Texas A&M International University and Medline Launch Internship Program for Engineering Students

Laredo, TX – Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) School of Engineering and Medline, the largest privately-held medical products distributor and manufacturer in North America, are partnering to launch an internship program creating hands-on workplace experiences and recruitment opportunities for TAMIU Engineering students.

Through this program, TAMIU Systems Engineering students can obtain internship positions at Medline’s state-of-the-art surgical procedure trays manufacturing facility in Laredo. Expanded in 2017, the 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility plays a vital role in supplying healthcare systems nationwide with surgical procedure trays used in everything from hip replacements to open-heart surgeries. It employs over 300 people.

TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas Mitchell said the program is mutually beneficial for TAMIU and Medline.

 “Medline’s facility in Laredo has brought hundreds of good jobs to the Laredo community over the past decade, and TAMIU’s talented students will further support the continued growth and success of their operation, while enriching their University experience,” Dr. Mitchell observed.

Dr. Claudia San Miguel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, home of the School of Engineering, concurred, noting the College places significant focus on hands-on, real-life setting educational opportunities.

 “Engineering is the discipline of ‘doing,’ and this is why our engineering programs have built-in internship components where our students get degree credit for completing an internship,” Dr. San Miguel explained.

San Miguel expressed her gratitude to Medline for engaging with the University to make the internship program happen.

 “We are excited to have a world-class facility open to our students to both apply and acquire knowledge, ” she said.

The partnership is the product of several meetings Dr. Mahmoud T. Khasawneh, interim director for the School of Engineering, had with corporate and regional Medline representatives.

 “TAMIU’s Systems Engineering program is at the forefront of providing work-ready graduates. This internship program with Medline is a testament to our continued commitment to that,” Dr. Khasawneh said.

He emphasized that the Systems Engineering program produces versatile engineers and positions students interning at Medline to make immediate contributions and be quick learners. 

“The Systems Engineering degree plan is interdisciplinary, and students are exposed to coursework and research in industrial engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering, among others,” he explained, “This coursework culminates in systems design and analysis coursework that bring all these disciplines together in an integrated and industry-neutral manner.”

Kavita Idnani-Ramos, Medline’s Laredo Human Resources Manager, affirmed TAMIU students’ versatility, with School alumni working at the company quickly learning new processes and concepts and immediately contributing to company success.

“TAMIU’s engineering program equips their students to succeed in the workplace,” said Idnani-Ramos, herself a 2004  alumnus, “Oftentimes, it is difficult to recruit for engineering positions given the overall demand. Our partnership with TAMIU not only provides students the benefit of gaining work experience with an industry-leading company, but we also get to show why a career at Medline is so rewarding.”

TAMIU and Medline expect the first intern to join the company in May 2022. The company also operates a sister facility in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, México. 

The TAMIU Systems Engineering program is ABET-accredited and was established in 2009. Program graduates have had a prestigious job and graduate school placement in Fortune 500 companies and leading universities respectively.

About Medline

Medline is a healthcare company; a manufacturer, distributor, and solutions provider focused on improving the overall operating performance of healthcare. Partnering with healthcare systems and facilities across the continuum of care, Medline provides the clinical and supply chain resources required for long-term financial viability in delivering high-quality care.

With the scale of one of the country’s largest companies and the agility of a family-led business, Medline is able to invest in its customers for the future and rapidly respond to a dynamically changing market with customized solutions. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., Medline has 30,000+ employees worldwide and does business in more than 125 countries and territories. Learn more about Medline at www.medline.com.

About TAMIU

A Member of The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a primarily Hispanic-serving, State-assisted university founded in 1970. Its 300-acre campus is located in northeast Laredo, TX on former ranchland. 

It is home to a diverse enrollment of over 8,450 students from some 31 countries and 28 US states. TAMIU offers transformative undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing. As its name affirms, the University maintains a special focus on developing an international academic agenda for the State of Texas. Its 30,000+ graduates lead lives of change and impact around the world, and just around the corner.  More about the University is available at www.tamiu.edu