A Partnership that Leads to Careers

When Lisa Cavallaro, Nurse Director of The Birthplace at Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital, first agreed to welcome Wellspring HOST students as interns in 2015, she already knew Wellspring’s mission and track record. Ten years later, that partnership has become an important bridge between training and employment. 

Today, all four Unit Secretary positions at The Birthplace are held by Wellspring graduates. Over the past decade, 30–40% of HOST graduates who interned at The Birthplace and Special Care Nursery have gone on to be hired there. 

Cavallaro says HOST students arrive ready to contribute:

“They are kind, collegial, highly skilled, quick learners. They bring a lot to the job, most notably their tech-savvy and their ability to engage with patients and their families.” 

Many are bilingual – another important asset in serving patients and families. 

For Cavallaro, the partnership is about more than filling positions. She and her team encourage Wellspring graduates to continue learning, advance into new roles and pursue additional training. 

“I love to see these young people climb the ladder to success. Wellspring gives them the skill and life training they need to put their feet on the first step of the ladder.”