Secret Lives: Juggling Passions

Secret Lives is an ongoing series that shares the unusual past careers and unique hobbies of OhioHealth associates, physicians, and volunteers.

Take another look at your co-worker, your supervisor or the associate you see every day at lunch. How well do you know them? Did you realize that in our midst there are budding movie stars, former professional athletes, experts in falconry, musicians and artists? The list goes on. We all have unique lives and stories to tell beyond our job titles.

Obi Moneme, MD, neurologist, OhioHealth Neurological Physicians, Riverside Methodist; former Columbus Crew SC player

Dr. Moneme grew up playing soccer. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1996, he was hired to play for the minor-league soccer team, Columbus Xoggz.

That turned into a contract with the newly-formed, major-league soccer club, Columbus Crew SC, where he played for part of the inaugural season.

“We played in The Horseshoe, the stadium where The Ohio State Buckeyes play, so it was a huge venue,” he says. “I just remember being on the field and training and getting to know people who were stars in the soccer world, such as Brian McBride and Brad Friedel.”

Dr. Moneme retired from professional soccer to pursue a career in medicine, but he continues to play about once a week with the Columbus Premier Soccer League.

“I still like to compete,” he says. “It’s one of those things that will always be a part of me.”

Xingyi Que, MD, FACS, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital; Ping-Pong champion

When Dr. Que isn’t in the operating room, the 52-year-old surgeon is outdoing competitors at the Ping-Pong table.

Dr. Que rediscovered his childhood talent for the sport when a friend invited him to play six years ago. He’s now a member of the Columbus Table Tennis Club, practicing every week and competing in tournaments.

In the club’s 2014 year-end tournament, Dr. Que won a championship for players in the over-50 category, and another against players of the same U1600 ranking, but of all ages. He was also a winner in the 2015 Chinese New Year table tennis tournament.

“Table tennis can really sharpen your mind,” he says. “You have to have a quick response, quick thinking. It keeps your brain healthy.”