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In This Issue:
Ruddineris “Ruddi” Lara works as an anesthesia technician in BWH’s OR/CSS department.
This month, 23 students—all bound for bright futures—will graduate from BWH’s Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP). This is the second in a two-part series that highlights current SSJP students and alumni.
As a high school student, Ruddineris “Ruddi” Lara dreamt of becoming a nurse. To gain exposure to health care careers, she applied for and was accepted to BWH’s competitive Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP) while she was a student at Madison Park Vocational and Technical High School. She was placed in BWH’s Operating Room/Clinical Support Services (OR/CSS) department, where she worked through her graduation.
Her dream of attending college was placed on hold after the birth of her son, and during that challenging time, Lara turned to her mentors in OR/CSS—the same ones who had hired her while she was an SSJP student. This time, she came on board as an employee.
“SSJP taught me how to pursue my dreams, regardless of the obstacles I might encounter in my life,” said Lara, who graduated from high school and SSJP in 2008 and is now a mother, a full-time nursing student and a full-time anesthesia technician in BWH’s OR/CSS, where her responsibilities include stocking anesthesia carts and assisting anesthesiologists in an array of duties in the OR.
A program within the Center for Community Health and Health Equity, SSJP is a year-round internship program that each year matches 75 Boston high school students with professional mentors in more than 60 BWH departments.
Lara attributes much of her success today to her mentors in both SSJP and OR/CSS.
“I remember walking into the OR for the first time as a student and thinking what an amazing place this is. I still feel like that every day I come into work,” she said. “Working here has given me the opportunity to stay connected to the medical field and the flexibility to pursue a career in nursing.”
While finding a balance among caring for her three-year-old son, working full-time and attending college isn’t always easy, Lara remains steadfastly focused on her original goal.
“My dream is to one day work here as a nurse,” said Lara. “SSJP continues to open doors for me, and if it wasn’t for the program, I wouldn’t be here continuing to pursue my dream.”