December Student of the Month: Zachary Coats, OMS-III

ACOI recognizes osteopathic medical students who are outstanding members of their medical schools and communities with the Student of the Month Recognition Program.

Please join us in congratulating the December winner: Zachary Coats, OMS-III, Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Student Doctor Coats is the President of the Internal Medicine Club at MWU/CCOM. He also spent his time between first and second year of osteopathic medical school in Cameroon and Kenya. This time is often spent by students demonstrating their true passion, and Coats has shown his commitment and drive towards helping the underserved abroad. In 2022 he also participated in a medical mission trip to South America, working in mobile clinics and helping with immunizations to promote wellness and disease prevention with a public health focus. 

Student Doctor Coats organized and led a volunteer event at Feed My Starving Children, packaging meals that would be delivered across the world as an example of his commitment to giving back to the community and beyond. 

Coats has also volunteered at free clinics in Chicago with the diverse nature of these clinics allowing him to touch the lives of patients from many countries, particularly immigrants from South and Southeast Asia. 

Through Student Doctor Coats's leadership, dedication to international service, and upholding of the osteopathic oath, he is a role model osteopathic medical student. 

Meet Zachary Coats

What is your hometown?
Chillicothe, OH.

What is your education?

• University of Miami - BA in Psychology, minors in Biology and Chemistry.
• Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine 

What are your hobbies?
Anything outdoors, exercising, traveling, watching college football.

What are three things people may not know about you?

• I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro
• I have had a wide range of pets, everything from dogs to bearded dragons, a scorpion,
  and sixteen ducks.
• After graduating college I lived in a van for a month with a few friends. We drove around and camped all over the Western United States. 

How has ACOI helped you in your education so far?
ACOI has provided me opportunities to network with and learn from internists across the country in various ways. Through the ACOI visiting professor program, our internal medicine interest group was able to review important aspects of residency applications. I was also able to travel to the ACOI Annual Convention since registration is free for students.

Do you have an idea of what specialty you would like to go into?
Cardiology