Crossing the finish line of the Pittsburgh Marathon on the Boulevard of the Allies, Sammy Cohan (MPH ‘27) stretched his arms wide. Clad in his Pitt cap and gown, he was celebrating two major milestones at once: the completion of 26.2 miles and his graduation with a degree in neuroscience.
While the finish line marked the end of his undergraduate career, it served as the starting line for his next chapter at Pitt Public Health.
Cohan, a student in the 4+1 program in the Department of Health Policy and Management, earned his neuroscience degree with minors in chemistry and political science, plus a Conceptual Foundations of Medicine certificate. Having started his graduate-level coursework as a senior, he is now entering his fifth year to complete his MPH.
His ultimate goal? Medical school and a career in emergency medicine—a transition he believes works well.
“Health Policy Management was my first interest, but through that, I realized Emergency Medicine was the perfect fit,” said Cohan. “Emergency medicine is a great application for public health because from a health policy perspective, I want to understand the policies that govern patient care and use clinical judgments to guide patient outcomes.”
Cohan also ran the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2025, but this year’s race required a unique wardrobe change.
“To be honest, I just wanted a cool Instagram post,” he joked. “My parents met me with my cap and gown about a quarter of a mile from the finish line. After I crossed, people kept asking if I wanted to be interviewed, and I figured, why not?”
A lifelong tennis player, Cohan picked up running during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I started running a bit, took a break, and then a friend convinced me to do a 5K,” he said. “From there, I moved up to the 10-miler, then the full marathon.”
Due to the demands of his undergraduate coursework, Cohan fit in runs whenever he could.
“This year was tougher than last year,” Cohan said. “I tried to hit about 30 miles a week with long runs, but I had a heavy undergraduate course load last semester. I had to make my runs a priority late at night.”
Originally from Chicago, Ill., Cohan chose Pitt for its distance from home, its medical environment, and the fun things to do around campus and in the city.
Over his past three summer breaks, Cohan completed a service fellowship through the Pitt School of Social Work doing community outreach in Millvale, worked as a medical assistant in a pain management and rehabilitation clinic and is now starting his public health practicum at the UPMC Vision Institute.
“This summer, I’m working with the Eyes on Wheels and EyeVan clinics, and I’m conducting clinical research to identify policy interventions for inequities in ophthalmic care,” Cohan said. “I’m looking forward to blending clinical work with behavioral and policy public health to find solutions for patient barriers.”
Besides his interests in medicine and running, Cohan admits he has also taken on a few “side quests” during his time in Pittsburgh. Most notably, he entered the Picklesburgh pickle-eating competition in 2024. After winning his division, he took third place in the finals by downing two pounds of pickles in just three minutes.
He is also an active disc golfer, serving as president of both the Disc Golf Club and the Club Sports Council during his junior and senior years.
Following his graduation from Pitt Public Health, Cohan hopes to stay at Pitt for medical school. Regardless of where he ends up, he is looking for a home with strong emergency medicine and research programs.
“Wherever the cards fall, they fall!” he said.
As for his next 26.2? Cohan is already looking ahead to the Philadelphia Marathon this November.
Watch the full, post-race WTAE-TV Pittsburgh Interview with Sammy Cohan.
--Ava Dzurenda