Alumni Profile: Sam Cook ’06 ‘Living a Dream’ Born in Middle School

After graduating from Drexel Medical School last spring, Sam Cook ‘06 was thrilled to see a congratulatory note addressed to “Dr. Sam Cook.” The senders? Two important figures from his elementary years: Upper School Science Teacher Steven Schwartz and Head of School Virginia Connor.

It was only fitting, Sam says. “From the sixth grade, I knew I wanted to be a doctor.” Sam credits his elementary school teachers, including Mr. Schwartz, for inspiring his love of science and math and encouraging him on his journey into medicine.

From St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s, Sam went on to attend The Lawrenceville School in Princeton, N.J. and then Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in biology and was a member of the track and field team.

This fall, Sam embarked on his general surgery residency at Hofstra University, where he has begun “living a dream” born at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s—all the while, he is grateful for the faculty who nurtured it.