First-Generation Medical Student Aims to Improve the Health of Ohioans

First-Generation Medical Student Aims to Improve the Health of Ohioans

Matthew Folkman was raised in Chardon, a small town near Cleveland, where he saw the need for compassionate care, inspiring him to pursue a career in healthcare.

"My goal has been and always will be to stay in Ohio," Folkman said. "This is my home and it's really important to me to give back."

On Friday, May 15, Matthew Folkman will walk across the commencement stage to receive his doctor of medicine degree from The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

With an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology from Ohio University, Folkman began his medical school journey at UToledo in fall 2022. He was driven to make a meaningful difference in people's lives, ultimately finding his passion for medicine.

"I got engaged with all the parts of being a physician," he said. "The branches of the team and just seeing the impact you can make on people's lives."

Folkman was drawn to the community of Toledo, which mirrored his hometown.

"The camaraderie and the culture of UToledo really stood out to me," he said. "I think having all of the different specialties and rotations that we offer was something that I found to be really valuable."

He also found strong mentorship with UToledo faculty.

"The faculty here genuinely care about students," he said. "They know you on a first-name basis, know who you are, they remember you and they want to see you succeed."

Folkman rotated through various specialties, but found orthopaedic surgery was the perfect fit.

"I felt like I was at home and that was the best feeling," he said. "After that I was like, this is it. There's nothing else I'd rather do."

Dr. Chris G. Sanford, program director and associate professor for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, said Folkman is a passionate and driven student.

"Matthew approaches each patient in the clinic and operating room with enthusiasm," Sanford said, "a desire to learn, and a genuine interest to provide the best care possible to our population. His passion for medicine and orthopaedics is evident, and I believe he will thrive in residency and beyond."

Folkman found many ways to get involved at UToledo and give back to the community during his studies. He volunteered at the CommunityCare Clinic and served on its board of directors as the director of medical procedures, citing the clinic's ability to provide over $4 million of care in northwest Ohio on a $60,000 budget.

He completed multiple research projects but found his study on preference signaling for orthopaedic residency programs for The Match to be most impactful.

"It was a study that I designed on my own," he said. "Dr. Sanford allowed me the autonomy to design my own study, making a deep impact on me and my career."

On Match Day 2026, Folkman matched into orthopaedic surgery at The University of Toledo and will begin his residency on Wednesday, July 1. He explained how important it was to match into a program in Ohio.

"I knew that I wanted to stay in Ohio," he said. "It was really important to me to give back to a community similar to where I grew up."

His advice for future healthcare Rockets is simple: pursue your passion.

"Regardless of whether you're going to be a doctor, a nurse, a physical therapist, PA or anything else," he said. "We need people who are passionate about caring for other people. We need people who are passionate about this field and who want to help our community grow."