Delivering exceptional care with a smile at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center

When asked about his favorite part of working at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Fox’s answer is as succinct as it is unexpected: “The food,” he says, breaking into a smile.

You might be surprised to find a neurosurgeon with such wry sense of humor, but it perfectly reflects Dr. Fox’s unique combination of focused professionalism leavened by a keen awareness of what matters most in life.

Raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Fox attended USC before attending Chicago Medical School. Following residencies at UC Davis and SUNY Downstate, he joined Sutter Health in Sacramento, where he served as Director of Neurosurgery before coming to Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in 2017.

Though he’s not a Valley native, Dr. Fox says he’s found a home in the Tarzana community. “I have a lot of friends that moved to the Valley from the city, so my roots go pretty deep here,” he explains.

However, his interest in coming to the Valley was as much professional as it was personal. “I saw the vision they had building the new hospital, and I thought it was a good opportunity to start at the ground level with something that could be very special.”

“It’s a tight community here — physicians, nursing, administration. The quality of care is very good, and the staff is always striving to get better.”

He also recognizes the important role that Providence Tarzana Foundation plays in ensuring the high level of care that the hospital provides.

“The Foundation helps people give back to the community,” he says. “It’s like a garden; you have to water it. It takes these outside resources, people who give to the Foundation, to help us keep doing the things we do.”

Reflecting on his life outside work, his sense of humor resurfaces when asked about how he spends his free time. “What?” he responds with a grin. “I don’t do anything else.”

Kidding aside, Dr. Fox says he enjoys playing basketball and practicing mixed martial arts, but his life really revolves around his wife and three children, as well as his parents. It’s clear that Dr. Fox views family as both the foundation for his success and his legacy.

“The most influential people in my life were my parents,” he says. “They taught me to do the right thing and to work hard.”

And his proudest achievement?

“Raising my three kids well,” he smiles. “Ultimately your legacy is your children. That’s how people remember you.”