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�鶹���� graduates are creating the future of healthcare throughout Ohio. With one of only nine accredited colleges of podiatry in the U.S. and nationally recognized programs for nursing, public health and more, the university has established itself as a leader in healthcare education and workforce development throughout the state. Many of those alumni choose to stay in Ohio, using their knowledge and skills within various healthcare systems to provide the highest quality care.  

At Akron Children’s, recognized as one of the top children’s healthcare systems in the country by U.S. News and World Report, Statista and Newsweek, Kent State graduates are helping ensure more children can thrive, heal and grow. They are bringing the Akron Children’s mission of “More childhood, please” to life through their dedication, expertise and commitment to care, whether they are at the patient’s bedside, out in the community or behind the screen. 

Growing up with a nurse for a mother, Lisa Aurilio never lacked for fascinating stories during her childhood. She heard from her mother about what it was like to be a nurse, and when it came time to choose a career path of her own, Aurilio knew what she wanted to do.  

“I really identified in high school early on that I loved science, and I loved people. I’m outgoing and an extrovert, so those things fit together perfectly for nursing,” she said. 

Aurilio is from the Youngstown area, and Kent State seemed far enough – but not too far – away from home. Most importantly, the university already had a longstanding reputation for its strong nursing program. Aurilio was determined to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but she also made sure to get involved while on campus.  

“I became very active in the Students for Professional Nursing and the National Student Nurses Association,” she said. “One of my fondest memories was being part of the Homecoming Parade. We would do a nursing float every year, participate in the parade, paint the Rock. All of those traditions are the things that I remember fondly about Kent State.”  

As an undergraduate, Aurilio said a faculty advisor for the student organization she was involved in planted the seed for further aspirations in nursing. Ruth Ludwick, Ph.D., taught Aurilio how important it is to be involved beyond the patient’s bedside, to ensure the voices of nurses are heard during important conversations.  

To join those larger discussions, however, she would need to move into management. Knowing Kent State has a nationally renowned program in advanced nursing degrees, Aurilio returned to her alma mater. She earned a master’s degree in nursing administration, and shortly after, she joined Akron Children’s as a director of nursing, where she oversaw the neonatal intensive care unit and inpatient units for eight years.  

Aurilio then moved into the role of chief nursing officer, representing all nurses of Akron Children’s and serving as their voice at the highest level. As the sole nurse at the board table, Aurilio realized she wanted to enhance her business skills. That decision led her back to Kent State’s Executive MBA program, which allowed her to balance work and life as she pursued her graduate degree. 

Even as she navigates her role today as chief operating officer, Aurilio continues to bring a nursing perspective to her work. She participates in "leader rounding" at Akron Children’s, where she interacts with staff on the front lines to understand what’s working well, what could be improved and how the organization can support its employees in providing the best care possible.  

“I feel like I’m still able to give nursing care to patients, but through the 7,000 employees at Akron Children’s who are caring for patients every day – because I make sure they have the tools, the staff and the buildings to do that great care,” she said. 

Teddy Pavlantos didn’t just want to be a nurse – he wanted to be a great nurse. Like Aurilio, that determination to excel was established early and inspired by his mother, and led to a fulfilling career in healthcare beyond what he initially set out to do.  

“My mom was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at a very young age,”  Pavlantos said. “I would see how nurses would take care of my mom, and she would tell me ‘No one wants a mediocre nurse; you better be a good nurse.’ So that’s what I’ve done my entire life – try to be a good nurse for my mom.”  

Originally, Pavlantos wanted to be a nurse in the intensive care unit, but during his time as an intern in Akron Children’s Assuring Success with a Commitment to Enhance Nurse Diversity (ASCEND) program, he realized he was drawn to the quick-paced, high-intensity energy of the emergency department. He soon transitioned from an intern to a staff nurse, still in the emergency department. That ability to remain calm under pressure and provide critical care quickly proved valuable for his next role as a transport nurse.   

In 2024, Akron Children’s transferred about 3,500 patients, approximately 300 of them by AirBear, Ohio’s first pediatric-dedicated medical transport helicopter. The Akron Children’s Transfer Center team also alerts the emergency departments and intensive care units when urgent patients are about to arrive, helping maximize efficiency when timing can literally be the difference between life or death.  

“You’re really taking some of the sickest of the sick kids, and you’re on your own with maybe one or two other people in the back of the truck, in the back of AirBear,” he said. “So really you have to be autonomous, you have to be confident, and you have to enjoy your job.”  

Pavlantos became transfer center supervisor in 2023, coordinating the transport teams and monitoring all the ways patients come into Akron Children’s to ensure they receive the care they need.  

“We’re really able to put that puzzle together to get kids to the right place at the right time in the right bed,” Pavlantos explained.  

Pavlantos recently decided to further his education and expand his understanding of the business side of healthcare. He came to Kent State to pursue a dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Nursing as part of the first cohort of the Rising Nurse Leader Academy, a professional development program offered by Akron Children’s that allows employees to pursue advanced degrees through Kent State and prepare them for the next step in their careers. 

“I really was surprised how Kent State was able to foster that emotional connection between peers, even though we were all online,” Pavlantos said.  

Through the program, Pavlantos spent two semesters learning from Akron Children’s leaders, including Meghan Weese, ’01, director of Nursing Professional Development and Engagement, as well as from Aurilio herself. He was also able to hone his analytical skills and strengthen his ability for fine-point evaluation.

Pavlantos found that all his colleagues were willing to share their knowledge and lend a helping hand as needed.  

“Everyone is kind, and everyone is just here for the kids,” he said. “Getting them back to being able to play – that’s what it’s all about.”  

Erica Dovin is making an impact at Akron Children’s as the regional advocacy, community outreach and education coordinator. She plans hundreds of community initiatives annually, bridging the gap between hospital resources and the families who need them most.

Her journey into the field began with a shift in academic focus. Originally pursuing speech pathology, she discovered her passion for broader human services through the guidance of her Kent State advisor. That choice led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science and set the stage for a dynamic career rooted in service and advocacy. “I always wanted to work with kids,” Dovin explained. “They bring such an amazing light to the world.” 

At Akron Children’s, Dovin coordinates education programs and community engagement events – like pop-ups at pediatric offices that offer hygiene kits, books and health information to families. Her work goes beyond logistics; it's personal. “Doing these community events makes me feel amazing. I feel connected to the community,” she said.

Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was honored with Kent State’s Outstanding New Professional Award, a recognition that affirmed her leadership and impact at an early stage in her career. “I thought for sure there were other people more qualified than me,” she reflects. “But then I realized – wow, I’m young, and I have made a difference.” 

Dovin remains deeply connected to her alma mater through her volunteer role as Kent State’s chapter director for the Delta Zeta sorority. In fact, Greek Life played a huge role during her undergraduate experience, and one of her favorite memories was how she and a college friend were able to remain close as sorority sisters.  

For Dovin, staying rooted in the community that shaped her into the young professional she is today is both fulfilling and rewarding. “Kent State gave me a lot during my undergraduate time,” Dovin said. “I want to make sure that I'm always connected to what gave me this opportunity and the foundation that my career was built on.” 

Ryan Pavlak was born and raised in the Mahoning Valley, and now he’s working to help the children in his hometown community thrive and experience childhood to the fullest.  

“I love working in the community that I grew up in, being a resource to my friends, my community members and being able to offer something bigger than myself,” Pavlak said.  

Pavlak’s parents were both respiratory therapists who went on to work in management. At 13, his father took him to visit a colleague to see a new piece of medical equipment – an MRI machine. He was fascinated, and the experience set the trajectory for his future career.  

As a high school student, Pavlak loved all things creative, particularly photography. When he realized he could combine that love of photography with a career in the medical field, he knew radiology was a good fit. And when he discovered he could earn a Kent State degree at a Regional Campus while continuing to work and live at home, he was sold.  

“Some of the other radiology schools, they just don’t hold the same clout that Kent State does. Kent State is known to produce some of the best radiographers, CT techs, ultrasound techs and nuclear medicine techs that are out there.”  

Throughout his college experience and into his career, Pavlak has noticed a special bond between Golden Flashes. The radiology classes at �鶹���� at Salem were small, allowing for a deep connection between classmates. Over the years, Pavlak has hired former classmates and overseen interns from Kent State.  

“When I see someone coming in for an interview and that they graduated from Kent State, I know they’re going to be a high-quality individual,” he explained. “I know the quality of work they produce, having gone through the same program.”  

Pavlak often takes the initiative to try and improve patient experiences with Akron Children’s. Several years ago, he presented an idea to reduce the number of patients who required sedation before an MRI. At the time, most patients under the age of seven required sedation for this procedure to ensure they held still enough for a successful image. While helpful, Pavlak explained that sedation can create its own set of challenges from increased appointment time to possible lingering side effects.  

Instead, he proposed implementing a specialized video goggle that would allow pediatric patients to watch movies. Much like tablets and other screens, Pavlak was confident this would capture the attention of the young children and keep them from wiggling during the procedure. It worked.  

“What we found is we were able to reduce our sedated age,” he said. “Typically, we don’t see many kids under the age of five that need sedation anymore when we're doing an MRI.”

As a supervisor, Pavlak feels a deep responsibility to his team and the children who come to them for care. He oversees all of radiology, including MRI, X-ray, CAT scan and ultrasound. He coordinates the work schedule, manages interpersonal issues, ensures technicians are up-to-date on new equipment and more.  

While he may not have much direct patient care these days, Pavlak still likes to create those connections when he can. That could mean coloring dinosaur pictures with a child while their sibling is having an MRI or connecting struggling families with resources like the Food Farmacy, where they can get groceries for their children, or the donor-funded Locker Room, where kids can get sports equipment to participate in activities despite their financial situation.

“Everybody is here for the same reason,” Pavlak said. “We’re here to take care of kids. We’re here for something greater than ourselves.”  

As a service desk analyst within Akron Children’s Information Services Division, Kayla Hodge plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the hospital’s technology works smoothly for the clinicians and staff who care for patients. A proud Kent State graduate with both an associate and bachelor’s degree in information technology, Hodge’s path to IT was unconventional and inspiring.

While working as a custodian in a factory in her early 20s, Hodge found herself drawn to the IT department. A kind analyst took her under his wing, sparking a curiosity that would eventually steer her from a criminal justice major to a thriving career in tech. 

Hodge chose �鶹���� at Trumbull for its flexibility and online offerings – critical for a working mom of two young children. “Kent State supports your growth no matter where you start in life,” she said. Though she studied remotely, she always felt part of the larger university family. “Even though all my classes were online, we just felt like one big family.”

At Akron Children’s, she and her 15-person team handle more than 100 calls a day, resolving log-in issues, software malfunctions, and more. “Even though I’m behind the scenes, I know that what I do is making someone’s day easier,” she said. Her work is central to the hospital’s mission, ensuring providers can access critical systems to deliver timely care. 

Looking ahead, Hodge plans to pursue a master’s in computer information systems at Kent State. She sees herself growing into a leadership role and continuing to help others thrive. For her, the Kent State motto, “Flashes Forever,” rings true: “When I think of Flashes Forever, I think of family. Family forever.” 

From Kent State to Akron Children’s  

While the clinicians who directly provide care to patients are often at the forefront when thinking of healthcare, Aurilio describes healthcare systems in Northeast Ohio, including Akron Children’s, as functioning like mini cities. There are other roles, such as information technology providers, accountants, community outreach coordinators and more that all come together to ensure that patients and their families have access to and receive compassionate, quality care.  

“Kent State is really providing and preparing the population of Northeast Ohio to serve a magnitude of roles,” said Aurilio. “And because Northeast Ohio’s industry is so strongly led by healthcare, the role that Kent State is playing to help fill all those roles is invaluable to our community.”  

As the nation faces a shortage of nurses, Kent State’s Regional Campuses play a unique role in preparing students throughout Northeast Ohio to care for friends and family in their hometowns. Through the combination of clinical rotations and the simulation labs at Kent State, nursing students gain experience in a practice setting but also have the opportunity to put their skills to the test in spontaneous human interactions at the bedside.

The accessibility and affordability of the Regional Campuses provides a pipeline for other health-focused careers, such as radiology technicians, allowing nontraditional students and those who are balancing work, life and academics to pursue their degrees.  

In addition to her role with Akron Children's, Aurilio is also an adjunct professor in Kent State’s College of Nursing, training the next generation of nurses and, perhaps, even her own future coworkers.  

“It’s been the absolute cherry on top of my career to be able to teach as an adjunct faculty at the College of Nursing and to actually teach future nurses and nursing administration skills at the graduate level,” Aurilio said. “I think of it as a pleasure to be able to impart some of the knowledge that I learned through my mentors and peers to new nurse leaders.”   

Alumni Across ACH Network  

Akron Children’s continues to expand well beyond the Greater Akron Area, spanning from Lake Erie down to the Ohio River and east to the Pennsylvania border. With such a significant geographic footprint and more than 1 million outpatient visits a year, it’s difficult to express the impact of Akron Children’s on the children and families it serves in Ohio and beyond. It is also the only pediatric provider in Northeast Ohio singularly focused on caring for children.  

“We are focused on kids 24/7/365,” Aurilio explained. “And because of that, there’s a noticeable difference in the way we approach the care of kids.”  

“I think Kent State graduates are really innovative and community-focused, and I think those are qualities we learn at Kent State,” Aurilio said. “Our professors foster that inquiry. They foster that critical thinking, and I think that translates to the setting in healthcare to always want to pursue what’s best and what’s better.”  

Kent State alumni account for nearly 10 percent of the total employee population at Akron Children’s.  

Through Kent State’s Regional Campus network, students can be trained right in their own communities, and with Akron Children's locations throughout the state, families also have the ability to receive exceptional care without having to travel long distances. That kind of access to both high-quality education and healthcare is critical for communities.  

“Within the Mahoning Valley, Akron Children’s has been a staple over the last decade. When you have a child that has an issue, an illness, a broken bone, you think about coming to Akron Children’s,” Pavlak said. “They specialize in kids, and it’s a major part of our community.”  

For Aurilio, this community impact is directly tied to the quality of education and training that Kent State provides to healthcare professionals.  

“I feel really secure in knowing that Akron Children's is doing a great job for patients because I know the kind of education that our staff have gotten and received from Kent State and that they are Flashes Forever. They’re carrying those values from Kent State forward into their care,” Aurilio said.  

Academic Pathways at Kent State  

Healthcare needs skilled professionals in every role. From patient care to technology, research and leadership, Kent State prepares students to excel in them all. With more than 75 health-related degree programs, students can match their passion to a path that fits their goals –  whether it’s caring for patients, improving systems, advancing research or strengthening communities. Kent State provides hands-on learning, dedicated faculty and strong partnerships with top hospitals, clinics, schools, community groups and healthcare organizations. Our graduates are making an impact in healthcare settings across the country and around the world, using the experience, mentorship and skills gained here to thrive in every corner of the field from the patient’s bedside to the boardroom.

Explore all of Kent State’s health-related programs: www.kent.edu/health-professions