2007 TVMA President Mark Cox, DVM is fighting for excellence in his profession and compromise is not an option
by Lindsey Oechsle
The late humorist James Thurber once said, “You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward.” It is safe to assume that this year’s TVMA President Dr. Mark Cox shares this lack of willingness to compromise in his convictions and his commitment to the future of the veterinary profession. He is a determined leader and a diligent team player. As president of the association, Dr. Cox is dedicated to the unification of his profession.
Dr. Cox is no stranger to challenge but finds it most gratifying. Growing up on a ranch in the mountains of New Mexico taught him much about life. Dealing with nature challenged him, hardened his determination, and taught him when to advance and when to retreat. He remembers daily trips of 40 miles to high school and his “off” days spent pushing yearlings through a squeeze chute to treat them for pinkeye and other problems. He credits these early experiences with sparking his interest in animal health work. Dr. Cox found veterinary medicine as a path by which he could pursue his love of animals and reach his potential.
Veterinary medicine was not the first profession Dr. Cox considered. As a child, Dr. Cox’s older brother was diagnosed with polio, spending time at Crippled Children’s Hospital in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Despite the best care available, his brother became crippled with the disease. As a young boy, watching his brother suffer made a definite impression on him, and he was determined to gain the skills to help those who needed it. Dr. Cox finally realized his aspiration and turned his attention to Veterinary medicine.
Dr. Cox was always at the forefront of education. He was passionately involved in the education of his four children. Reading with each of his children, he became very knowledgeable about Little House on the Prairie – a favorite of his daughters. For several years, Dr. Cox enjoyed working in mentoring programs at local grade schools. His love for children is apparent as he reflects on those classroom experiences. “I would go in, take props, and examine stuffed animals. I would take equipment and funny-looking instruments and quiz them about ‘What do you suppose you do with this thing?’ You know, those kids were pretty sharp.”
Dr. Cox introduced teens to veterinary medicine and gave them an opportunity to see veterinary practice firsthand. With guidance, motivation, experience and support, he was able to influence several young people to select veterinary medicine as a lifestyle. Dr. Cox describes these experiences as rewarding and tremendously satisfying. Interestingly, two of those very students will be serving on the Board of Directors this year. “That’s literally chickens coming home to roost!” he exclaims with a laugh that is extraordinarily contagious.
Enjoying his profession and the rewards it brought him lead Dr. Cox to work in the El Paso VMA, then on to TVMA. His initial interest was in member services. Immediately understanding the importance of a solid member services program, Mark set to work in implementing it. The program had an emphasis on the recruitment and retention of members. As Chairman of the member services committee, he was intrigued by the financial aspects, and he realized the importance of funding for successful membership development and services. He came to believe that when TVMA extends a hand, it should be an offer of assistance, not a solicitation.
The business alliance committee evolved as a financially directed branch of member services. The committee has since served to develop, investigate and evaluate business opportunities for TVMA to generate non-dues revenue and give benefits to its members. “That committee had much appeal to me and to this day, I still work on that committee,” says Dr. Cox. “I think they do yeomen’s work. We have highly-motivated, good people on that committee, and as long as we can continue to make it work and generate funds, it will open doors allowing us to expand note-worthy services. A committed response encourages so much more.”
Dr. Cox sees his year at the helm as a chance to bring greater unity to the profession, keep the association healthy, generate money and serve as a strong advocacy organization. He believes that TVMA is the avenue by which these can be achieved. Mark names this determination as his greatest asset. In the same account, this strong-minded leader is a kind and compassionate family man. His honesty and fervor give way to a transparent, endearing humility. Dr. Cox is firm in his commitment to promoting the profession.
Dr. Cox feels incredibly fortunate to be joined by a strong executive board. Each of these members brings a firm commitment to the association. He holds each member in high regard and expresses sheer gratitude for the services they give so freely to TVMA. Dr. Orlando Garza, member of the executive board and fellow El Pasoan, has seen Dr. Cox’s determination through many years of friendship. Dr. Garza says, “I have not known any other individual who is as dedicated to veterinary medicine as Mark. He constantly strives to improve the profession now and for future generations.”
Dr. Cox sees a historical trend of losing areas that were once uniquely veterinary medicine - such as pregnancy diagnosis and artificial insemination. He views this as a threat to the future of the veterinary profession. Over the years, some facets of the profession have been relinquished. He names equine dentistry as a currently popular area of interest. Equine dentistry is a veterinary service, and Dr. Cox believes it is imperative that dental technicians be licensed. He stresses the importance in defining veterinary medicine and what aspects it should include.
“We’ve allowed lay people to come in and perform those services; thereby, abdicating part of our profession,” admits Dr. Cox. “We’ve just given them up, and I see that as an ongoing thing. The only way our profession can stay strong is to stay united, address the pertinent issues, and prevent it from happening. These debates and others have been ongoing during my tenure at TVMA. I have been very involved and active in them, and I’m not going to quit. As long as I am here, I’m going to continue the fight,” says Dr. Cox. “You just draw the line in the sand, and you’re either going to live or die by this line.”
“I think veterinary medicine is a very noble profession,” says Dr. Cox. “We’re taking care of animals that – otherwise in many of instances – can’t take care of themselves. Animals don’t have as many options as people, and that was really a motivating factor for me. I thought ‘I can do more good on the veterinary side of this thing than I can on the human side.’”
Dr. Cox recognizes that sometimes we tend to lose sight of the bigger picture, which is ‘We should be using this crowbar to do good work.’ He believes that if we want to keep TVMA healthy, it is imperative that we take care of the members and keep people motivated. Members must understand the importance of the association and that volunteers are working hard to make veterinary medicine better for all. Dr. Cox names this as his challenge for TVMA – to get everyone involved. He advises members to, “get in the boat, pick up a paddle and help us move this thing along. We’re much better united than we are by ourselves.”
Dr. Cox is hopeful about the future of veterinary medicine as he expresses some of his concerns about its evolution. Although he sees himself as an anachronism, Dr. Cox offers words of praise and warning to recent graduates entering the profession. He refers to the veterinary students today as the best that TAMU has ever seen in terms of knowledge, yet he distinguishes the difference between this knowledge and the wisdom of experience. His hope for recent graduates is that they will develop an appreciation for the sterling reputation built by their predecessors. Dr. Cox strives to defend, protect and foster the profession and to pass it to the next generation in a spotless condition. “TVMA makes veterinary medicine better by allowing us all to work together for our mutual benefit,” says Dr. Cox. “We are handing off the reins to an outstanding group of young folks, and I have no doubt that they will do an even better job of nurturing our profession than we have done.”
When Dr. Cox isn’t running his practice or devoting time to TVMA, his time and energy is spent at the family ranch. His father still lives on the ranch and works it daily. During branding and shipping time, it becomes a family affair as his wife, Kathy and their four children assist. Before they were grown and on their own, Dr. Cox taught his three daughters how to castrate calves. He believes that once the news got around the high school, it kept the young men at bay. Their son, J.R., a student at TAMU, is a great hand especially when he is home. With lessons on riding and handling horses, working cattle and building fence, father and grandfather have made sure to pass the ranching heritage on to the next generation. At home in El Paso, Dr. Cox and his wife have a cocker spaniel named Amadeus who allows them to live with him.
Dr. Cox cites his family and his heritage as the source of his motivation and the greatest joys of his life. “Without their support and encouragement, I would not be serving this year as TVMA’s president.”
