The following is courtesy of North Shore Medical Center's Kevin Ronningen.

On Aug. 19, North Shore Medical Center welcomed U.S. Representative John Tierney (D), Sixth Essex District, to its Salem
Hospital location.

The congressman spoke with 15 Salem and Lynn students with
summer jobs at NSMC and Spaulding Hospital North Shore, discussing their job experiences and their perspective on the value of summer employment opportunities.

Congressman Tierney says youth underemployment is a big problem that he’s working hard to address.

“The number of youths struggling to find jobs in our community is astonishing,” said Congressman Tierney. “Through the FirstJobs program, these teens are getting a rare opportunity, one that puts them ahead of their peers. I applaud Partners HealthCare for
this commitment and challenge others employers to join in the effort to employ young people.”

“Giving the youth of our communities an opportunity to gain healthcare experience in their own back yard and help to make a valuable contribution to our patients is a true win for everyone. This program will have far reaching benefits for years to come and invests
in the next generation of healthcare leaders that serve the North Shore," said Maureen Banks, President, Spaulding Hospital North Shore.

The meeting showcased a successful local youth employment initiative called FirstJobs, funded by Partners HealthCare, which is employing the students in paid positions at NSMC Union Hospital, NSMC Salem Hospital and Spaulding Hospital North Shore in Salem.

The 15 students hold positions within administrative areas, grounds and maintenance, food services, and even the operating room.

This was really an eye opening experience for me,” said Brian Lequizamon, a high school student from Lynn who spent the summer as an operating room assistant at NSMC. “It made me realize that in the future I want to do something that helps people.”

The FirstJobs program employed the teens for eight weeks. These summer jobs offer opportunities to build new relationships, exposure to a professional healthcare environment and a way to earn some money.

“I know first hand how important and experience like this can be,” explained Diane Savastano, and administrative assistant at Spaulding Hospital North Shore’s Peabody location. “More than 20 years ago I was given a similar opportunity and it led me down a fantastic career path. I’ve been working for Partners HealthCare for 16 years now.”

“Helping young people make these kinds of choices is core to our mission of community health, and we are delighted to work with NSMC and Spaulding in providing this summer jobs program,” said Gary Gottlieb, MD, President and CEO of Partners HealthCare.

Click here for more information on FirstJobs.