Cody M. Yochum, APRN-CNP, DNP, specializes in pulmonology and critical care at Utica Park Clinic (UPC). His professional areas of interest include critical care, post-resuscitation, double-sequential defibrillation in refractory ventricular arrhythmias and advanced practice nursing.

Cody’s inspiration to pursue a career in medicine came about at a young age. He said, “I always had been interested in medicine since I was young. I actually was planning to be a vet until a rodeo accident when I was 16 made me switch from working with animals to working with humans.”

As time developed, Cody began to gravitate toward a specialty that would help shape his future. He added, “I always like the ‘excitement’ and variety that emergency medicine brought. I began my career in the ER/trauma, but after a few years I found I really enjoyed working with the complexity of critical care and all associated with it. After my grandfather survived a cardiac arrest and made a full recovery, I knew that was where I wanted to focus my efforts and energy.”

Now, as Cody gets to work closely with patients, he works hard to connect with each person and where they are in their journey. “I always try and meet my patients where they are,” he said. “I listen to their concerns, their questions and their stress. In critical care, there is a lot of difficult conversations that go on and I try to not just see what is being said by the patient and the family but also see beyond to what is not being said: the fear, anxiety, etc. of the unknown and I bring that to the forefront and address it. I find that patients and families then see me not as some unattached provider above them, but as a human there in the trenches with them in their difficult time.”

Cody’s advice and reminder to his patients is that getting better is a team effort. He is committed to helping you reach your goals, but only if you are willing to put the work in.

Outside of work, Cody enjoys traveling as much as he can to other countries, spoiling his four-legged kid (also known as his 80 lb. lap dog) and visiting Dallas to hang out with his four godchildren.

When asked what it is that patients may not expect when they come in for a visit, Cody said, “To see a life-size Sheldon Cooper look-alike come walking in.”