Jessica N. Cohan
( out of 124 reviews )

Jessica N. Cohan, MD, MAS, FACS, FASCRS

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 3A, Gastrointestinal
Salt Lake City
801-587-5854
Directions

University of Utah Hospital

General Surgery, Area E
Salt Lake City
801-587-5854
Directions

  • Dr. Jessica Cohan is board-certified in both colorectal and general surgery. Her clinical practice includes the treatment of cancers of the small bowel, colon, and rectum, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, fistulas, and many other diseases of the digestive tract and anal area. She is trained in minimally invasive techniques as well as complex and revisional surgery. She believes that patients should be empowered to actively participate in their medical and surgical care because treatment is most effective when the patient and provider form a treatment team. She enjoys educating patients about their health and treatment options, developing treatment plans that center around what matters most to her patients.

    Dr. Cohan graduated summa cum laude from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Following medical school at Cornell, Dr. Cohan completed her General Surgery training at the University of California San Francisco where she was awarded the Lawrence W. Way Critical Thinking and the Haile T. Debas Resident Teaching Awards. She completed a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Massachusetts. She treats patients at the University Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery
    American Board of Surgery

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 124 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    March 28, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Dr. Cohan is an excellent surgeon, who I literally trust with my life. My husband and I are extremely grateful for her amazing qualities, both as a physician and as a human being.

    February 27, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Dr. Cohan is very knowledgeable and considerate in the true sense of the word. She is an exceptional listener. She takes the time to explain procedures in detail and gives you the time to ask questions.

    February 22, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I would recommend her to anyone needing this type of surgery and care.

    February 22, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Cohan is a great doctor. So helpful and knowledgeable.

    January 24, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    I feel very fortunate that Dr. Cohan is part of my medical team.

    January 21, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Cohan has gone above and beyond to address my medical needs. I appreciate the time she has taken to answer all my questions and address any concerns I had.

    January 15, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Awesome experience. Explained surgery process very thoroughly. She listened to me and showed respect for my concerns and my experiences. I felt like I had finally found the answers to my needs. She is compassionate and caring. I look forward to my upcoming surgery and I feel she cares about me and my situation. I feel blessed finding the kind of surgeon that has provided me with confidence due to her skills and knowledge.

    December 13, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Nicest doctor I have ever met. Never rushed me through the appointment.

    November 29, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Jessica Cohan MD was very professional. She explained everything in terms that a non medical professional ould understand.

  • Dr. Jessica Cohan is board-certified in both colorectal and general surgery. Her clinical practice includes the treatment of cancers of the small bowel, colon, and rectum, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, fistulas, and many other diseases of the digestive tract and anal area. She is trained in minimally invasive techniques as well as complex and revisional surgery. She believes that patients should be empowered to actively participate in their medical and surgical care because treatment is most effective when the patient and provider form a treatment team. She enjoys educating patients about their health and treatment options, developing treatment plans that center around what matters most to her patients.

    Dr. Cohan graduated summa cum laude from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Following medical school at Cornell, Dr. Cohan completed her General Surgery training at the University of California San Francisco where she was awarded the Lawrence W. Way Critical Thinking and the Haile T. Debas Resident Teaching Awards. She completed a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Massachusetts. She treats patients at the University Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor
    Population Health Sciences -Adjunct Assistant Professor
    Academic Divisions Surgical Oncology
    Board Certification
    American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery
    American Board of Surgery

    Education history

    Fellowship Colorectal Surgery - Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Fellow
    Fellowship Health Policy - University of California, San Francisco, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies Fellow
    Graduate Training Clinical Research - University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine M.A.S.
    Residency General Surgery - University of California, San Francisco Resident
    Professional Medical Medicine - Weill Cornell Medical College M.D.
    Undergraduate Microbiology - California Polytechnic State University B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Leonard ME, Williamson AJH, Weiss R, Kaphingst KA, Supiano MA, Cohan JN (2025). A Framework to Optimize Primary Care of Older Surgical Patients: A Qualitative Study of Geriatricians. JAMA Netw Open, 8(1), e2456787. (Read full article)
    2. Johnson JE, Pauleck S, Williamson AJH, Pahlkotter M, Brecha FS, Ferre N, Ortiz N, Marcus RL, Hardikar S, Cohan JN (2025). Barriers and Facilitators to Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Health Fair Attendees in Utah. J Prim Care Community Health, 16, 21501319251316659. (Read full article)
    3. Cohan JN (2024). Ensuring Goal-Aligned Care in a Busy Surgical Practice. Semin Colon Rectal Surg, 35(4). (Read full article)
    4. Tripathi N, Gebrael G, Chigarira B, Sahu KK, Balasubramanian I, Caparas C, Mathew Thomas V, Cohan JN, Pelletier K, Maughan BL, Agarwal N, Swami U, Gupta S (2024). Treatment Patterns and Outcomes by Age in Metastatic Urinary Tract Cancer: A Retrospective Tertiary Cancer Center Analysis. Cancers (Basel), 16(11). (Read full article)
    5. Leonard ME, Horns JJ, Allen-Brady K, Ozanne EM, Wallace AS, Brooke BS, Supiano MA, Cohan JN (2024). Recurrence of severe diverticulitis is associated with age and birth decade. J Gastrointest Surg, 28(4), 507-512. (Read full article)
    6. Williamson AJH, Cain BT, Hoggan TJ, Larsen MW, Kimball ER, Bloomquist K, Galyean PO, Zickmund S, Cohan JN (2023). Challenges and Opportunities in the Elective Management of Diverticulitis: Perspectives From a National Sample of Colorectal Surgeons. Dis Colon Rectum, 67(2), 264-272. (Read full article)
    7. Cohan JN, Horns JJ, Ramsay JM, Huang LC, Allen-Brady K (2023). Diverticulitis Familiality: A Statewide Case-Control Study. J Am Coll Surg. (Read full article)
    8. Himbert C, Ose J, Gigic B, Viskochil R, Santuci K, Lin T, Ashworth A, Cohan JN, Scaife CL, Jedrzkiewicz J, Damerell V, Atkins KM, Gong J, Mutch MG, Bernadt C, Felder S, Sanchez J, Cohen SA, Krane MK, Hinkle N, Wood E, Peoples AR, Figueiredo JC, Toriola AT, Siegel EM, Li CI, Shibata D, Boucher K, Round JL, Ulrich AB, Schneider M, Huang LC, Hardikar S, Ulrich CM (2023). Associations of combined physical activity and body mass index groups with colorectal cancer survival outcomes. BMC Cancer, 23(1), 300. (Read full article)
    9. Cohan JN, Horns JJ, Hanson HA, Allen-Brady K, Kieffer MC, Huang LC, Brooke BS (2022). The Association Between Family History and Diverticulitis Recurrence: A Population-Based Study. Dis Colon Rectum, 66(2), 269-277. (Read full article)
    10. Johnson JE, Bleicher J, Blumling AN, Cain BT, Cohan JN, Savarise M, Harris AHS, Kaphingst KA, Huang LC (2022). The Influence of Rural Healthcare Systems and Communities on Surgery and Recovery: A Qualitative Study. J Surg Res, 281, 155-163. (Read full article)
    11. Draper P, Bleicher J, Kobayashi JK, Stauder EL, Stoddard GJ, Johnson JE, Cohan JN, Kaphingst KA, Harris AHS, Huang LC (2022). Patient Willingness to Dispose of Leftover Opioids After Surgery: A Mixed Methods Study. Ann Surg Open, 3(4), e223. (Read full article)
    12. Himbert C, Warby CA, Gigic B, Ose J, Lin T, Viskochil R, Peoples AR, Ashworth A, Schrotz-King P, Scaife CL, Cohan JN, Jedrzkiewicz J, Schirmacher P, Grady WM, Cohen SA, Krane M, Figueiredo JC, Toriola AT, Siegel EM, Shibata D, Round JL, Huang LC, Li CI, Schneider M, Ulrich A, Hardikar S, Ulrich CM (2022). Associations of Individual and Combined Physical Activity and Body Mass Index Groups with Proinflammatory Biomarkers among Colorectal Cancer Patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 31(12), 2148-2156. (Read full article)
    13. Himbert C, Stephens WZ, Gigic B, Hardikar S, Holowatyj AN, Lin T, Ose J, Swanson E, Ashworth A, Warby CA, Peoples AR, Nix D, Jedrzkiewicz J, Bronner M, Pickron B, Scaife C, Cohan JN, Schrotz-King P, Habermann N, Boehm J, Hullar M, Figueiredo JC, Toriola AT, Siegel EM, Li CI, Ulrich AB, Shibata D, Boucher K, Huang LC, Schneider M, Round JL, Ulrich CM (2022). Differences in the gut microbiome by physical activity and BMI among colorectal cancer patients. Am J Cancer Res, 12(10), 4789-4801. (Read full article)
    14. Bleicher J, McGuire LE, Robbins RB, Johnson JE, Fischbuch S, Gupta S, Beck AC, Cohan JN (2022). Preoperative advance care planning for older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery. Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 39(4), 406-412.
    15. Huang LC, Johnson JE, Bleicher J, Blumling AN, Savarise M, Wetter DW, Cohan JN, Harris AAS, Kaphingst KA (2021). Promoting Disposal of Left-Over Opioids After Surgery in Rural Communities: A Qualitative Description Study. Health Educ Behav, 50(2), 10901981211057540. (Read full article)
    16. Bleicher J, Esplin J, Blumling AN, Cohan JN, Savarise Md M, Wetter DW, Harris AHS, Kaphingst KA, Huang LC (2021). Expectation-setting and patient education about pain control in the perioperative setting: A qualitative study. J Opioid Manag, 17(6), 455-464. (Read full article)
    17. Cohan JN, Ozanne EM, Hofer RK, Kelly YM, Kata A, Larsen C, Finlayson E (2021). Ileostomy or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: patient participation and decisional needs. BMC Gastroenterol, 21(1), 347. (Read full article)
    18. Coffman AR, Tao R, Cohan JN, Huang LC, Pickron TB, Torgeson AM, Lloyd S (2020). Factors associated with the refusal of surgery and the associated impact on survival in patients with rectal cancer using the National Cancer Database. J Gastrointest Oncol, 12(4), 1482-1497. (Read full article)
    19. Himbert C, Figueiredo JC, Shibata D, Ose J, Lin T, Huang LC, Peoples AR, Scaife CL, Pickron B, Lambert L, Cohan JN, Bronner M, Felder S, Sanchez J, Dessureault S, Coppola D, Hoffman DM, Nasseri YF, Decker RW, Zaghiyan K, Murrell ZA, Hendifar A, Gong J, Firoozmand E, Gangi A, Moore BA, Cologne KG, El-Masry MS, Hinkle N, Monroe J, Mutch M, Bernadt C, Chatterjee D, Sinanan M, Cohen SA, Wallin U, Grady WM, Lampe PD, Reddi D, Krane M, Fichera A, Moonka R, Herpel E, Schirmacher P, Kloor M, von Knebel-Doeberitz M, Nattenmueller J, Kauczor HU, Swanson E, Jedrzkiewicz J, Schmit SL, Gigic B, Ulrich AB, Toriola AT, Siegel EM, Li CI, Ulrich CM, Hardikar S (2021). Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer in the ColoCare Study: Differences by Age of Onset. Cancers (Basel), 13(15). (Read full article)
    20. Baucom KJW, Pershing ML, Dwenger KM, Karasawa M, Cohan JN, Ozanne EM (2021). Barriers and Facilitators to Enrollment and Retention in the National Diabetes Prevention Program: Perspectives of Women and Clinicians Within a Health System. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle), 2(1), 133-141. (Read full article)
    21. Brecha FS, Ozanne EM, Esplin J, Stoddard GJ, Nirula R, Huang LC, Cohan JN (2020). Patient Willingness to Accept Antibiotic Side Effects to Reduce Surgical Site Infection After Colorectal Surgery. J Surg Res, 261, 417-422. (Read full article)
    22. Cohan JN, Orleans B, Brecha FS, Huang LC, Presson A, Fagerlin A, Ozanne EM (2021). Factors Associated With Decision Regret Among Patients With Diverticulitis in the Elective Setting. J Surg Res, 261, 159-166. (Read full article)
    23. Cavallaro PM, Fearnhead NS, Bissett IP, Brar MS, Cataldo TE, Clarke R, Denoya P, Elder AL, Gecse KB, Hendren S, Holubar S, Jeganathan N, Myrelid P, Norton BA, Wexner SD, Wilson L, Zaghiyan K, Bordeianou L PROPS Delphi Study Expert Panels (2021). Patients Undergoing Ileoanal Pouch Surgery Experience a Constellation of Symptoms and Consequences Representing a Unique Syndrome A Report from the Patient Reported Outcomes after Pouch Surgery (PROPS) Delphi Consensus Study. Ann Surg, DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004829.
    24. Cavallaro PM, Fearnhead NS, Bissett IP, Brar MS, Cataldo TE, Clarke R, Denoya P, Elder AL, Gecse KB, Hendren S, Holubar S, Jeganathan N, Myrelid P, Norton BA, Wexner SD, Wilson L, Zaghiyan K, Bordeianou L PROPS Delphi Study Expert Panels (2021). Patients Undergoing Ileoanal Pouch Surgery Experience a Constellation of Symptoms and Consequences Representing a Unique Syndrome A Report from the Patient Reported Outcomes after Pouch Surgery (PROPS) Delphi Consensus Study. Dis Colon Rectum, DOI: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000002099.
    25. Bleicher J, Cohan JN, Huang LC, Peche W, Pickron TB, Scaife CL, Bowles TL, Hyngstrom JR, Asare EA (2020). Trends in the management of anorectal melanoma: A multi-institutional retrospective study and review of the world literature. World J Gastroenterol, 27(3), 267-280. (Read full article)
    26. Tonna JE, Hanson HA, Cohan JN, McCrum ML, Horns JJ, Brooke BS, Das R, Kelly BC, Campbell AJ, Hotaling J (2020). Balancing revenue generation with capacity generation: case distribution, financial impact and hospital capacity changes from cancelling or resuming elective surgeries in the US during COVID-19. BMC Health Serv Res, 20(1), 1119. (Read full article)
    27. Cohan JN, Donahue C, Pantel HJ, Ricciardi R, Kleiman DA, Read TE, Marcello PW (2020). Endoscopic Step Up: A Colon-Sparing Alternative to Colectomy to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Costs for Patients With Advanced Neoplastic Polyps. Dis Colon Rectum, 63(6), 842-849. (Read full article)
    28. Cohan JN (2018). Uncomplicated Sigmoid Diverticulitis. Dis Colon Rectum, 61(10), 1141-1144. (Read full article)
    29. Cohan JN, Ozanne EM, Sewell JL, Hofer RK, Mahadevan U, Varma MG, Finlayson E (2016). A Novel Decision Aid for Surgical Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results of a Pilot Study. Dis Colon Rectum, 59(6), 520-8. (Read full article)
    30. Cohan JN, Rhee JY, Finlayson E, Varma MG (2015). Impact of Surgery on Relationship Quality in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Their Partners. Dis Colon Rectum, 58(12), 1144-50. (Read full article)
    31. Chou AB, Cohan JN, Varma MG (2015). Differences in Symptom Severity and Quality of Life in Patients With Obstructive Defecation and Colonic Inertia. Dis Colon Rectum, 58(10), 994-8. (Read full article)
    32. Cohan JN, Bacchetti P, Varma MG, Finlayson E (2015). Outcomes after ileoanal pouch surgery in frail and older adults. J Surg Res, 198(2), 327-33. (Read full article)
    33. Cohan JN, Chou AB, Varma MG (2015). Faecal incontinence in men referred for specialty care: a cross-sectional study. Colorectal Dis, 17(9), 802-9. (Read full article)
    34. Cohan JN, Bacchetti P, Varma MG, Finlayson E (2015). Impact of Patient Age on Procedure Type for Ulcerative Colitis: A National Study. Dis Colon Rectum, 58(8), 769-74. (Read full article)
    35. Moliterno JA, Knopman J, Parikh K, Cohan JN, Huang QD, Aaker GD, Grivoyannis AD, Patel AR, Hartl R, Boockvar JA (2010). Results and risk factors for recurrence following single-level tubular lumbar microdiscectomy. J Neurosurg Spine, 12(6), 680-6. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Hall JK, Supiano MA, Cohan JN (2025). Diverticulitis in Older Adults: A Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. [Review]. J Am Geriatr Soc. (Read full article)
    2. Cohan JN (2018). Uncomplicated Sigmoid Diverticulitis. [Review]. Dis Colon Rectum, 61(10), 1141-1144.
    3. Cohan JN, Varma MG (2015). Reoperative Surgery for Rectal Prolapse. [Review]. Semin Colon Rectal Surg, 26(4), 182-6.

    Book Chapter

    1. Robbins R, Cohan JN (2022). Diverticulitis. In O'Connor MI, Haq KL (Eds.), Taking Care of You: The Empowered Woman's Guide to Better Health (1). New Haven, CT: Mayo Clinic Press/Simon & Schuster.
    2. Cohan JN, Varma MV (2020). The Large Intestine. In Gerard M. Doherty (Ed.), Current Diagnosis and Treatment Surgery (15). McGraw-Hill Education.
    3. Cohan JN, Varma MG (2016). Anorectal Strictures. In Cameron JL, Cameron AM (Eds.), Current Surgical Therapy: Surgery (12). Elsevier.
    4. Cohan JN, Varma MG (2015). The Large Intestine. In Doherty GM (Ed.), Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery (14). McGraw-Hill Medical.

    Case Report

    1. Cohan JN, Moliterno JA, Mok CL, Lavi E, Boockvar JA (2011). Pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation with papillary features: a continuum of primary pineal tumors? J Neurooncol, 101(2), 301-6. (Read full article)

    Editorial

    1. Cohan J, Finlayson E (2017). Delivery Mode in Pregnant Patients with IBD: Uncertainty Remains. Inflammatory Bowel Disease, 23(5), 727.
    2. Finlayson EF, Cohan JN (2016). Center the patient in the decision process: a tool to inform the consent and share the decision-making in patients with rectal cancer. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, 57(1), 3-4.
    3. Cohan JN, Varma MG (2014). Simple interventions for complex complications: moving surgery forward. Dis Colon Rectum, 57(1), 3-4. (Read full article)

    Abstract

    1. Cohan JN, Rhee J, Finlayson E, Varma M (May 2015). Proctocolectomy: Impact on Relationship Quality in Ulcerative Colitis Patients and their Partners [Abstract].
    2. Cohan JN, Bacchetti P, Varma MG, Finlayson E (February 2015). The Impact of Age and Frailty on Surgical Outcomes After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis [Abstract].