Erin Yao-Cohen

Dr. Erin Yao-Cohen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine. She is a hospitalist within the Division of Hospital Medicine at Parnassus and serves as the Director of Patient Experience for DHM, where she co-leads the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Her clinical and academic work emphasizes patient advocacy, engagement, and innovative strategies to support patients during hospitalization, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology, Brown University, 2007
• Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology, Yeshiva University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2009
• Doctor of Medicine (MD), Dartmouth Medical School, 2014
• Residency in Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2017
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of California, San Francisco, 2021

Dr. Yao-Cohen’s research interests focus on patient-centered care, particularly in understanding how patients perceive their care teams and how communication gaps affect hospital experiences. Her work integrates principles of equity and inclusion, aiming to improve transitions of care and patient-provider communication. She is actively involved in initiatives that amplify patient and family voices in healthcare design and delivery.

Her most recent publication (2023) is a cross-sectional study exploring inpatient understanding of their care teams and the prevalence of mixed messages during hospitalization. This work highlights systemic challenges in care team transparency and communication clarity, contributing to broader efforts in improving patient safety and satisfaction.

Dr. Yao-Cohen has not received any publicly listed scientific awards or fellowships. She collaborates with colleagues such as James Harrison and Nicole Curatola at UCSF.

She advises no formally listed students and there is no public information about grants or funding. Dr. Yao-Cohen is involved in leadership through her role in the Patient and Family Advisory Council, demonstrating a commitment to participatory healthcare models.

She is affiliated with the Division of Hospital Medicine at UCSF and contributes to academic and clinical efforts aimed at enhancing patient experience and care coordination.