Austin Cox, M.D., F.A.A.D.

Welcome to Dermatology of Virginia! I am Dr. Austin Cox.

After twenty years in medicine and experiencing many different cultures, I am convinced that the best medical outcomes are achieved when the patient and provider are on the same page. I have a pragmatic approach that balances anticipated downtimes with the busy lives we all lead. I expect my patients to be engaged and take part in the medical decision-making process. If you find this appealing, please read a little more about me.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma City and graduated from Classen School of Advanced Studies with an International Baccalaureate degree. I was awarded the Wilkins Scholarship and graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with honors in Philosophy. With my compass set away from Oklahoma, I signed into the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD for medical school and became an Army Officer.

During medical school I vacillated between pediatrics, dermatology and physical medicine. Though I was fascinated by skin disease, the allure of a pediatrics residency in Hawaii took us on a three-year adventure bouncing around the Pacific Rim. Upon graduation, the Army sent my belongings to Colorado and me to Afghanistan, where I had the honor of caring for a multinational population of Soldiers and civilians in harm's way. During my deployment downtime, I poured through dermatology textbooks and published several papers while applying for a second residency in dermatology.

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

I then spent four years caring for patients across Italy and Germany while chasing my family's extra-curricular passions for biking, hiking, cooking and experiencing new (or old) cultures. We recently returned home to the DMV with two kids fluent in Italian and holes in our hearts that had once been filled by fresh pasta and chianti! I currently serve as the Department Chief at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. It allows me to teach the next generation of doctors while ensuring that I maintain the most up-to-date knowledge base for my patients.

I am an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Women's Dermatology Society. I am honored to be one of the newest editors for Dermatology World. Most importantly, I look forward to providing you and your loved ones with safe, high quality dermatologic care!

Summary of Dr. James Austin Cox's Education

Current Positions

Dermatology of Virginia2024 – present

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center2023 – present

Education

Dermatology Residency2013 – 2016Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA

Pediatrics Residency2008 – 2011Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI

M.D.2004 – 2008Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD

B.A. with honors, Philosophy (cum laude)2000 – 2004The University of the South, Sewanee, TN

Positions and Experience

Poster Reviewer for the American Academy of Dermatology2023 – present

Chief of Dermatology, USA Health Clinic-V2019 – 2023Vicenza, Italy

Chief of Dermatology, Moncrief Army Health Clinic2016 – 2019Columbia, SC

SKYMD Tele-dermatology2018 – 2020San Diego, CA

Columbia Skin Clinic2017 – 2019Columbia, SC

Carolina's Dermatology2017 – 2019Columbia, SC

Dermatology Resident, National Naval Medical Center2013 – 2016San Diego, CA

Senior Flight Surgeon, 1-2 ATK BN, Butts Army Air Field2011 – 2013Fort Carson, CO

Task Force Gunfighter Flight Surgeon2011 – 2012Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan

Pediatrics Resident, Tripler Army Medical Center2008 – 2011Honolulu, HI

Certification and Licensure

Diplomate, American Board of Dermatology2016 – present

Diplomate, American Board of Pediatrics2011 – 2016

Virginia Medical License2023 – present

South Carolina Medical License2016 – present

Hawaii State Medical License2008 – present

Military Development

U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, 7th ILE Detachment2021Grafenwoehr, Germany

U.S. Army Health Care and Administration Course2018Fort Jackson, SC

U.S. AMEDD Officer Advanced Course2018San Antonio, TX

U.S. Tactical Combat Medical Care2011San Antonio, TX

U.S. Army Flight Surgeon Course2011Fort Rucker, AL

U.S. Hospital Management of Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive Incidents (HM-CBRNE) Course2010Aberdeen, MD

U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course2008Fort Benning, GA

U.S. AMEDD Officer Basic Course2004Fort Sam Houston, TX

Memberships

American Academy of Dermatology, Fellow2016 – present

American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS), Member2016 – present

National Psoriasis Foundation, Member2015 – present

Women's Dermatology Society, Member2018 – present

American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow2008 – 2015