Brilliantly Different is a heartwarming children’s coloring book that celebrates kids with developmental disabilities and the unique strengths that make every child special. Through simple, bold illustrations, the book features children with a variety of abilities and experiences, encouraging readers to see differences as something beautiful and valuable. Each page highlight's themes of kindness, inclusion, courage, and friendship, helping children understand that everyone learns, communicates, and grows in their own way. Brilliantly Different aims to inspire empathy, celebrate neurodiversity, and remind children that being different is not something to hide—it is something to be proud of.

Covenant Health, along with Knox County Schools and Sertoma, celebrates graduates of its Project SEARCH initiative at Parkwest Medical Center, a hands-on, transition-to-work program for individuals with developmental disabilities. The graduation ceremony was held May 15 at Parkwest, honoring graduates like Cara Sides who has been hired by Covenant Health. Image courtesy of Covenant Health

Covenant Health, along with Knox County Schools and Sertoma, celebrated graduates of its Project SEARCH initiative, a hands-on, transition-to-work program for individuals with developmental disabilities, during a ceremony held May 15 at Parkwest Medical Center. An additional ceremony is scheduled for Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center graduates on May 20.

The program was the first of its kind in East Tennessee when it was launched in 2019 at Parkwest and has since expanded to Fort Sanders. The initiative is a partnership with Knox County Schools and Sertoma to bridge the gap between education and employment for students with disabilities, promoting inclusion and long-term success.

Since its inception, 73 interns have graduated from the program, and 29 have been hired by Covenant Health to work at Parkwest and Fort Sanders. The Covenant partnership is nationally recognized by Project SEARCH each year for outstanding employment outcomes – and the results go beyond the numbers.

Shift leader Angie Grubb with intern Cara Sides; Image courtesy of Covenant Health

“The impact of our Project SEARCH program continues to be both profound and inspiring,” said Kevin Sconion, materials management manager at Parkwest Medical Center, who hosts interns in his department. “Each year, our interns bring joy, positivity and a renewed sense of purpose to our workplace. I remind my employees who are graduates to not let their disabilities define their capabilities.”

The internship program integrates the Project SEARCH model, combining a high school environment with hands-on training at hospitals. Throughout the program, interns participate in life skills instruction such as financial literacy and self-advocacy provided by Knox County special education teachers and certified skills trainers.

At the hospital, interns complete two-three rotations, learning job skills like making bed rolls, stocking drawers, bagging bakery items, delivering supplies and dressing stretchers. Each intern is paired with a Covenant Health mentor to help foster relationships and maximize success.

The program is open to Knox County students aged 18-22 who are working toward a special education, occupational or alternate academic diploma.

“When we say every student in Knox County, we mean every student, and Project SEARCH is a powerful example of that commitment,” said Dr. Jon Rysewyk, Superintendent of Knox County Schools. “It has created meaningful opportunities for students to gain workforce experience, independence, and long-term success.”

Through the partnership with Covenant Health, Sertoma, and multiple KCS departments, Project SEARCH provided 21 student interns with more than 18,000 hours of workforce training last year. Many participating students remain employed two and three years after completing the program, which Rysewyk said, “has given them the direction in life and the independence they need.”

Last year, all of the 21 Project SEARCH interns were gainfully employed after graduation, and many are now living independently. Of the 29 interns hired at Covenant in the last seven years, 17 remain employed at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Parkwest Medical Center, while others have maintained positions with other local organizations.

As one graduate’s parent movingly shared at last year’s graduation: “This program changes lives – and not just those of the interns.”

Project SEARCH was first developed in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital when the director of the emergency department wondered if it would be possible to train people with developmental disabilities to fill some of the high-turnover, entry-level positions in her department. Since then, the initiative has grown from a single program site to a vast and expanding network of international sites. Project SEARCH’s primary mission is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities.

Covenant Health is East Tennessee’s largest private employer with 14,300 employees and contractors providing care to individuals and families in the region. The healthcare delivery enterprise was recently recognized as one of the best large employers in the country, ranked at No. 43 out of 700 on the Forbes 2026 “America’s Best Large Employers” list.

The health system also has been recognized 12 times by Newsweek on various “America’s Greatest Workplaces” lists. Most recently, this includes “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women” and “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging and Community” on 2026 lists.

Explore open positions at CovenantHealth.com/Careers.

About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is an East Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strives to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest private employer with more than 14,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees, in addition to valuable volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.