Spotlight

Cody H. Penrod, MD

Assistant Professor

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

How long have you worked in Pediatrics?   I started here in July 2018.

What is your favorite thing about your job?     It sounds cliché but I think that is because it is sincerely true for many, the people I work with are the best thing about my job. I don’t mean just the fantastic attendings, fellows, residents, nurses, and ancillary staff, but also the patients and their families. They are all a part of the PED work environment and all contribute in variable amounts on a daily basis to my happiness while at work.

What is your hometown? Columbia, TN (Mule Capital of the World)

What is your favorite movie? Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Tell us about your family:   My dad is Mike Penrod and he is currently the president of an industrial construction company based out of Columbia. My mom is Margot Penrod and she recently retired from the public school system in Columbia but is now pursuing her hobby/career as an event decorator and philanthropist. My sister is Morgan Keeton and she just recently left her position as a Pediatric Surgical RN to obtain her NP degree with a future goal of contributing to the pediatric care provided in our hometown.

Do you have pets? (If yes, what kind? How many?)  Not yet but I have been scouting out puppies and might have a new addition to the household in the spring.

What are you doing, where are you going, for your next vacation?  My next trip is a snowboarding reunion with my friends from residency in Park City, Utah.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Initially I wanted to be a professional baseball player but that dream came crashing down when I failed to hit my last growth spurt until after high school.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments?  I am most proud of the time I spent coaching my Challenger Baseball team while in medical school. I attached a picture from our last season, I miss those kids very much and the time I spent with them is invaluable.

What is your favorite quote?  “Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.” – Mark Twain (cosigned by my Grandfather)

What was your first job?  I worked construction for my dad every summer, which meant I did all the jobs anybody with a real position in the company did not want to do.

What is your favorite ice cream?  Ice cream is my number one food group, I have been on a Nutella kick so any ice cream along those lines will be my instant favorite.