Professor Coats graduated from the University of Delaware with a BSN and from Arizona State University with an FNP/MSN. She has worked in a range of clinical settings including home health in Arizona, Indian Health Service in New Mexico, varied primary care settings as an NP in Vermont and Virginia, and worked as a clinician in several health department settings in VA. Professor Coats has been teaching full time since 2017 and was an adjunct instructor for 6 years prior to teaching full time. Areas of interest include community health, rural health and international health.