James Austin Cox MD

Education

Dermatology Residency, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 2013 – 2016
Pediatrics Residency, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 2008 – 2011
M.D., Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 2004 – 2008
B.A. with honors, Philosophy (cum laude), The University of The South, Sewanee, TN, 2004-2008

Biography

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, LTC Cox graduated from Classen School of Advanced Studies with an International Baccalaureate degree. He was awarded the Wilkins Scholarship and graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with honors in Philosophy. He first learned about USU at a local career fair. Despite a complete lack of military exposure, USU immediately became his top choice for medical school.

While at USU, LTC Cox vacillated between pediatrics, dermatology and physical medicine. Though he was fascinated by skin disease, the allure of a pediatrics residency in Hawaii took him on a three-year adventure bouncing around the Pacific Rim. Upon graduation, the Army sent his belongings to Colorado and LTC Cox to Afghanistan where he had the honor of caring for a multinational population of soldiers and civilians in harm’s way. During his deployment downtime, LTC Cox poured through dermatology textbooks and published several papers while applying for a second residency in dermatology.

It was an amazing week when LTC Cox left Afghanistan, reunited with his growing family for Christmas and received orders to the Naval Medical Center San Diego to start his training in Dermatology. After much early morning and late-night studying, his interests gravitated towards medical dermatology—acne, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, eczema, allergic contact dermatitis and cutaneous oncology. After dermatology training, he transferred to Columbia, SC and provided dermatologic expertise to new army recruits and instructors. His proclivity for academics inspired him to become a guest lecturer and consultant for the USC Medical School and Pediatrics and OBGYN residency programs.

LTC Cox and his family decided to make the Army a full career when the Army offered them a tour in Vicenza, Italy. It was an honor to support the men and women serving with SETAF, the 173rd Sky Soldiers, and civilians assigned abroad. While overseas, his family cultivated a passion for biking, hiking, cooking and experiencing the Italian culture. They returned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and took on an amazing opportunity to lead as the Service Chief for Dermatology. Thanks to a fellow USU 2008 graduate, LTC Cox was asked to be the Vice Chair of Credentials and with the help of many people, they guided the WRNMMC credentialing process through a successful Joint Commission inspection.

LTC Cox is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Women’s Dermatology Society.

Moving into the final phase of his military career, LTC Cox is excited to recruit and educate the future leaders of military medicine.

Career Highlights: Positions, Projects, Deployments, Awards and Additional Publications

Assistant Dean of Recruitment, USU Admissions 2024 to present

Service Chief Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 2023-2024

Chief of Dermatology, USU Health Clinic - Vicenza 2019-2023

U.S.Army Command & General Staff College, 7th ILE Detachment, Grafenwoehr, Germany 2021

U.S. Army Health Care and Administration Course, Fort Jackson, SC 2018 U.S. AMEDD Officer

AMEDD Officer Advanced Course, San Antonio, TX 2018

Tactical Combat Medical Care, San Antonio, TX 2011

Army Flight Surgeon Course, Fort Rucker, AL 2011

U.S. Hospital Management of Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive Incidents (HM-CBRNE) Course: Aberdeen, MD 2010

U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course: Fort Benning, GA 2008