Gerry Cox

Gerard R. Cox, MD, MHA retired from Federal service in December 2024 after nearly 11 years on the leadership team of the Veterans Health Administration, where he held several senior executive positions including Deputy Under Secretary and Assistant Under Secretary for Health. From 2020 through 2024, Gerry led VHA’s national health care quality improvement, patient safety, data analytics, and performance measurement programs and was the executive sponsor of an ambitious strategy to reduce harm and achieve high reliability across the vast Veterans’ health system. During his previous 30-year career as a U.S. Navy medical officer, Gerry served in a series of hospital leadership roles including chief operating officer and chief executive officer and held executive positions on the staffs of the Navy Surgeon General, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Commander of U.S. Navy forces in the Middle East, and the Naval Inspector General. He was also a White House physician during the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He is now President of Veteran & Military Health Leadership Consulting, LLC. 

Gerry earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and his Master of Health Administration from the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, where he was recognized as Alumnus of the Year in 2003. He is board-certified in emergency medicine, occupational medicine, and health care administration. Gerry joined the Dean’s Advisory Council in 2025.