When patients come to see Dr. Ron Strobel at his cardiology practice in Englewood, they are frequently escorted to the exam room by Zev Michenberg, a student at SINAI’s Rabbi Mark and Linda Karasick Shalem High School at TABC.
“Patients smile when they meet Zev,” said Dr. Strobel. “It’s clear to them that this kind, capable young man is helping out the office while he is also learning by doing. Having Zev in the office has been a real win-win—for him, because he is gaining real experience, and for us, because he lifts the spirit of the whole staff and genuinely helps the practice run more smoothly.”
This mutually beneficial relationship started shortly after last year’s SINAI dinner. “At the dinner, SINAI’s president, Tzvi Solomon, made a pitch for getting additional partners for vocational training for some of the students, and I remember thinking to myself, there’s no reason I can’t invite a student to come work with us,” said Dr. Strobel.
“When Dr. Strobel first reached out, we discussed what type of work one of our students might do that would be both helpful to the practice and provide a meaningful learning opportunity for a student,” said SINAI Director, Hannah Cowan. “Dr. Strobel collaborated with us in figuring this out.”
Through SINAI’s Vocational Preparedness Program, students in the Rabbi Mark & Linda Karasick Shalem High Schools are paired with businesses and organizations where they practice vocational skills while learning responsibility, communication skills, and troubleshooting, and gaining independence. Students go each week to their vocational sites with a job coach who provides ongoing supervision and training while facilitating problem-solving and helping the student manage new situations as they arise.
“I was worried at first that hosting a student might be a burden on the practice staff,” said Dr. Strobel. “But having the job coach come with Zev each week made it easy for everyone. There haven’t been any problems–only benefits.”
With the support of his job coach and the practice staff, Zev has been able to take on more and more responsibility. He prepares the exam rooms between patients, escorts patients into the exam room, and helps with the paperwork, which is a critical part of any medical practice. “From the moment Zev started working there, everyone in the office has treated him as part of the team,” said Cowan.
“I like the work I do at the office, and the people I work with are so kind,” said Zev.
Dr. Strobel and his wife, Diane, are longtime supporters of SINAI. They will be honored at this year’s SINAI Dinner on February 22 at the Glenpointe Marriott in Teaneck, NJ. To make a reservation for the dinner or donate in their honor, visit www.sinaidinner.org.
To learn more about SINAI’s Vocational Preparedness Program and how your organization or business can become a Voc Partner, visit sinaischools.org/voc-partner.
To read this article as it originally appeared in the Jewish Link, click here.