Albert Reginald Cox (1928-), physician, Dean of Medicine and Vice-President Academic, Memorial University of Newfoundland, was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 18 April 1928, the son of Reginald Herbert Cox and Marie Christina Cox (nee Fraser). Dr. Cox married Margaret Dobson at Vancouver, British Columbia in May 1954, and they had three children, Susan, David, and Steven.

Dr. Cox was educated at Victoria High School and then attended Victoria College, Victoria, British Columbia (1946-1948). He and his wife were in the first class of Medical Studies at the newly opened Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. (1950). Dr. Cox earned his M.D. there in 1954, and Dr. Margaret Cox received hers in the following year. Dr. Cox served his internship (1954-1955) and residency (1955-1959) at the Vancouver General Hospital. He was certified as Licentiate, Medical Council of Canada in 1955. He also received licensures for the State of Washington, USA (1959-1964), British Columbia (1961-1988), and Newfoundland (1969-1991). Dr. Cox served in the Canadian Armed Forces as Flight Lieutenant (Medical Officer), Royal Canadian Air Force (Auxiliary), (1955-1959). Dr. Cox was British Council Scholar, London Postgraduate Medical Program (Hammersmith Hospital), National Heart Hospital (September 1956 - June 1957). He continued his education with Fellowship Training in Pharmacology and Cardiology at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (1959-1961).

Dr. Cox completed several specialty programs including: Teacher Training Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Illinois (1965); and Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, American Heart Association (July - August 1987). While on sabbatical, Dr. Cox was Special Student, Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health (September 1987 - June 1988); Visitor, Faculty of Medicine, Hobarth University, Tasmania (June 1988); Visiting Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia (July 1988); and Visitor, Faculty of Medicine, Flinders University, Australia (July 1988). Dr. Cox’ studies were paralleled by several academic publications throughout his career.

After holding the positions of Instructor, Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia (1962-1969), Dr. Cox then held a variety of academic and professional positions and appointments at Memorial University. They included: Professor and Chairman of Medicine (1969-1974); Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Faculty of Medicine (1972-1974); Dean of Medicine (1974-1987); Vice-President, Health Sciences and Professional Schools, and Vice-President Academic (Acting) (1988-1990); and Vice-President Academic (1990-1992).

Dr. Cox held the appointment of Attending Staff, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia (1962-1969). He then held the following hospital appointments in St. John’s including: Active Staff, General Hospital (1969-1980); Chairman of Medicine, General Hospital (1969-1974); Chief, Division of Cardiology, General Hospital (1971-1974); Senior Consultant (Medicine), St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, Grace Hospital and Janeway Child Health Centre (1969-1974); Executive Medical Advisory Committee, General Hospital (1970-1974); Honorary Consultant, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, Grace Hospital and Janeway Child Health Centre (1975-1991); and Consulting Staff, General Hospital (1981-1991).

Dr. Cox received many awards and distinctions throughout his career including: Horner Gold Medal and Prize for highest standing in the subject of medicine (1954); Mead Johnson Fellowship of American College of Physicians (1955); General Lifeco Hawthorne K. Dent Fellowship in Cardiology (1959-1961); Canadian Life Insurance Medical Fellowship (1966-1970); Dr. Wallace Wilson Leadership Award, Medical Alumni Association, University of British Columbia (1986); Honorary Membership, College of Family Physicians of Canada (1987); Member, Order of Canada (1989); and 75th Anniversary Alumnus Award, University of British Columbia (Membership), (1954-1990).

Dr. Cox served on several Memorial University committees including: Chairman, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Faculty of Medicine (1969-1973); Chairman, Human Experimentation Committee (1969-1971); Planning and Development Committee for the Health Sciences Centre (1971-1978);  Organization and Management Committee for the Health Sciences Centre (1974-1975); Integrating and Co-ordinating Committee of the Health Sciences Centre (1975-1987); Health Sciences Complex Committee (1975-1991);  Joint Liaison Committees, University and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals (1974-1987); University Senate (1974-1991); Chairman, Governing Committee for the Labrador Institute of Northern Studies (1989-1991); Advisory Committee, Gerontology Centre (1989-1991); and Advisory Board, Faculty of Business Administration (1989-1991).  Dr. Cox also served on several committees at the University of British Columbia (1963-1969).

In addition to his service to Memorial University, Dr. Cox was a member of other committees and boards in Newfoundland including: Board of Newfoundland and Labrador Computer Services, Ltd. (1975-1977); Board of the International Grenfell Association (1973-1983); Member, St. John’s Hospital Council (1984-1991); Board of Directors, General Hospital (1984-1987); Medical Advisory Committee, Newfoundland Division, Canadian Heart Foundation (1987); Medical Advisory Committee, Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation (1987); and Board of Management, Agnes Pratt Home (1989-1991). Dr. Cox also served on committees outside Newfoundland at both the Provincial and National level, including the Executive, Medical Alumni Division, University of British Columbia Alumni Association (1992-1997).

Dr. Cox was a member of several professional and learned societies including: Alpha Omega Honour Medical Society, University of British Columbia (1953-1992); Fellow, Royal College Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (1959-); Sigma Xi (1959-1992); Canadian Medical Association (1961-1992); British Columbia Medical Association (1961-1969); Canadian Cardiovascular Society (1962-); Fellow, American College of Physicians (1967-); American Heart Association (1967-1992); Fellow, American College of Cardiology (1968-); Newfoundland Medical Association (1969-); Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (1970-1992); Association of Canadian Medical Colleges (Council), (1976-1991); and Canadian Intern Matching Service (1980-1984).

Dr. Cox retired in October 1991. In his spare time, Dr. Cox pursues interests in photography and horticulture, specifically, organic farming of vegetables and major crops of garlic. He is also involved with the Sylvan Pastoral Charge, United Church of Canada. Drs. A. R. and Margaret Cox presently reside in British Columbia, Canada.

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