Meet Our Team

A Coordinated Approach to Care

It takes more than just the surgical procedure for a patient to achieve his or her weight loss goals. The multidisciplinary team at the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center focuses on you and your individual needs. Our team includes behavioral health experts, internists, surgeons, registered dietitians and support staff to help achieve the most successful outcomes.

The surgical weight loss team works closely with patients before, during and after the surgery to develop an individualized plan. The team also meets weekly to discuss each patient's stauts and make sure they are on track to meet their goals.

The staff at the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center also understands the importance of emotional support and education. We can connect our patients with other patients going through the same experiences to provide informational and emotional support.

Tom Sonnanstine, M.D.

Tom Sonnanstine, M.D., is the medical director of the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center, performs weight loss surgery at the St. Luke Hospitals. Dr. Sonnanstine is Northern Kentucky’s first board certified surgeon who is fellowship trained in minimally invasive bariatric surgery. Originally from Marion, Ohio, Dr. Sonnanstine trained under one of the top five bariatric surgeons in the country during his fellowship at Tuft’s-New England Medical Center, a preeminent center for bariatric surgery.

Dr. Sonnanstine has proven experience in laparoscopic weight loss surgery, having performed nearly 400 laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures, over 50 laparoscopic LAP-Band® procedures and nearly 50 revisional bariatric surgeries. In addition, his patients have seen significant outcomes. Approximately 75 - 80 percent of his patients have lost more than 70 percent of their excess body weight after surgery.

Not only does Dr. Sonnanstine have proven experience performing weight loss surgery, but he is also dedicated to developing a relationship with his patients for life. Weight loss surgery is a lifestyle commitment, so even after the surgery is complete, Dr. Sonnanstine will continue to see patients as necessary.

Board Certified by The American Board of Surgery, he is an associate member of The American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Sonnanstine served his residency in general surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus where he was appointed chief resident. He achieved his medical doctorate degree at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and graduated cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Dr. Sonnanstine also conducted research at these institutions as well as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and he has given several lectures to fellow physicians.

Dr. Sonnanstine resides in Hebron, Kentucky with his wife Deborah and two children. He has a deep interest in international affairs and enjoys computers and weight lifting. A varsity football and track athlete in college, Dr. Sonnanstine earned All-Conference recognition for two years in track.

Beth Taschuk, R.D.

Beth Taschuk, R.D. is the professional nutrition counselor before, during and after weight loss surgery at the St. Luke Hospitals. Beth is a registered, licensed dietitian since 1996 and an associate of The St. Luke Hospitals since 1997. She completed her undergraduate degree at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio and completed her internship at Mt. Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

Her professional experience includes clinical dietetics for long term and acute care facilities; Clinical Nutrition Coordinator for The St. Luke Hospitals; and currently the clinical dietitian for the new Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center. Beth is certified in Adult Weight Management, which enables her to pursue her passion for the bariatric population.

Professional organizations include membership in The American Dietetic Association (ADA), Greater Cincinnati Dietetic Association, Clinical Nutrition Managers Practice Group, Weight Management Practice Group and the Bariatric Subgroup, and A.S.P.E.N. (American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition). Beth is looking forward to building a lifelong partnership with her patients in the weight loss center.

Beth was born in Dayton, Ohio, and currently resides with her husband Dave in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lisa West-Smith, Ph.D.

Lisa West-Smith, Ph.D., L.C.S.W. is the behavioral health expert on Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center team. Dr. West-Smith is a licensed psychotherapist who brings to the program more than 15 years of experience in clinical practice and publication in the field of weight management, body image and eating disorder recovery. Since her first position as a behavioral counselor in a St. Luke Hospital weight management program in 1989, Dr. West-Smith has provided individual, group and family psychotherapy in private practice and hospital settings; conducted interdisciplinary research on body image transformation; published journal articles and provided academic presentations in professional conferences all across the US.

Dr. West-Smith is licensed at the highest level for the independent practice of psychotherapy as a clinical social worker in Ohio and Kentucky, and she is
a member of the National Association of Social Workers and an associate member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Her academic background includes a BA in Psychology from Northern Kentucky University, a MSW from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from the Union Institute and University. Dr. West-Smith's primary area of focus in clinical practice is body image and eating disorder recovery.

In addition to her current work with patients in the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center, Dr. West-Smith maintains a busy private psychotherapy practice in Florence, Kentucky where she provides individual, group and family counseling for people with eating problems including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and obesity. Dr. West-Smith previously served as an Adjunct Professor for Indiana University East and as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Cincinnati where she developed and taught undergraduate courses on body image and eating disorders. In community service Dr. West-Smith provides clinical supervision for Kentucky-certified social workers; provides practicum supervision for graduate students in the MSW program at the University of Kentucky; and serves as a board member on both the Grant County Board of Health and the Northern Kentucky Independent District Board of Health.

Dr. West-Smith resides in Williamstown, Kentucky with her husband Mickey. They are the proud parents of three vibrant daughters. Dr. West-Smith is an avid long distance runner who also greatly enjoys design, the outdoors, music and spending time with family and friends.

Taryn Harney, R.N.

Taryn Harney, R.N., is the clinical coordinator at the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center. Taryn has been a registered nurse since 1999 and an associate of The St. Luke Hospital West since 1999. She completed her nursing degree at Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Her professional experience includes being a staff nurse and a clinical coordinator on a medical surgical unit. She is currently the clinical coordinator for the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center.

Taryn was born in Secaucus, New Jersey and currently resides in Burlington Kentucky with her husband and two children.

Contact Us

• For more information about the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center at The St. Luke Hospitals, please call 859-212-GOAL.
• Dr. Sonnanstine can be reached by email: SonnanTE@Healthall.com
• For information about The St. Luke Hospitals Weight Treatment Services, please call 859-212-5673.

Know someone who wants to lose weight?

Are you ready to start the new year off with a new look? For some people who are overweight, dieting and exercising just don’t work. Is weight loss surgery the solution? Come find out more at the FREE information sessions with leading bariatric surgeon Tom Sonnanstine, M.D. of the Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center at The St. Luke Hospitals.

Registration is required. Please call 859-212-4625. Space is limited, so make your reservation now! Information sessions are held the first Thursday of each month.

To make an appointment for a consultation, call 859-212-GOAL.