Dr. Cotter grew up in Seattle before heading east for college at Whitman
in Walla Walla, where she pursued her interests in biologic sciences,
community service, and music. She then returned to Seattle to attend medical
school at the University of Washington and had a blast exploring the WWAMI
region during her clinical years. Among Dr. Cotter’s many reasons
for choosing family medicine were the opportunities for longitudinal and
full-scope care for patients of all ages, the opportunity to holistically
evaluate patients with undifferentiated complaints, and the opportunity
to engage with and advocate for her community from a primary care standpoint.
For residency, Dr. Cotter left Washington for Northern California where
she attended UC Davis Family and Community Medicine Residency. At UC Davis
she learned to practice in both community and academic settings, and developed
her passion for caring for the underserved through longitudinal work in
FQHC and free clinic settings. Also at UC Davis she discovered that she
truly enjoys medical education and participating in clinical teaching.
Dr. Cotter was excited to return to the Northwest to join the St Peter
Family Residency program where she continues to pursue her interests in
education, caring for the underserved, advocacy, and full scope primary
care. In her free time, Dr. Cotter enjoys spending time out of doors,
reading, baking bread, music, and working on crafts.