David J. Cohen, M.D., M.P.A., F.A.C.S.

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Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. David John Cohen, who serves patients in San Antonio, Texas and around the United States. 

Dr. Cohen has more than 45 years of experience to his credit in military and academic medicine, as well as in private practice. He served in his private practice of cardiothoracic surgery, and as President of Alamo Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates, P.A. from 2006 until 2015. 

Among his professional experience, Dr. Cohen served on the staff of the Medical Center Hospital in San Antonio (now University Hospital) and the Audie Murphy VA Hospital from 1987 to 1992. He was Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Service at Audie Murphy VA Hospital from 1991 to 1992. Additionally, he was a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Brooke Army Medical Center from 1981 to 1983 and again from 1992 to 2006, during portions of which he was the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Service, Residency Program Director, Head of the Heart Transplant Program, and Thoracic Surgery Consultant to the Surgeon General of the Army.  

After retiring from the Army in 2006, he entered private practice. He also had privileges and operated in Methodist Healthcare System, Baptist Healthcare System, Christus Santa Rosa Healthcare System Nix Healthcare System, and Southwest General Hospital - all of which are located in San Antonio, Texas. Since closing his private practice in San Antonio, he has continued to perform cardiothoracic surgery as a locum tenens filling in for other surgeons at hospitals in several states. These have included the Sanford Hospital (Fargo, North Dakota), the HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, Wisconsin), Covenant Hospital (Lubbock, Texas), St. Francis Hospital (Monroe, Louisiana), Appalachian Regional Hospital (Hazard, Kentucky), and College Station Medical Center (College Station, Texas), among others. 

From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Cohen served as an Adjunct Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He also served as a Clinical Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery for the UT Health Sciences Center San Antonio from 1992 to 2006, a Clinical Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from 1992 to 2000, a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from 1985 to 1992, a Tenured Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UT Health Sciences Center San Antonio from 1987 to 1992, as well as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin from 1984 to 1987.

The doctor is board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS). The primary purpose of the ABTS is to protect the public by establishing and maintaining high standards in thoracic surgery. To achieve these objectives, the Board has developed qualifications for examination and procedures for certification and maintenance of certification.

On the subject of his educational background, Dr. Cohen received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1972. Thereafter, he went on to complete a surgical internship and surgical residency at the John Hopkins Hospital, followed by a residency in general surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He also completed a residency in cardiothoracic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, followed by fellowship training in heart transplant at the Texas Heart Institute in 1993. 

Retired from the United States Army as a Colonel in 2006, he subsequently joined the Texas State Guard where he Commanded the Texas Medical Brigade and retired as a Brigadier General in 2017. He has received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Texas Superior Service Medal.  

Moreover, Dr. Cohen has received several civilian awards throughout his line of work, including the Bexar County Medical Society Distinguished Service Award, Texas Super Doctors (2011-2013), and Kipling’s Who’s Who in Leading Business Professionals (2010), among numerous others. In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), he is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Cardiothoracic surgery (also known as thoracic surgery) is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax (the chest). Cardiothoracic surgeons, like Dr. Cohen, are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax (the chest), which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs. Dr. Cohen’s practice and research interests include adult cardiothoracic surgery, adult thoracic surgery, lung volume reduction surgery, chest wall reconstruction, heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory assistance, and thoracic trauma.

On a more personal note, Dr. Cohen is married to his wife, Deborah, who has been the love of his life for 42 years. They have five sons: John, Christopher, Scott, Joshua, and Benjamin. In his spare time, the doctor enjoys ranching and horseback riding.

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