July 13, 2007

Learning English takes hard work, dedication and support

"Thank you to everyone, generations past and present. Thank you to all of the staff at MGH," read Edline Dauphin of MGH Nutrition and Food Services, a student in the MGH's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program. "Today, I can take a microphone and talk to you in English."

Dauphin was one of 110 adult learners honored June 22 in the MGH Workplace Education Program's annual Celebration of Achievement. In her welcoming remarks, Carlyene Prince-Erickson, director of Employee Education and Leadership Development, noted that the ESOL Program is the flagship program of the Training and Workforce Development Office. She thanked the students for their dedication to learning and the students' managers for supporting their employees.

While family members, coworkers and special guests looked on, students from each of the 10 classes read a sample of their work, sharing personal stories about their home countries, their jobs at the MGH and aspects of their daily lives. Many spoke of waking up before dawn and caring for their families long after their workdays are over. The students then received certificates of recognition. Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources, voiced the sentiments of many when he remarked, "These employees make me proud to work at the MGH."

Felix Arroyo, Boston city councilor at large, gave the keynote address. Himself an immigrant who struggled to learn English, Arroyo said he felt great empathy for those being honored. "The MGH recognizes that these employees are worthy," he said. "This is a great institution because it values its employees like a family values its own members."