Internship Program Fosters Employment and Independence
As part of a long-standing partnership with the Project Search program and local school systems, Cleveland Clinic Martin North and Tradition Hospitals held two graduation ceremonies in May. Fifteen students from the Exceptional Student Education Program celebrated the completion of a one-year internship within the hospitals as part of their high school education.
The interns worked side-by-side with caregivers in areas such as food services, materials management, environmental services, clerical, nursing and surgical services — gaining essential “soft” skills for their future workplaces. Through hands-on experience and guidance from their mentors, they honed communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability and time management skills. As they pushed past their comfort zones and tackled challenges, their confidence grew — setting them up for success.
Project Search was founded on the belief that people with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment. The organization strongly believes and expects that each intern can achieve the goal of competitive employment.
Fueled by generous donations in the community, Project Search has raised more than $90,000 to advance its mission—providing scholarships, uniforms, lunch stipends, laptops, interview attire and other essentials that help participants succeed.
Shirley Adames, program manager for the Florida Education Institute at Cleveland Clinic in Florida, says this is the 15th year of the partnership with Project Search. “It’s a meaningful program for us, as well,” Shirley says. “We’re grateful for the hard work the students do, plus it’s great that they’re gaining practical experience for the future.”
Ross Poirier, one of the Project Search interns, completed three different rotations within Martin North Hospital. Working alongside a mentor, Ross developed a high level of independence and time management skills. His tasks included pulling the charts for the next day’s patients and filing them appropriately, restocking patient rooms, emptying dirty linen bags and keeping the lobby clean.
"My favorite part was that I get to learn many different things and take on different challenges," Ross says. Since graduating high school, Ross will be putting the skills he learned in the internship program to work at his new job in a Martin County School District cafeteria.
The More You Give, the More You Get
For Joe Lubeck, giving isn’t just a gesture—it’s a philosophy, a calling, and a reflection of a life transformed by second chances. A successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, Joe has made it a personal mission to support world-class medical care, both because he believes in it and because he’s lived it.
Joe’s connection to Cleveland Clinic began years ago, not as a patient, but as a son. His father, once estranged, had become a good grandfather and a part of Joe’s life again when he began to have serious heart trouble. Specialists in Philadelphia delivered a stark diagnosis: he needed complex surgery—and the best place to get it was Cleveland Clinic. “The surgeon there said, ‘I do this once a week. The guy in Cleveland does it every day,’” Joe recalls. They came together to Cleveland, and his father underwent a major cardiac procedure and went on to live another 23 healthy years.
A Family History of Heart Disease
That experience would shape Joe’s future more than he could have imagined. Heart disease runs deep in his family—his mother passed away from it, and Joe himself began experiencing complications years later. After multiple stents and worsening symptoms, Joe once again turned to Cleveland Clinic. What he didn’t know at the time was just how serious his condition had become, as he continued to work and travel as always.
“My case was complex,” he says. “It wasn’t plumbing—it was electrical and mechanical.” He had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation that resisted earlier treatments, and diabetes. “My doctors told that I needed a hybrid ablation, and once again, Cleveland Clinic was the place to do it.”
The three-hour surgery ran into five hours, and Joe spent two weeks recovering in the hospital. But thanks to the skill of his care team—including Dr. Walid Saliba and Dr. Daniel Soltesz—he emerged stronger than he’d felt in decades. “I’ve had no Afib, no pain. I feel better than I did at 40.” Joe just completed his annual checkup, with nothing but positive results. He now works out with a trainer 3-4 days per week and is more involved than ever in business and philanthropy.
Making Sure Others Have the Same Access
Today, Joe is grateful—not just for his recovery, but for the opportunity to give back. His family has endowed a cardiac fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Weston to expand world-class cardiac care in South Florida. “They saved my life,” he says. “This is my way of making sure others have access to that same level of care.”
Joe’s approach to philanthropy is rooted in values passed down from his grandfather: Give while the hand is warm. Help others while you’re here to witness the impact. Though his giving is often quiet, he believes there are moments when sharing your name can inspire others to follow. “That’s something I learned through my Jewish studies,” he says. “Anonymous giving is noble, but if your example encourages someone else to give, that can be just as meaningful.”
Joe is also motivated by enlightened capitalism—the idea that business success carries with it a responsibility to build community. Through his company’s health benefits and job creation, and through philanthropy, he's working to widen the circle of opportunity and access.
Looking ahead, Joe plans to do more. He’s already helped fund critical work at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where his grandson received life-changing care. And now, with Cleveland Clinic, he’s focused on helping expand access to innovative cardiac care and research that can benefit patients far beyond those who can afford to fly to Cleveland.
“I’ve been blessed,” he says. “And the more you give, the more you get. I’m living proof of that.”
