July 18, 2003

A celebration of educational achievement

More than 160 supervisors, co-workers, family members and friends gathered at the MGH Workplace Education Program's eighth annual "Celebration of Achievement" ceremony held July 11. Hosted by Carlyene Prince-Erickson, manager of MGH Training and Workforce Development, the event recognized MGHers who completed either a literacy class, one of four levels of English as a Second Language conversation classes or an adult basic education class provided on-site at the hospital. The majority of those who participate in the program are support service staff who come from other countries and are new to speaking English or who never had the opportunity to take an English class.

In a moving ceremony that featured Jean Elrick, MD, senior vice president for Administration, 110 MGH employees were honored, and selected students read samples of deeply personal writings in their new language. Noura Nthela from Environmental Services said, "My job at the MGH is so important for me now because I can go to school to learn more English. I also can understand people better and can make some plans for realizing my dreams in the future." Each student received a certificate and a yearbook, which contained writings from each of their fellow graduates.

The program is sponsored by MGH Human Resources, in conjunction with Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition Services and Patient Care Services. In addition, nearly a dozen other MGH departments provide guest speakers and other resources for the classes. Eleven volunteers, who assisted with such tasks as conducting small study groups to prepare for citizenship, also were honored at the ceremony.

Instruction is provided by staff from Jewish Vocational Service, a nonprofit educational and refugee resettlement agency based in Boston. For more information about the program, contact MGH Training and Workforce Development at MGHtraining@partners.org or call Jane Ravid at (617) 724-3976.