THE FOLLOW IS A HORIZON HEALTH RELEASE
(Paris, IL)—Of the many clinical rotations he will complete at nearly 10 hospitals during medical school, Horizon Health will be among the most memorable, said medical student Pete Hellwarth.
During his senior year at Indiana University School of Medicine–Terre Haute, Hellwarth spent a month training under the guidance of Horizon Health general surgeons Drs. Yaniv Cozacov and Fouad Hachem, who also specialize in bariatric surgery.
A native of a small rural town in east-central Indiana, Hellwarth said he chose a general surgery elective at a critical access hospital because it aligned with his interests and background. That decision brought him to Horizon Health.
“The care I saw at Horizon Health was amazing,” Hellwarth said. “The people who work there see the impact in their work, and it empowers them. Horizon Health is a very special hospital.”
Surgeons and Mentors
Another highlight at Horizon Health, Hellwarth said, was the month-long opportunity to learn alongside two expert surgeons and mentors. During that time, he observed a wide range of procedures, including bariatric surgery, colonoscopies, appendectomies, gallbladder removal surgeries, and hernia repairs.
“Dr. Hachem and Dr. Cozacov love the work they do and really care about their patients,” Hellwarth said. “They’re both artists and have mastery in their work.”
His advice to future medical students is to “absorb as much as you can” during every opportunity for hands-on clinical training.
“I really feel like I gained a ton of knowledge [at Horizon Health] and I am leaps ahead of some of my classmates as a result of that rotation,” he added.
The Physicians of Tomorrow
Both Horizon Health surgeons emphasized that hosting medical students is about much more than education—it is an investment in the future of healthcare for the entire region.
“If we want future patients to receive exceptional care, we have a responsibility to provide exceptional training today,” said Dr. Cozacov. “Every student who rotates through our department represents an opportunity to help shape the future of medicine.”
According to Dr. Hachem, the relationship between physicians, students, and patients creates a unique partnership that benefits the entire community.
“Medical education cannot happen solely in a classroom,” he said. “Students need real-world experiences and mentorship from practicing physicians. Our community embraces that responsibility.”
Hellwarth said one piece of advice from Dr. Cozacov will stay with him long after his rotation.
“Dr. Cozacov said, ‘The grass is greener where you water it.’ It was apparent to me that everyone on the team was watering the grass and making [Horizon Health] a better place,” Hellwarth said.
