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Staff Spotlight - Cody Ching, MHA

I have worked within the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics Administrative team since I started working at UIHC in August of 2016.  My wife Erin is a faculty member here in the Department of Psychiatry. We have a 9 month old son named Malcolm and a 9 year old long haired dachshund named Stella.

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, riding my bike, playing softball (in non-covid times), and improving my golf swing. I used to be an avid video gamer, mostly enjoying sports simulations and some other more competitive games as well. A lot of my spare time right now goes to fantasy football and pick'em leagues. My wife and I also have a soft spot for rescue dogs.

My first dream job would have been being a professional baseball or football player. I found out at a young age that I was a bit too small and slow for that to become a reality. Combining my love of numbers and metrics with sports, working in a front office/analytics/scouting for a professional sports team would be a career I would enjoy outside of healthcare.

While my family is originally from Hawaii, I was born and raised in Washington State. My favorite sports teams are the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle SuperSonics (if they ever come back) and soon to be Seattle Kraken. However, I've been fortunate enough to have been able to visit Grandparents and other relatives in Hawaii a few times. I most often visit family on Oahu, but I think both Maui and Kauai are more fun from a vacation standpoint. Maui offers a good combination of nature and touristy activities and Kauai is mostly rural and great for hiking/adventuring. The food is truly unique and fantastic on all of the islands!

Favorite meal or restaurant? My favorite restaurants in Iowa City have been: La Regia, Big Grove, Stella, Monica's and Wig & Pen. My favorite restaurants in Portland, OR (if you ever have the opportunity to visit) would be: Ken's Pizza, Ate-Oh-Ate, Teote House Cafe, Pambiche, Salt and Straw Ice Cream, Bamboo Sushi, Mediterranean Exploration Company, Pok Pok, and many more.

Favorite book or movie? There's way too many movies to name, but some of my favorites include: Back to The Future (one, three and two in that order), The Sandlot, A League of Their Own, Shawshank Redemption, Good Will Hunting, Wayne's World, Big Trouble in Little China, Empire Records, Top Gun and lots more. While movies based on books rarely live up to expectations, a book from the past couple of years I enjoyed was The Martian, which they managed to turn into an entertaining movie as well.

If I was granted 3 wishes, they would be for 1. Seattle Mariners would make the playoffs and end a major sports worst 19 year dry spell. 2. Health and well-being for all of my friends and family. 3. At the risk of sounding too idealistic, an increased sense of compassion and understanding for everyone these days.

Fun Fact: I've had 5 major orthopedic surgeries that resulted from various sports injuries and a very abbreviated Cross Fit stint.

Date: 
Monday, October 12, 2020