John Cox

Founder of Impact On People

John Cox grew up in Goochland County Virginia. John’s father was a farmer and John always helped his father on the farm until his dad passed away in 1977 from cancer.

As a young boy, John's enjoyed attending church and helping people in the community. As he grew into adolescence, John enjoyed watching sports on television and his dream was to compete in sports.  When John's mother decided to move the family back to Richmond, VA he attended Fairfield Middle School and Highland Spring High School where he played guard and tackle on the Championship Varsity football team.  Cox was also a five-time champion on the Varsity Wrestling team. 

After graduating high school Cox began coaching Little League wrestling and later joined the US Navy.  Upon his return home from serving in the Navy, he began coaching high school wrestling at three different high schools in the city of Richmond VA and Henrico County School systems.  

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John's career commenced at MCU Hospital in 1986.  He also worked as Counselor Tech at Richmond Community Hospital where he also managed the Security of Department of Environmental Services.  He later took employment with Bon Secours Health System as Manager of the Outreach Clinic.  In this role, John worked with the Bon Secours Care-A-Van mobile unit where he was instrumental in reaching out to underserved communities in Henrico providing free immunizations and other health and medical services.  As a driver, John noticed that few people were showing up for the free services so he became a Community Liaison and spread the word about the services available.  Cox single handedly went door-to-door to bring families to the mobile unit.  In 1998, Cox won the Virginia Health Foundation Unsung Hero Award for leading the Care- A- Van to receive the most immunizations in the history of the program. Cox was featured in the Richmond Time Dispatch Newspaper for this great accomplishment.

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