Trinity Alumni: History of Success

Key Takeaways

• Trinity School of Medicine alumni have pursued residency training, fellowships, and careers across a wide range of specialties and healthcare settings.
• Dr. Allison Laffoon earned Intern of the Year during her general surgery residency, completed a Facial and Body Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship, and now practices as a cosmetic surgeon in Nashville.
• Trinity alumni have pursued a variety of paths after graduation, including Dr. Andrea Bodale and Dr. Matthew Barvo, who now work as hospitalists after completing their residency training. 
• Dr. Heather Dill has contributed to research and community health initiatives and now practices in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. 
• Many Trinity graduates return to mentor current students through webinars, White Coat Ceremonies, and hands-on skills training, reflecting the school's close-knit alumni community.

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Since Trinity School of Medicine was founded in 2008, our graduates have pursued careers across a wide range of medical specialties. Many alumni also remain involved with the Trinity community, returning to mentor students, participate in webinars and events, and share their experiences with future physicians. Below, we highlight several Trinity alumni and their accomplishments in medicine.

Trinity alumni have gone on to pursue residency training, fellowships, and careers in a wide range of specialties and healthcare settings across the United States and beyond. Their experiences demonstrate the many paths Trinity graduates have taken as they progress through medical training and into practice.

Dr. Allison Laffoon - Cosmetic Surgeon

One example of a Trinity alumna success story is Dr. Allison Laffoon’s medical journey. Dr. Laffoon completed her general surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, followed by a Facial & Body Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee. She is now a board-certified cosmetic surgeon at Marvel Cosmetic Surgery in Nashville and serves as Director of its Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship. Dr. Laffoon secured 1st place in the Intern Surgical Olympics and was awarded the Intern of the Year title. Her dedication to growth and improvement is evident in her achievement of the “Most Improved ABSITE score” among junior residents. Her outstanding abilities and commitment to her craft have been acknowledged through Aust Society Travel Scholarship Award and the Gold Humanism Award for teaching. Dr. Laffoon has served as a General Surgery Residency Council Member, a House Staff Council General Surgery Representative, and a Trauma Administrative Chief Resident. She also played a vital role in the Incoming Resident Selection Committee and the General Surgery Wellness Committee. Besides being actively involved in professional organizations, Dr. Laffoon has published several articles and is currently working on various projects in the medical field. Her publications include topics such as postpartum bowel perforation, hand surgery training pathways, and rare cases of diseases in adult patients. She continues to support the Trinity community by participating in webinars and teaching med students how to suture, and she returned to Trinity to share her words of wisdom at the 2023 September white coat ceremony.

Dr. Andrea Bodale - Hospitalist

Dr. Andrea Bodale completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she went on to serve as Chief Medical Resident. She now works as a hospitalist at TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. During her residency, she attended the AAFP National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Bodale has also remained involved with the Trinity community, participating as a speaker in a “From An Insider” webinar where she shared her journey with prospective students.

Dr. Matthew Barvo - Hospitalist

Dr. Matthew Barvo received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boise State University and his medical degree from Trinity School of Medicine. He is currently a hospitalist at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona. He is an advocate for the healthcare needs of people living in underserved communities, is an ACP Young Achiever, and earned Dean's List, Clerkship Honors, and Scholarships throughout medical school. Dr. Barvo’s medical interests include bedside medicine, point-of-care ultrasound, and management of patients suffering from gastrointestinal disease. He has over 35 publications and presentations in top medical journals, textbooks, and national conferences, and he offers mentorship to medical students interested in research. During his time at Trinity, he was a workshop instructor and created the Trinity Think Tank with Dr. Vincent Shieh, which is a student-run organization whose mission is to inspire student engagement in research and academic activities.

Dr. Heather Dill - Family Medicine Obstetrics Physician

After completing her Family Medicine residency at Northside Hospital-Gwinnett, Dr. Heather Dill continued her career in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. She currently serves as an attending physician at Floyd County Medical Center and Averra Medical Group. During her residency, Dr. Dill was one of 50 residents selected to present a research poster at the 2023 AAFP Student & Resident National Conference. She also participated in an initiative addressing flu vaccination disparities within the Hispanic community in Gwinnett County, Georgia, where 62 vaccinations were administered over four hours. Of those vaccinated, 35% had never previously received a flu vaccine. Dr. Dill has also remained involved with the Trinity community, returning to teach American Heart Association classes and helping students earn ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications.

Many Trinity alumni remain involved with the school after graduation, using their experience to support the next generation of medical students. Graduates have returned to participate in “From An Insider” webinars, speak at White Coat Ceremonies and student interest groups, teach clinical skills, and mentor current students. Their continued involvement gives students opportunities to learn from physicians who once stood in their shoes.

Trinity alumni exemplify Trinity School of Medicine’s vision of preparing educated, compassionate physicians. Their success in the field of medicine and active involvement in professional organizations reflect their dedication to delivering the highest quality patient-centered healthcare and transforming communities in greatest need. These distinguished Trinity graduates embody the values and mission of the school, making them a true reflection of Trinity’s vision to be a world leader in medical education. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all Trinity alumni that go above and beyond by inspiring our future medical professionals with their passion, journey, and insights. This is the Trinity family.