Leadership Message: Best Buddies Project SEARCH internship program makes progress

Dear Colleagues,

As we enter the fifth month of the Best Buddies Project SEARCH internship program, I am thrilled to share the remarkable progress and success we have achieved together.

This nine-month, employment-focused internship provides young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a health care environment.

Since the program’s launch in September 2024, it has significantly bolstered hospital operations, advanced our goals for a more inclusive workplace, and fostered a positive atmosphere across UC Davis Health.

The video below, created by Best Buddies International, highlights the interns’ experiences and roles they rotate through during the course of the program. In the mornings, interns participate in classroom learning, and in the afternoons, they gain hands-on experience in departments such as Distribution, Radiology, Guest Relations, Patient Care Services, Patient Support Services, Innovation Technology, and Plant Operations & Maintenance.

By the end of the program, the ultimate goal is to help each intern secure permanent employment—whether within UC Davis Health or with other community organizations. This initiative is especially vital given the challenges individuals with IDD face in the job market, where the unemployment rate is a staggering 83%.

UC Davis Health’s participation in this program is not only helping to address this critical issue but also strengthening our connections with the local community. Thanks to initiatives like this, we’ve reached our recent milestone of 20% local hiring—a testament to our shared commitment to making a meaningful impact.

The contributions of our Best Buddies interns have been an invaluable asset in our mission to deliver excellence in patient care. Programs like Project SEARCH are also about more than employment—they are about creating pathways for connection, opportunity, and shared success.

As we continue this partnership, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you, our employees. Your dedication, support, and commitment to inclusivity have laid the foundation for this partnership. Together, we are demonstrating that inclusivity is not just a principle we uphold—it’s a strength that propels us forward.

Yours in health,

Roxana Carbajal
Interim Director
Employee Relations
UC Davis Health