Crystal L Rene De Cotret, PA-C

Crystal Rene de Cotret, MPAP, PA-C, received her master’s in Physician Assistant practice at the University of Southern California. Crystal decided to pursue a career in medicine after her dear friend passed away from a cardiac arrhythmia, called inherited QT prolongation, at the age of 15. Since then, she was inspired to learn more about the condition to help save lives.

Crystal enjoys providing life-saving operations alongside an amazing team in cardiothoracic surgery and looks forward to celebrating with her patients when they have made a full recovery, with a new release on life.

I want to let my patients know that I will explain and answer all of their questions and will be there with them every step of the way! My mom has had several operations, so I know what it feels like to be on the other side of medicine when family needs help. I can assure you that I will make sure each family member is treated like my own family because we all deserve the best care.

Crystal was born in Long Beach, California but moved to Fayetteville, Georgia when she was 3 years old. Growing up in Georgia, she realized the need for Spanish-speaking patients to have equal access to medical care. As a first-generation college graduate, she felt a calling to give back to underserved communities that needed it the most. So, she moved back to California to attend USC where she learned medical Spanish and worked with underserved communities to better understand all aspects involved in patient’s medical treatments.

Going back to her alma mater, Crystal enjoys lecturing at the USC PA program to help educate future Physician Assistants. Outside of medicine, Crystal enjoys getting stronger physically and mentally by taking indoor cycling classes. Seeing the positive impact it had on her life, Crystal wanted to bring this experience to her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Georgia. In June 2020, she opened her own indoor cycling studio in Athens, Georgia where they have built a community to support and empower each other along their journey to become the strongest, healthiest versions of themselves. Crystal also has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was a silver medalist in the Junior Olympics.