.

“I feel privileged and honoured to receive this award on behalf of the incredible efforts of our team and most importantly for our staff at NGH who have shown compassion and commitment in supporting our interns.”

Ryan Nightingale, Project SEARCH Grand Erie Teacher and Program Coordinator, also recognized the important role of hospital mentors.

“This award is significant to NGH as it confirms the dedication of the mentors who have taught and supported our students during their internships throughout the year.”

The award recognizes the Project SEARCH Norfolk team, including Ryan Nightingale, Kerri Emberlin, Paul Found (Job Links) and Jenn VandenHengel (NACL).

This is the second award NGH has received for its work with Project SEARCH. In 2024, NGH received the Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Award for its efforts to create more inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

“This project is truly a community effort to assist students in finding meaningful employment, said Paul Found, Employment Services Supervisor at Job Links. “We appreciate the support of our community partners in welcoming our Project SEARCH graduates into their work environments and staff teams for the past three years. The experiences the graduates and present interns gain are making them desirable employees for our community and this makes us feel very proud of them and this program.”

A special thank you to our staff mentors at NGH and NHNH. Your dedication, patience and support have made a lasting difference in the lives of our interns. By sharing your knowledge, providing hands-on training and believing in their abilities, you have helped students gain the confidence and skills to succeed in the workplace. Their success reflects your commitment and the important difference you make in their lives.

Media Contact:

Aaron Gautreau
Director of Communications and Public Relations
W: 519-426-0130 ext. 2454