Katie Tunney joined NEOMED in November 2022 as administrative coordinator of the College of Medicine. In her position, she provides administrative and operational support to the College, supports Giselle Hamad, M.D., associate dean for clinical affairs, and Doug Moses, M.D. (’95), associate dean of admissions and students, and manages the College’s social media accounts. The Pulse recently invited her to share more about herself.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Fontana, California, and currently live in Kent.
Tell us about your family. Any pets?
I have a huge family in Ohio. I am an only child, but just here in Ohio, I have 11 cousins. I still have family in California whom I visit quite a bit. I also have a five-year-old English bulldog named Gus.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role at NEOMED?
I hope to accomplish growth as an office and individual. I completed my [Lean Six Sigma] yellow belt this past spring and plan on completing my green belt in the fall. I want to keep growing in this position and continue to bring ideas and listen to ideas that help everyone grow.
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
I love cooking and baking. I enjoy going to sporting events (I love hockey and college football) and I collect Nikes and Jordans.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Waking up at the beach with a good cup of fresh coffee watching the waves crash. Being able to be in the water, shopping at the local shops or finding a great restaurant that all the locals go to. Oh! And putting your phone on DND and checking it when you have time to.
How do you like to spend your time after work?
Going to the gym, hanging out with my cousins, attending hockey/football games, hanging out at local coffee shops and farmers markets.
If you could eat only one type of food for a year, what would you choose?
I would pick Mexican food. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mexican food. Growing up in California I was around authentic Mexican food. I can’t just put one thing but Mexican food as a whole I would eat for a year.
What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
I would buy my whole family plane tickets to Italy and visit where my grandparents are from.
How do you blow off steam/relax?
Go to the gym!
What is your go-to lazy dinner?
Pizza! I am a sucker for pizza and yes, pineapple belongs on pizza!
If you could leave for vacation tomorrow, where are you going?
The Maldives.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
Our families Christmas tradition. As a kid we would all gather at my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve and all my cousins would come over. It was the night we got to open one present and we would watch Christmas movies and bake cookies. As we all have gotten older, we still all get together on Christmas Eve, we each make a dish now and do Christmas breakfast.
What makes you feel old?
Knowing that the ’90s are a throwback now and my bones cracking in the morning when getting out of bed.