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Dr. Henry L. Cook
Maker interview details
Interview
- March 16, 2002
Profession
- Category:
MedicalMakers
- Occupation(s):
Civil Rights Activist
Dentist
Birthplace
- Born: September 7, 1939
- Birth Location: Macon, Georgia
Favorites
- Favorite Color: Blue
- Favorite Food: Chicken, Yams (Candied)
- Favorite Time of Year: Summer
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Las Vegas, Nevada
Favorite Quote
"To whom much is given, much is required."
Biography
Highly regarded as a businessman and community leader, dentist Dr. Henry Lee Cook, Sr. was born on September 7, 1939 in Macon, Georgia. He earned a B. S. degree in Biology from Tuskegee University in 1962.
Cook served in the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant from 1962 to 1965. He was married, in 1964, to the former Mamie Richmond and they have been married for the past 38 years. In 1965, Cook traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and earned a D. D. S. from Meharry Medical College in 1969. Setting up private practice as a dentist in Columbus, Georgia, Cook practiced dentistry successfully for 32 years. In 1976, he built the Martin Luther King, Jr. Shopping Center in Columbus' black community, which included an ultra-modern dental office.
Throughout his career, Cook has been involved in a variety of professional and civic organizations. His affiliations include: the American College of Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the National Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, the Western District Dental Society, and the State Health Strategies Council. He is the former chairman of the board of the Columbus Technical Foundation, the Columbus Technical Institute and the A. J. McClung Y. M. C. A. Cook is currently chairman of the Minority Assistance Corporation, the Columbus Business Development Center and the Supervisory Board of Personal Review. Among his many awards, Cook is the recipient of the Georgia Dental Society's highest honor, the Dr. J. E. Carter Award and the Civil Rights Award from the National Dental Association. Both of his children, Henry and Cathy are dentists.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Henry Cook's interview
- Henry Cook lists his favorites
- Henry Cook talks about his family's history
- Henry Cook shares memories of his parents
- Henry Cook describes in his grandparents' home
- Henry Cook describes the teacher, Elizabeth Richmond, who became his adopted mother
- Henry Cook describes his childhood personality and activities
- Henry Cook talks about moving away from home in order to attend high school in Fort Valley, Georgia
- Henry Cook talks about his high school experiences and his siblings' lack of educational opportunity
- Henry Cook describes the support he received to attend Tuskegee Institute
- Henry Cook describes the sights, smells, and sounds of his childhood
- Henry Cook describes his love of reading as a child
- Henry Cook talks about his decision to major in engineering at Tuskegee Institute
- Henry Cook talks about HistoryMaker Robert Church, a father figure in his life
- Henry Cook describes his desire to please authority figures and an unforgettable lesson about lying
- Henry Cook reflects upon his high school experiences
- Henry Cook talks about his decision to major in biology at Tuskegee Institute
- Henry Cook describes his experience at Tuskegee Institute
- Henry Cook talks about the gerrymandering in Tuskegee, Alabama, and his experience of racial discrimination
- Henry Cook describes how the ROTC inspired him to join the U.S. Air Force
- Henry Cook talks about his service in the U.S. Air Force and why he left the military
- Henry Cook describes his grandparents' deaths
- Henry Cook talks about his decision to attend Meharry Medical College
- Henry Cook talks about his first year at Meharry Medical College
- Henry Cook talks about his choice of dentistry and his involvement in professional dental organizations
- Henry Cook describes how he got his start practicing dentistry in Columbus, Georgia
- Henry Cook talks about setting up his dental practice and building his own office
- Henry Cook explains why medicine and law are intimidating fields for African American youth
- Henry Cook talks about the importance of mentorship to academic success
- Henry Cook talks about his children and how he made sure they saw examples of successful black and female professionals
- Henry Cook describes changes in healthcare access for African Americans and his work with indigent patients
- Henry Cook talks about his wife's role in building his dental office
- Henry Cook talks about impact of managed care on physicians and dentists
- Henry Cook talks about Meharry Medical College, Howard University, and Morehouse School of Medicine, important educators of African American medical providers