Emily Cohea

About Emily Cohea

I am a Physician Assistant with a unique career trajectory that bridges clinical excellence, medical education, and healthcare business operations. My experience spans from clinical practice in General Surgery, Hospital Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, and over a decade in the medical device industry including roles in clinical sales and support, operations, and market development. I bring a systems-level understanding of healthcare delivery that is both patient-centered and operationally informed.I currently practice clinically in General Surgery at Watauga Surgical Group where I have the opportunity to first-assist and see patients both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. My approach blends evidence-based medicine with a deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and high-acuity care.Prior to transitioning into General Surgery I worked at Mayo Clinic Arizona practicing as a Hospital Internal Medicine PA-C. I honed my clinical acumen through a rigorous postgraduate NP/PA Fellowship in Hospital Internal Medicine and remained on staff to care for medically complex patients with a large population of those being solid organ transplant and oncology patients. I\'m passionate about lifelong learning, peer education, and clinical mentorship.My foundation in business (B.S. in Marketing & International Business) combined with a Master of Medical Science in PA Studies and graduate certificates in both Medical Education and the Business of Healthcare positions me at the intersection of clinical care and executive decision-making. I’ve collaborated across disciplines, from front-line patient care to strategic roles in companies like Medtronic, and understand how to translate clinical insight into scalable solutions that improve outcomes, optimize workflows, and support institutional goals.Let’s connect if you’re looking to collaborate with someone who has firsthand knowledge of clinical experience, a strong business acumen, and a passion for systems-wide impact!

Experience

1. Surgical Physician Assistant

   Watauga Surgical Group

   Dec 2025 — Present · Boone, NC, US

Education

• The University of Texas at San Antonio

  Graduate Certificate

• Tecnológico de Monterrey

  Study Abroad

• Wake Forest School of Medicine

  Master of Science - MS

  2021 — 2023

• Iowa State University

  Bachelor of Science