Dr. Cohen is an implementation scientist and an expert in qualitative and mixed methods. Dr. Cohen’s research examines the interpersonal and organizational aspects of health care delivery with a particular focus on primary and behavioral health care. She examines the challenges that emerge when implementing innovations and quality improvements in primary care practices. Her research highlights the often-invisible work of professionals on primary care clinical teams. 

Dr. Cohen and her team are currently studying the staffing configurations of advanced primary care practices (professionals, roles, functions) in the United States (U.S.), and the implementation and impact of state and federal policy changes on health care, with a particular focus on primary care payment, and substance use and mental health treatment. Dr. Cohen is a National Academy of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) member, and she currently serves the NASEM Standing Committee for Primary Care, which is an advisory committee to the federal government on primary care. 

Dr. Cohen has a Ph.D. in communication, where she studied interpersonal and organizational communication. She was trained in qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on applying ethnomethodology and conversation analysis to health-related communication.