For nearly four decades, Dr. William Tecumseh Cook has been a trusted name in women’s health in Fayette County and beyond. A board-certified OB/GYN at The Women’s Specialists of Fayette, Dr. Cook has dedicated his life to helping families bring new life into the world, having delivered more than 5,000 babies over the course of his career.
Dr. Cook’s story begins in Michigan, where he was raised in a family that practically lived and breathed medicine. His father was a family physician, and among his five sisters, three became nurses and one became a doctor. “That’s just what you do,” he recalls lightheartedly. He earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Michigan, then completed his residency at the University of Chicago.
Initially, Dr. Cook thought he might follow in his father’s footsteps into primary care. But during medical school, a rotation in OB/GYN changed everything. He was inspired by a male resident who combined professionalism, skill, and a calming presence. “He was really good at what he did,” Dr. Cook remembers, and knew that OB/GYN was the path he would take.
After residency, Dr. Cook and his wife moved south, seeking a warmer climate for his wife, a Chicago native. Their first stop was Buckhead, where Dr. Cook practiced at Piedmont Hospital. When Piedmont began developing medical services in Fayette County, the Cooks recognized the area’s great schools and quality of life. They relocated in 1995, just before the Atlanta Olympics.
Dr. Cook quickly became a bridge between Piedmont’s Atlanta base and the emerging Fayette medical community. When Piedmont Fayette Hospital opened, he served as its first Medical Staff President. “That was a really cool thing to be able to do,” he says. “Everything was a clean slate - every procedure, every process. We credentialed over 200 physicians in the first year. It was amazing to watch everything come together: young doctors, new technology, and incredible energy.”
By 2006, when the hospital needed to expand women’s services, Dr. Cook made a bold move. He left his existing group and started a new practice on his own. He took an online business course through Auburn University to prepare. “That’s something I’m really proud of,” he reflects. “It helped the hospital thrive by bringing diversity and focus to women’s care.”
His mantra for building a welcoming practice? “Cloth gowns and a fish tank.” While some saw it as frivolous, he knew small touches mattered. The fish tank soothed anxious children in the waiting room, and the cloth gowns made patients feel valued and comfortable.
For Dr. Cook, delivering babies has always been more than a job, it’s a profound privilege. “It’s amazing to be part of families as they begin,” he says. “The entire room is focused on one moment, and everyone’s excited. That's a really rare thing to be part of, and to be part of it 5,000 times… that's awesome.”
One unique tradition Dr. Cook became known for happened almost by accident: playing music during surgery, especially C-sections. Wanting to create a calming atmosphere for moms, he brought his own boombox and curated playlist. He timed songs to different stages of the delivery - Pink Floyd’s instrumental “Comfortably Numb” played as the epidural set in, the Forrest Gump theme song reminded everyone that “life is like a box of chocolates,” and a lively jazz version of “Happy Birthday”perfectly covered those magical first moments after birth. Toward the end of the procedure, “Closing Time” signaled the finish.
The best part was when the timing synced just right—the whole room would cheer. Nurses, anesthesiologists, parents… everyone was united in joy and focus on the main event. It became a fun, meaningful ritual that set Dr. Cook’s deliveries apart and made the experience memorable for everyone in the room.
Patients consistently describe Dr. Cook as professional, kind, a great listener, and non-judgmental. He’s spent his career helping expectant mothers build confidence, reassuring them that their experiences - joyful, stressful, or somewhere in between - are all part of the journey to bringing new life into the world.
Dr. Cook and his wife raised three children - a son and two daughters - and have the joy of two grandchildren. In February 2026, he will retire, having achieved his final goal: ensuring a smooth succession for the practice he built.
Here’s to Dr. William Tecumseh Cook - a remarkable doctor, leader, mentor, and friend.