Global Cleveland’s pilot program, the English and Pathways for Healthcare Professionals, graduated 19 students on Saturday, March 17. The five-month pilot program was designed to help immigrants with their English as well as find jobs that match the skills they developed in their home countries. 

“Everyone was very thankful for the program, each for slightly different reasons” says Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “They were very grateful for the experience -- it made Cleveland a very special place in their minds.”

Students studied English medical terminology, learned about the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, went on a field trip to the Cleveland Clinic, obtained certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and participated in a college fair and an interviewing and resume writing workshop.

“They walked away with the basic skills,” says Miller. The graduates are now working with a career counselor who will help them on job placement.

Miller was struck by the students’ determination. “I was really impressed with some of their stories,” he says. “These are people who were involved in medicine and to go to another country, it’s very difficult landing in a new culture and a new country.”

A second class is planned for later this year, as well as one in the Akron area. “We think it’s one of the first and best successes,” Miller says of the pilot program. “We look forward to another one.”

Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly