Because the photos include Confidential Health Information (CHI) as defined by Columbia University policies governing data security and privacy, access is allowed only under the terms of Archives and Special Collections’ Access Policy to Records Containing Confidential Health Information.
Researchers must first view digitized version (173 of 180 prints) in reading room.
Black-and-white silver gelatin photographs taken by photojournalist Eugene Cook, depicting patients receiving physical therapy, medical staff, and facility interiors in Columbia University’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, located at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.
History and Biography
Born in New York City on February 25, 1917 to Michael and Edith Cook, Eugene Cook was former picture editor for Time magazine in the 1940s and entertainment editor at Life magazine through the 1950s. After leaving Life in 1959, he worked as a freelance photojournalist, living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. During this time, he photographed patients and their care in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at what was then called the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in Washington Heights, New York City (now the Columbia University Irving Medical Center).
He began his career at Yale University’s School of Music around 1974. He served as Lecturer for the course “Italian for Singers” in 1978-1979 and was Director of the Concert and Press Office in 1975-1978. Cook was appointed Professor of Photojournalism at Boston University in 1982-1986. He also served as the Director of Public Affairs and Special Projects in the University’s School of Fine Arts in 1984-1986.
Eugene Cook died in Brookline, Massachusetts on August 23, 1986.
Organization
Physically arranged by scan number order (#O-000494 – O-000667) in larger digitized oversized photograph “O” collection.
Of note are scenes taken at a party honoring Ursula Corning, possibly for her retirement in 1968. A graduate of Columbia University’s Physical Therapy program in 1946, Corning served as a physical therapist at the Neurological Institute for 22 years and funded an endowed professorship named for her father, H.K. Corning. She later founded the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, an artist residency program in Italy.
A few photographic prints are enlargements of duplicates. Some prints may contain grease pencil editing marks. Photographs are undated but appear to be from the late 1960s to early 1970s. All prints are 11 x 14 inches in size and are printed on glossy, fiber-based photographic paper.
Subject Headings and Related Records
Administrative Information
Gift of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Columbia University, in 2004 (accession 2004.08.10).