Moving on Up: Cody Greenwood

When Cody Greenwood, DNP, RN, CCRN, CMTE, EMT, visited his best friend’s daughter in the Cook Children’s NICU, he knew that was the place he wanted to make a difference. Nearly 30 years later, he has worked his way up from secretary in the NICU to clinical manager of Teddy Bear Transport.

“It has been quite a journey,” Cody said. “I had great mentors each step of the way who encouraged me to keep going. Cook Children’s has always been a place where people have the opportunity to grow into whatever they want to do.”

During Cody’s time as a secretary in the NICU, leadership and staff nurses inspired him to pursue nursing school which he began in 2007 before transitioning to care partner. Two years later, Cody started his journey as a NICU nurse. He remembers the first time he saw the Transport team bring in a baby by helicopter.

“I couldn’t believe we had such an amazing service that we provide not only for our region but other states and even countries,” Cody said. “I wanted to be part of that aspect of Cook Children’s.”

After four years as a NICU nurse, Cody applied to be in Transport and landed a staff nurse position for the first two years before becoming the inter-department educator. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2016 and a master’s degree two years later. In March 2020, Cody transitioned from educator to nursing manager in the NICU while working on his doctorate. Now he serves as clinical manager of Teddy Bear Transport where he feels a sense of camaraderie as they care for high acuity patients. He remembers one of his patients who came back years later to visit the transport team and to see the aircraft that played a large role in saving his life.

“Watching the patients thrive through the years is an amazing feeling,” Cody said.

Cody encourages his employees to take the next step in their education and says tuition reimbursement made a world of difference for him.

“I believe education is very important and if an employer is willing to help pay for it, people should take advantage of it. Cook Children’s has made me who I am today and along the way, I have created lasting friendships. I consider myself very lucky to be here and to have grown into Dr. Greenwood over the years. I don’t see myself leaving until I retire.”