From Intern To Impact
At Citizens Medical Center, investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals is more than a commitment, it is a longstanding priority. Through internships, clinical rotations, student observations, and other hands-on learning experiences, students have opportunities to learn alongside experienced healthcare professionals while exploring a variety of career paths.
One of those students was Malachi Cotter, who began his journey at Citizens Medical Center as an intern while attending University of Houston-Victoria, now Texas A&M University-Victoria. Today, he serves as an Exercise Physiologist and Program Coordinator at Citizens HealthPlex, helping patients and community members improve their health through medically guided exercise programs.
Cotter was pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a pre-allied health focus during his internship. Personal experiences as an athlete, recovering from injuries, and seeing loved ones work through health challenges inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare.
"I wanted to learn how exercise could be used in a medical setting, not just for performance, but to improve people's health and quality of life," said Cotter.
Citizens Medical Center offered the opportunity he was looking for: a chance to learn in a real healthcare environment while working alongside experienced professionals and interacting with patients.
During his internship, Cotter gained hands-on experience working with patients across a variety of rehabilitation and wellness programs. His responsibilities ranged from assisting patients during cardiac rehabilitation sessions and monitoring exercise programs to helping individuals develop healthy habits and safely begin their fitness journeys.
"What surprised me most was the opportunity to learn from a variety of settings, patients, and healthcare professionals," said Cotter. "I wasn't just in one area doing the same thing every day. Being exposed to different aspects of patient care helped me understand how the various parts of healthcare connect."
The experience provided valuable clinical and professional skills, including patient communication, understanding vital signs, exercise programming, and adapting care to meet individual needs. Just as importantly, it helped him discover where his passion and talents could make the greatest impact.
Following his internship, Cotter accepted a full-time position with Citizens HealthPlex, where he now works with patients transitioning from cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, bariatric services, and other medical programs into long-term exercise and wellness plans.
In addition to working directly with patients, Cotter has become involved in community outreach efforts, providing injury prevention education to students and athletes and participating in local career days to introduce young people to healthcare careers.
"Healthcare has many different career paths, including exercise, rehabilitation, wellness, and prevention," said Cotter. "I enjoy sharing that with students and helping them see opportunities they may not have considered."
As an international student who moved from England to pursue his education in the United States, Cotter says his journey from intern to employee represents perseverance, growth, and opportunity.
"Being able to come in as an intern, learn, prove myself, and then become an employee is something I am proud of," he said.
For Citizens Medical Center, stories like Cotter's demonstrate the value of investing in student learning experiences and creating pathways for future healthcare professionals.
"Internships provide students with more than classroom knowledge. They offer real-world experience, mentorship, and exposure to the many career opportunities available in healthcare," said Sarah Austin, Director of Human Resources. "We're proud to help students develop their skills, discover their passions, and build meaningful careers serving our community."
Today, Cotter continues to help patients improve their health while serving as an example of how hands-on learning, mentorship, and opportunity can transform a student's career path into a profession dedicated to making a difference.