Sam was born in Philadelphia, PA, but became a 'son of the South' as soon as he could. He was medically trained in Guadalajara, Mexico, interned at Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and completed his residency at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. While in Buffalo he met his wife of now almost 38 wonderful years and best friend, Michele.

​

Dr. Zuckerman did his subspecialty training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine in Detroit at Henry Ford Hospital, and then moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1989. His 3 children were born in Memphis while Sam became director of the pediatric ICU at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. During this time he also worked as a physiology researcher and professor at the University of Memphis School of Medicine.

 

Sam and his family relocated to San Antonio in 1995, and they have all been proud Texans ever since. Sam came to Texas to start the fellowship program at UTHSC San Antonio training others as pediatric intensivists.

 

Raised in a Jewish home,  Sam grew up as a practicing Jew and continued in that faith through his years in medical school even in Mexico. It was the demand of 100+ hour weeks along patient bedsides that distanced him from Judaism. Due to near-death experiences of several remarkable patients Sam’s faith evolved, and he found and loved Jesus in 2010. Not only did these cases change his faith, but they helped change his practice for future patients.

 

Sam retired at the end of 2025, and he now finally has the time to join Bible study groups and regularly attend as a member of the Hillside Fellowship Church in Spring Branch. Sam is very excited to share his story with our group!