CRAIG JEFFREY COENSON, M.D., a long-time resident of New Orleans, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 7, 2024. He was 63.

Born in Orlando, Florida, Craig graduated from high school before  attendin  Tulane University, where he completed his undergraduate degree and went on to attend Tulane medical school and train at beloved Charity Hospital. After medical school, he completed his residency in internal medicine in Dallas,Texas and then put in three years in psychiatry at the University of California at San Diego.

Shortly after completing his residency, Craig relocated to California where he had a successful private practice before being recruited to be the Chief of Psychiatry for the Golden Gate and West Bay subregions for Kaiser Permanente.

Coenson liked the California lifestyle, but his true home in his heart was New Orleans. After launching his career out west, Craig started his journey back east by heading to Minneapolis to work for Cigna as a National Medical Director. It was there in Minneapolis that he met his wife, Kathy Coenson (nee Lochkovic). Kathy was the love of his life, and the two were married in 2003. Not only did he love his life with Kathy, but he adored his two stepdaughters, Kristin Napoli and Britt Hafstad, and raised them as if they were his own.

In 2008, the family moved to New Orleans, where he served as Chief Medical Officer for the Metropolitan Human Services District in New Orleans. While there, Dr. Coenson worked alongside colleagues who would become lifelong friends.

In 2012, he became CEO for Magellan Health Services in Louisiana, where he led the company’s partnership with the state. Following his time with Magellan, he returned to Cigna to serve as National Medical Executive.

He truly loved people and his passion for mentoring young adults in their career path brought joy to his life.

At every step in his journey, he was the life of the party. He never met a stranger, and if you were lucky enough to sit next to him at a local pub, it’s likely you shared a Tequila shot with him.

Dr. Coenson loved animals and the home he shared with Kathy was also home to many rescue dogs – especially greyhounds – and a special parrot named Paco.

Craig is survived by  his loving wife of 21 years, Kathy; his stepdaughters, Kristin Napoli (Napoli) and Britt Tabary(Robert);   his sister, Barbara; his brothers, Steven and Douglas, and a granddaughter.

He was laid to rest on Thursday, October 10at Anshe Sfard Cemetery, 4100 Elysian Fields. May his memory always be a blessing to all who knew him.

Donations in memory of Craig, can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank New Orleans.