Trinity’s History of Success: Highlighting 5 Inspirational Trinity Alumni
Since being founded in 2008, Trinity School of Medicine has continued to create successful, skilled physicians whose passion for medicine has driven them to become great models for the new generation of medical students.
Trinity alumni have shown nothing but gratitude and love for the med school that helped them get to where they are now, so much so that they keep coming back for more! Below, we will highlight some success stories from alumni who have shown that with their dedication to medicine and Trinity’s support, anything is possible.
It is important to note that Trinity School of Medicine alumni have been able to attain residencies, and fellowships or are in practice at some of the top hospitals ranked by the U.S. News & World Report. This further proves that becoming a Trinity medical student means you can be a successful physician at any top-tier hospital, such as Johns Hopkins like Dr. Vincent Shieh, Duke University like Dr. Sujatha Cumaran, and many more! If you are part of the 60% of applicants (or 80% if in Canada) that have been rejected from a U.S. or Canadian medical school, Trinity is a great alternative that can help turn your dream of becoming a physician into reality. Like Dr. Danhely Cruz-Vasquez, a Trinity alumna, once said: “I didn’t think I was ever going to have a white coat ceremony. I didn’t get accepted into a U.S. medical school…but then Trinity fell into my lap, opened the doors, and gave me the opportunity to go into medical school and be where I am now.” Watch the full video (1 minute)
Dr. Gbemisola Johnson
Family Medicine Chief Resident
When people think of the qualities that make an excellent physician, they may not think of artistic talent. Dr. Gbemisola Johnson reminds us that passion for art and healing can coexist to produce an outstanding doctor. From her early days as a health science student to her current role as a Family Medicine physician, she has consistently blended creativity with compassion. Besides creating beautiful artwork, her typical day is filled with physicals, sick visits, pre-op clearances, or some quick procedures, such as inserting birth control, injecting and aspirating joints, removing soft tissue masses, and performing full-body skin biopsies to name a few.
Dr. Johnson is a mixed-media visual artist and a Family Medicine physician exploring the benefits of merging her two worlds. She’s currently on a journey to incorporate arts in medicine in both the inpatient world and everyday life. She is conducting research that can prove the correlation between decreasing stress levels and participating in art therapy. Through her business, Created by Sola, she is making art accessible and fun by providing art therapy kits for people to destress at home and on the go. She states, “Art is medicine whether it’s through creation or admiration. I am here to show you how to maximize your health in the most holistic way!” To read her spotlight, click here.
We’re thankful to Dr. Gbemisola Johnson for her dedication to medicine, participating in Trinity webinars to guide her Trinity underclassmen, and becoming the keynote speaker at the 2024 September White Coat Ceremony.
Dr. Allison Laffoon
Facial & Body Cosmetic Attending
Another great example of a Trinity alum success story is shown by Dr. Allison Laffoon’s medical journey. Dr. Laffoon completed her residency as a General Surgery Resident at the University of Texas Health Science Center and has recently also completed a Facial & Body Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has decided to stay as an attending. Her typical day is filled with purely elective aesthetic procedures, such as breast augmentation and reduction, tummy tucks, liposuctions, and even gender-affirming care. Her picture was recently displayed in a magazine for working at Marvel Cosmetic Surgery.
Besides being actively involved in professional organizations like the American Society of Cosmetic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association, Dr. Laffoon has published several articles and is currently working on various projects in the medical field, some of which she is collaborating with Trinity students as well as residents from her residency program. Currently, she is the President of the Alumni Association at Trinity and is mentoring several medical students while they get through the rigors of medical school. To read her spotlight, click here.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Allison Laffoon for graciously accepting the role of keynote speaker at the 2023 September White Coat Ceremony, for being the President of Trinity’s Alumni Association, and for inspiring our future medical professionals with her passion, journey, and insights.
Dr. Sean Dodenhoff
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Sean Dodenhoff is a proud alumnus of Trinity School of Medicine. He recently completed his residency at Wesley Medical Center in Kansas, where he also celebrated becoming a new father with the birth of his son, Wesley. Following his residency, Dr. Dodenhoff has become adept at managing various chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, and arthritis. He has received extensive training in advanced procedures and now performs a range of treatments, such as joint aspiration and injection, skin lesion biopsy and removal, toenail removal, and Nexplanon and IUD insertion and removal.
Having recently obtained his California medical license, Dr. Dodenhoff is excited to return to his home state, where he practices Family Medicine in Fair Oaks. We are proud of Dr. Dodenhoff not only for his skills as a physician but also for his dedication to listening to his patients’ concerns, creating personalized treatment plans, and empowering them to take an active role in their health. To read his spotlight, click here.
Dr. Heather Dill
Family Medicine Resident
Recently, Trinity graduate Dr. Heather Dill was honored with the Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This prestigious award is given to only 12 residents each year! The AAFP Foundation promotes family medicine through philanthropy and supports initiatives that enhance health through humanitarian, educational, and scientific programs. They noted that these 12 residents were recognized for their outstanding patient care, strong relationships with patients and colleagues, and their leadership and community engagement. These individuals are truly leaders in healthcare.
Currently, Dr. Dill is a Family Medicine Resident at Northside Hospital, where she has developed a passion for labor and delivery, including C-sections, as well as infant and childcare, and promoting health screenings and vaccinations. She devotes her free time to her nonprofit, Uniting Hearts & Hands, which utilizes the American Heart Association’s guidelines to provide free cardiopulmonary resuscitation classes to expecting mothers, their families, and youth programs to help reduce childhood mortality. After completing her residency, Dr. Dill accepted a position at the Columbia Basin Health Association in Othello, Washington, serving an underserved rural community with a focus on broad-spectrum obstetrics. To read her spotlight, click here.
In addition to assisting our students in obtaining ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications, we are grateful to Dr. Heather Dill for her commitment to medicine, her efforts to raise awareness through resuscitation classes, and her continued support for underserved communities.
Dr. Gianna Guzzardo Valenti
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow
Meet Dr. Gianna Guzzardo, a current fourth-year Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Vice President of Trinty’s Alumni Association. Dr. Valenti recently won the 2024 Wolf W. Zuelzer Fellowship Research Competition where she talked about the sickle cell mechanisms of activation, adhesion, rheology, and thrombosis in response to p-selectin inhibition. Once she finishes up her fellowship in December, she hopes to stay at the same institution as an attending physician to be able to participate in patient care and focus on her research. Her ultimate career goal is to apply for NIH funding or an early career K23 program for a more clinical research-focused position.
Currently, her typical week consists of one clinic day and four days to do admin and research-related tasks. In the clinic, she has seen routine oncology patients, off-therapy patients, new consults, sickle-cell patients, and hemophilia bleeding patients. She also participates in comprehensive clinics for bleeding disorders, heavy menstrual bleeding, oncology, and adolescent medicine, among others. Although being in Pediatric HemOnc can be sad and difficult at times, she’s excited to continue her research efforts and be part of a very dynamic and evolving field that is becoming more precise and patient-focused. To read her spotlight, click here.
We are grateful to have Dr. Gianna Valenti as part of the Trinity family as she continues to make a difference in pediatric care with her resilience, research, and commitment to improving the lives of young patients.
Trinity alumni love being part of the Trinity family. Graduates have come back to Trinity to use what they have learned to help the new generation of Trinity med students. Whether it be by taking part in a “From An Insider” webinar, sharing their valuable words of wisdom during the white coat ceremony, becoming a speaker at one of Trinity’s interest groups, or helping students receive certifications or new skills, Trinity alumni have proven to go above and beyond expectations. They know what it is like to be a new student in the field of medicine and have graciously become mentors for their younger peers.
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 who go above and beyond by inspiring our future medical professionals with their passion, journey, and insights. This is the Trinity family.
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