Biography
Steven Cox, M.D., is an otolaryngologist with MyMichigan Ear, Nose & Throat. He sees patients of all ages at his office in Midland.
“Otolaryngology, or ENT, is an incredible field of medicine,” said Dr. Cox. “I treat a very broad array of problems of the ears, nose and throat. Whether it’s neck lumps and bumps, hoarseness, chronic sinus problems or recurrent ear infections, an otolaryngologist is the physician to manage these issues.”
As an ENT, Dr. Cox takes care of the youngest and the oldest members of society. Whether it’s placing ear tubes for recurrent infections, performing sinus surgery for a patient with chronic sinus problems or helping someone manage their sleep apnea, Dr. Cox takes pride in his work to help improve his patients’ quality of life.
Philosophy of Care
“My philosophy of care is shared decision making,” said Dr. Cox. “One of my jobs as a physician is to take the time to provide the different options available to treat a patient’s medical problem. Based on these options, we work together to select the best treatment to fit their goals for their care.”
Dr. Cox sees the physician-patient relationship as a team, and one of his roles on the team is to provide options for treating ENT ailments. “Together, we can determine what therapy would work best for a patient’s goal for care,” he said.
“I strive to treat patients as though it was me or my family member going through the same process,” Dr. Cox said. “In fact, as a teenager, I sat on the other side of the exam room as a support person for my mom. She was experiencing single sided hearing loss and ringing, later being diagnosed with a rare, benign tumor known as a vestibular schwannoma (she continues to do well today!). When patients choose me for their care, they can trust that I have been on the other side of that exam room and that I will be happy to guide them through the care, as was done for my family.”
Special Interests and Procedures
Dr. Cox has training in advanced sleep surgery techniques, including the Inspire Hypoglossal nerve stimulator for patients with sleep apnea who can’t tolerate a CPAP machine. “I was very fortunate to train at the University of Tennessee under one of the leading sleep surgeons in the field of ENT,” he said. “In addition, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, which provided an outstanding foundation for caring for children.”
In his free time, Dr. Cox enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole, and their son, Finn, watching Michigan State football and basketball and traveling abroad to experience new cultures and food. Dr. Cox also enjoys coffee, reading, running and cycling.
