Meet Dr. Wayne Cox, General Surgeon at Covenant Health Claiborne

When you need surgery, you deserve expert care that’s convenient, whether you live in a big city or a small town.  

At Covenant Health Claiborne, patients receive advanced technology, compassionate support and skilled surgeons right in their own community. We are proud to welcome G. Wayne Cox, DO,MS, a board‑certified general surgeon with a heart for serving in rural areas. 

A Calling to Serve Rural Communities 

Dr. Cox grew up in East Tennessee and has always felt connected to small towns. He studied Biology at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky and earned his medical degree from the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. He completed his general surgery residency at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, New York. 

His passion for medicine began as a teen when he watched surgeons care for his terminally ill younger cousin and saw the difference they made in his cousin’s care. “They didn’t add years to his life, but they added life to his years,” Dr. Cox recalled. 

During high school, Dr. Cox shadowed trauma surgeons in Knoxville and saw how much they helped their patients. “I knew then that I wanted to do something to help other patients receive the same type of care in their own rural communities,” he said. 

Big‑City Expertise in a Small‑Town Hospital 

After residency, Dr. Cox intentionally chose a rural setting in returning to Claiborne County. He joined Robert Wilmoth, MD, performing a wide range of surgeries — often even more than young surgeons in major metropolitan hospitals. “The breadth of surgeries we do is a lot wider, and I like that,” he shared. 

At Claiborne Medical Center, Dr. Cox and the general surgery team perform surgeries offered at larger hospitals, including procedures in the following areas: 

• Colonoscopies and other colon surgeries 

• Gallbladder 

• Breast 

• Thyroid 

The Claiborne surgery team even offers advanced, minimally invasive operations such as laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBD). “Only 10% of general surgeons routinely perform LCBDs, but we are able to do them at Claiborne,” he said. 

Patients often don’t realize care this advanced exists close by. “That’s why I came to Claiborne,” Dr. Cox explained. “Some patients can’t travel to Knoxville for care, and I want to take care of them here at home.” 

Growing Services for the Claiborne Community 

Dr. Cox is excited to help expand Claiborne’s surgical offerings, including vascular procedures that meet critical needs in the Tri‑State area. Many older adults have been life-long smokers and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common diagnosis. Thanks to Dr. Cox and his team, “We are expanding the range of surgical services and doing things that haven’t been done in this area in the past,” he said. 

Claiborne Medical Center continues to develop its surgical capabilities by upgrading equipment and adding new specialists. The surgery staff consistently earn strong patient experience ratings and positive online reviews. 

Patients notice the quality. “Lots of patients come back and tell me the care they receive at Claiborne meets or exceeds the care they receive at other hospitals,” Dr. Cox shared. 

Part of the Community 

Dr. Cox not only wants to care for the community, but he also wants to be a part of the Claiborne community. He noted, “It is important for me to be part of the community where I work and live.” In addition to serving as an assistant professor of surgery at LMU-DCOM in Harrogate, Dr. Cox also serves as a Major and Field Surgeon with the Tennessee Army National Guard, U.S. Army Medical Department.  

Take the Next Step for Your Health 

If you need surgery or want to explore your options, talk to your primary care provider about scheduling your consultation with Dr. Cox and the expert team at Covenant Health Claiborne.  

Your health deserves the best — and it’s right here in your community.