Dr. Coatney is a native of Pueblo and a 1981 graduate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He served as a flight surgeon in the US Army from 1982-1985.

He completed his internship and residency in 1988 at the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Coatney has practiced in Pueblo since 1992.

He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the Pueblo and Colorado Medical Societies.

He has completed numerous additional training courses on the VISX Excimer Laser System, Hyperopia correction, PRK and the Nidek laser.