When Tom Sonnanstine V transferred to Kent State University as a second-semester freshman from Dublin, Ohio, he was recovering from a hip injury that had ended his football career at Johns Hopkins University. Introverted and unsure of his path forward, he chose Kent State for its proximity to family and its partnership with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Today, he's a surgery resident at Summa Health in Akron, confidently leading teams in the operating room.
Sonnanstine’s transformation illustrates the power of Kent State's Early Assurance Program and the comprehensive support system within the College of Arts and Sciences.
A Guaranteed Path to Medical School
Sonnanstine chose Kent State specifically for its Early Assurance Program with NEOMED.
"I knew I wanted to go to medical school and I knew that Kent State is a fantastic school that would help me accomplish my goals," Sonnanstine said.
The decision felt natural—his father had graduated from NEOMED in 1998, his grandmother and cousin had attended Kent State, and the program offered something invaluable: certainty in an uncertain process.
"Kent State's program with NEOMED was a fantastic way of helping me get into medical school," Sonnanstine said.
"Having this program not only assisted me with getting a spot that was guaranteed, but it also helped me obtain challenging classes and excellent professors that further guided me in developing my resume with research experiences,” he said.
Building a Strong Foundation Through Personal Connection
As a double major in biochemistry and psychology at Kent State, Sonnanstine took full advantage of the College of Arts and Sciences' resources. The academic advisors were consistently supportive, guiding him through course selection and helping him progress through both demanding majors. But it was the research experience that truly connected his personal journey to his professional aspirations.
Sonnanstine joined a research lab in the Department of Psychological Sciences led by Yossef S. Ben-Porath, Ph.D., (professor emeritus at Kent State) working with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to evaluate psychological factors in spine surgery candidates.
The research held deep personal meaning, having undergone multiple hip surgeries himself, Sonnanstine understood firsthand the emotional challenges that patients face.
"I was curious whether there are certain scores on the MMPI that can predict the development of higher levels of negative affect post-surgery," Sonnanstine said.
His research examined differences in outcomes between patients who experienced increased negative emotions after surgery and those who didn't. He hoped to find further utility of the MMPI-2-RF as a presurgical psychological evaluation tool.
Beyond the scientific insights, the research experience transformed Sonnanstine’s relationship with the department.
"By coming in so often over the summer, I began to see familiar faces and quickly felt more integrated into the community," he recalls.
He developed coding skills, improved his time management, and built lasting mentorship relationships with faculty like Associate Professor Shannon Ciesla, Ph.D. These connections gave him research accomplishments he still discusses today and revealed the powerful overlap between psychology and medicine that would shape his career.
Finding His Voice Through Service
Perhaps the most transformative experience came through Flashes Fighting Hunger (formerly Campus Kitchen), a student-run food pantry.
"Coming to college, I was originally really introverted, very shy," Sonnanstine admits. "However, once I got into Kent State, got situated with all my classes and started making new friends, I sought out different organizations."
Through various leadership positions at the food pantry, from being an occasional volunteer all the way up to becoming the manager, Sonnanstine developed the interpersonal skills that are essential for a successful career in medicine.
"The relationships I was able to build with people that attended the pantries are something that I will never forget. I still remember multiple people who brought me gifts during my last week," Sonnanstine said.
These experiences taught him to connect with diverse community members, build rapport quickly, and lead with empathy—skills he now uses daily as a surgery resident.
Sonnanstine also participated in peer mentorship programs, working closely with Ciesla and eventually mentoring undergraduate students himself. This full-circle experience reinforced his commitment to teaching and collaboration.
Staying Close to Home, Building a Career
The decision to pursue his medical education in Ohio was intentional. With family nearby and connections to world-class hospital systems like Akron General, Summa, and Riverside Methodist Hospital, Sonnanstine found everything he needed close to home.
"With the opportunities and education provided to me through my clinical rotations at all of our affiliate hospitals, I had zero hesitations about my ability to match into a competitive general surgery residency. At the end of the day, I was fortunate enough to match at my number one choice, Summa Health," Sonnanstine said.
Looking back at his Friday afternoons walking across Kent State's beautiful campus with friends, heading downtown for dinner, Sonnanstine recognizes how those moments of belonging shaped his journey.
“Without going to Kent State and having all of these opportunities available to me, I would’t be where I am today,” he said.
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Media Contact:
Jim Maxwell, JMAXWEL2@kent.edu, 330-672-8028