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Outstanding Service Award in Medicine

Celebrating our alumni leaders

This award is sponsored by the Alumni Association, the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society. The award recognizes graduates whose practice of medicine, including dental, veterinary, and related medical sciences, represents remarkable achievements, and who demonstrates an enduring commitment to the College and their communities. The members of Alpha Epsilon Delta select the recipient.

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2024 Outstanding Service Award in Medicine

Dr. Jonathan Cook ’88 and Dr. Joel Cook ’88, twin brothers originally from East Tennessee, are being honored by the College of Charleston’s Pre-Health Honor Society for their outstanding service as nationally recognized leaders in dermatologic surgery. Their contributions to medicine and their commitment to education exemplify the spirit of service for which the College of Charleston is renowned.

Jonathan Cook ’88, MD

Dr. Jonathan Cook ’88 is a full Professor and Division Head of Dermatologic Surgery at Duke Medical Center. Raised in the mountains of East Tennessee, Dr. Cook attended the College of Charleston where he studied German literature, earning a BA in German. He went on to graduate magna cum laude and finished first in his class. Dr. Cook completed his medical education at the Medical University of South Carolina where he again graduated first in his class. Following medical school, he completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Harvard’s Deaconess Hospital in Boston. Dr. Cook then moved to Atlanta to complete his Dermatology residency at Emory. He completed his Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Upon completion of his Fellowship, he joined the Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania for two years. He was soon recruited to Duke Medical Center in 1999. He has published extensively on various topics on cutaneous oncology and reconstructive dermatologic surgery.

Dr. Cook is considered one of the country’s leading experts in Mohs and reconstructive dermatologic surgery and frequently lectures nationally and internationally. His areas of expertise are Mohs microscopic surgery and facial reconstructive surgery. He holds certifications from the American Board of Dermatology, Microscopic Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Board of Dermatology.

Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Cook enjoys classical music, reading, travel, and has an interest in Scottish bagpiping. He competed for over 20 years as a solo player as well as in a Scottish Pipe Band. Dr. Cook and his wife, Anita, reside in Chapel Hill, NC, with their son, Angus, and two West Highland white terriers, Captain James and Tennille. The couple recently made a generous gift to CofC’s German Program Fund.

Joel Cook ’88, MD

Dr. Joel Cook is a full Professor of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and the Division Head of Dermatologic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Originally from East Tennessee, Dr. Cook came to Charleston to attend the College where he graduated magna cum laude with his BS in biology. He remained in Charleston for his medical school education at MUSC where he graduated second in his class and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Following medical school, Dr. Cook completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia. His Dermatology residency was at MUSC. He then completed the prestigious fellowship in Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, Shadyside, in 1997.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. Cook returned to MUSC and joined the faculty of the Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. He has held many national appointments including the board of directors of the American College of Mohs Surgery. He has published extensively on varied topics in cutaneous oncology and reconstructive surgery and has a nationally renowned surgical fellowship training program.

Dr. Cook is regarded as one of the country’s leading experts on Mohs and reconstructive dermatologic surgery and frequently lectures at national and international meetings. His area of expertise is Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstructive dermatologic surgery. His special interest is flap reconstruction of post-surgical facial defects. Dr. Cook is currently active in several clinical trials for Mohs surgery, melanoma treatments, and others.

Dr. Cook resides in Daniel Island, SC, with his wife, Christi—an obstetrician-gynecologist, and two stepchildren, Marshall—a junior at Clemson University studying biomedical engineering, and Madeline—a senior at Bishop England High School. The family also enjoys the company of their two Coton de Tulear dogs, Will.he and Jack.

Pre-Health Society’s Outstanding Service Award in Medicine Past Recipients

*Deceased