Christine Gauthier, RN
Christine has worked as a RN for 37 years with a focus on vascular access during the majority of her career. She graduated with honors from Mt. Carmel School of Nursing in Columbus Ohio and has worked in various nursing roles including Intensive Care, Cardiac Care, IV Therapy and Infusion Therapy but has found Sclerotherapy to be her passion.
She has worked with Dr. Cunningham and has been performing surface vein sclerotherapy since 2017. Christine enjoys the personal relationships she develops with her patients as she provides educational support and treatments throughout their vein therapies. When away from the clinic Christine enjoys traveling, dabbling in cooking and time with her ever growing family, including her two kitty cats Bella and Buddy.
Ava-Ziva Foo, BS, RVT, RPhS
Ava-Ziva is a Registered Vascular Technologist and Registered Phlebology Sonographer, with 13 years of experience. She graduated from Barry University with a bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in 2007. In conjunction with her bachelor’s degree, Ava-Ziva also attended the Florida Institute of Ultrasound, where she obtained training in OB/GYN, abdominal, vascular, and cardiac sonography.
Upon graduating from the ultrasound program, Ava-Ziva began her career as a traveling sonographer based out of Memphis. She then continued on to further her career at a vascular lab in Poughkeepsie, NY. She now resides in Columbia, TN and has been working with Dr. Cunningham since 2015, focusing on venous insufficiency imaging and the treatment of chronic venous disease.
When not in clinic, Ava-Ziva will be on some kind of adventure, whether it be kayaking down the Duck River with her young son, or embarking on a culinary experience with her loved ones.
AUSTYN WHALEY, BS, RDMS
Austyn is in her third year as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. She was a softball scholarship recipient at Middle Tennessee State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in 2017. In addition, she attended and graduated from South College in Nashville in 2019 where she earned an Associate degree in Ultrasonography.
Austyn has acquired extensive training in abdominal scans, breast imaging and vascular sonography. Since joining Dr. Cunningham and his amazing team in June 2022, she has furthered her knowledge and experience in the treatment of venous disease by performing vein mapping, thermal ablations and foam sclerotherapy.
When not at Trident Vein Center, Austyn enjoys spending time outdoors and serving as an assistant coach for the Page High School softball team. You can find her camping, enjoying spending time with her family and spoiling her fur baby, Tex.
LEXI SHIMP, RVS
Lexi is a Registered Vascular Sonographer with 6+ years of experience in Venous Disease diagnostics and treatment. She graduated in 2015 from West Coast Ultrasound Institute in Phoenix, Arizona with a degree in Diagnostic medical Sonography which then led her into her career as a vascular technologist traveling to vein centers throughout Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego to assist in ultrasound guided procedures.
She recently moved to Tennessee in September 2022 from Arizona to be closer to her parents and immediate family who reside in Knoxville, TN. Outside of work you can find Lexi working on her fitness, exploring different restaurants and things to do around Nashville, hiking, dancing or just relaxing at home with her dog and kitten.
MADI LOZA, CMA
Madi is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant with 16 years of experience in the Medical Field. Madi has worked in several specialties; such as Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Cardiology and Urgent Care. She has recently moved to what she calls “The beautiful state of Tennessee”, where she has been given the opportunity to join the Trident Vein Center team in 2022.
When not in clinic, Madi enjoys adventures with her three kiddos, photography, and church on Sundays
Marta Rodriguez, CCMA/ LPN
Marta is bilingual in Spanish and English. She graduated as an LPN in 1996 from the Florencia Nightingale Institute, and worked at Baptist Hospital in El Salvador for 3 years. In 2000, she emigrated to the United States and attended the Institute Health Career in Murfreesboro, where she obtained her CCMA as well as her phlebotomist technician certification in 2013.
Marta has been working with Dr. Cunningham since 2015. She has been an asset to Dr. Cunningham’s Spanish speaking patients, by translating and assisting with thermal ablation procedures. Aside from work, Marta is involved with church activities, traveling with her husband and daughter, and spending time with her fur-babies.
DAWN MULLEN
Dawn Mullen began her healthcare career 13 years ago in the urology field as a patient care coordinator before turning to the vascular field. She is very knowledgeable in the insurance world and loves developing relationships with the patients.
When she is away from the clinic, Dawn loves spending time with her husband, son and two golden retrievers. She also enjoys having a fun karaoke night with friends. Dawn is also an avid fan of Green Bay Packers football. GO PACK GO!
Erin Ross, “Chief of Making it Happen”
There’s not quite a title that encompasses everything Erin does at Trident Vein Center. From greeting and scheduling patients, taking care of all your insurance needs, managing day to day operations, and ensuring every aspect of the clinic truly embodies Trident Vein Center core values. This is why Chief of Making it Happen is so fitting.
Erin brings more than 15 years of managerial and administrative experience to her role. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, and a minor in Communications. In 2005, she began her career as an account manager for a marketing and graphic design company. She moved to Nashville and transitioned to healthcare in 2010, where she worked in the orthopedic department at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Erin has been working alongside Dr. Cunningham since 2012, managing and overseeing all aspects of office operations. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting Arrington Vineyards as well as exploring Nashville's culinary scene with her husband. With a love for the outdoors, Erin has competed in several sprint triathlons, enjoys camping and frequents the beautiful Radnor Lake trails with her husband and their young children.
