Men on the Scene: James Cocco

Born on the Jersey Shore, Dr. James Cocco grew up enjoying summers on the boardwalk, great pizza, and not having to pump his own gas. His love of the outdoors also calls him to the mountains, where he learned to snow ski at the age of two. Dr. Cocco also excelled in both football and baseball, continuing his baseball career into college and medical school. Although he initially felt destined for veterinary medicine, his career aspirations eventually shifted to healthcare. Dr. Cocco followed his calling to the honors program at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he attained his bachelor’s degree in biology. Continuing on to the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, he earned his medical degree in 2000.Eager to return to the beach, Dr. Cocco entered a residency program for Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of South Florida in the summer of 2000. There, his hospital affiliations included All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg, where he met his wife, Tara, who worked as a pediatric ICU nurse. She is now a nurse practitioner in Sarasota and mother to the couple’s two sons, Logan (12) and Blake (9). After residency, Dr. Cocco became board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics, practicing with First Physician’s Group in Sarasota for 12 years. In 2016 he joined the concierge medical practice of LernerCohen Healthcare. There, his exclusive concierge-style practice allows him the flexibility to provide immediate appointments, manage his patients when hospitalized, and even make housecalls.“I believe in the doctor-patient relationship and enjoy developing a genuine bond with each person I treat. It’s this personalized approach to medicine that makes a difference,” he said. In his spare time, Dr. Cocco is an avid boater and still enjoys snow skiing, as well as everything outdoors with his family and three dogs.