Humankindness at Work: Robert Coleman, Physician Assistant

There’s a reason physician assistant Robert Coleman communicates with ease when he treats Saint Joseph Health patients from different walks of life and diverse backgrounds—and it’s not just that he’s bilingual. 

Robert, who is based at Saint Joseph Mount Sterling and serves patients from Montgomery and surrounding counties, is the son of Methodist missionaries. First in Costa Rica and then in Ecuador, he spent his formative years overseas, speaking Spanish and English. Growing up among different cultures gave him an appreciation for all kinds of diversities, he said.

“It really opened up my eyes to all the different world views out there, and it really helped me here in the United States because then I can have those shared experiences with a lot of our patients,” Robert explained. “When they see someone who looks like me talking to them in their language, you can just see this weight come off of their shoulders and they actually breathe a sigh of relief. And then they tell me they can explain their medical conditions a whole lot better and feel more relaxed to share details that they probably wouldn’t have shared with an interpreter.”

His life with his parents also exposed him to adversity. But, Robert said, “I wouldn’t trade it for the world—it was such a great learning experience. There was everything from political unrest to small stuff like culture shock. … You’ve been through a riot with your car shaking, so everyday life doesn’t compare with that, right?”

Returning to the U.S., Robert graduated from Asbury College, majoring in psychology and history. He began working at a federally qualified health center that helped people without health insurance prior to the Affordable Care Act. He started in the front office, then worked in outreach and later billing administration, using his bilingual skills. That gave him what he calls “the bug for being able to help people physically and emotionally.”

Robert learned more about a co-worker’s plans to become a physician assistant, which led him to eventually being accepted into University of Kentucky’s physician assistant program, graduating in 2016. He has been working for the ministry since then.

Robert was named the 2024 APP of the Year for Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, in recognition of the way he goes the extra mile for both patients and staff. He writes letters, sends cards or calls patients who have lost loved ones or are going through a hard time. 

To fellow staff, he is a mentor and encourager, remembering those who did the same for him. “So I always want to take extra time if I see potential in someone, helping them continue to grow and get better professionally,” he said.

Robert enjoys being able to work both in a clinic setting and in the hospital. “Being able to get in the operating room makes you a better clinician in the outpatient setting,” he said. “You can actually tell patients with certainty, ‘I’ve seen this surgery hundreds of times.’ I can tell them what to expect, what we’re doing.“ 

He also loves the rural hospital setting, saying patients are “so appreciative.” 

“You get a chance to really build these deep relationships of trust because you’re a figure of trust in the community. I just love building that bond with patients and helping them through some of the toughest times,” Robert said.

Many of his patients come from the farming community, which he relates to, since both parents come from farming families: “I have a heart for those people who remind me of my family.” 

His father, Randy, is currently a minister in Ohio while his mother, Rachel, still makes several international mission trips annually. Robert and his wife, Brittany, live in Lexington with their adopted cat and enjoy playing sports in their spare time. They are members of Southland Christian Church.

Saint Joseph’s values echo those he saw his parents reflect all his life. “So it’s easy to care for others, always staying on top of my medical knowledge, working hard,” Robert said. “That’s just ingrained in me, so then I turn around the implement those at work, always taking extra time if there’s a patient in need, not turning them away.”

The best part of his job? The patients. “Loving on our patients in general,” Robert said. “That’s the nice thing about working for Saint Joseph and CommonSpirit—it’s a nonprofit and it really lets us love on our patients and focus on our patients rather than on the bottom line.”