Behind the Scenes at TRIO: Meet the Staff

The Triological Society was founded more than 130 years ago with the mission of encouraging and assisting otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons and other healthcare professionals to develop, maintain, and enhance their knowledge and skills in their pursuit of improved patient care through education, research, and fellowship.

TRIO achieves its mission by sharing scientific information by offering presentations at scientific meetings, and publishing the latest research in its journals, The Laryngoscope and Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, and its news magazine, ENTtoday. The organization encourages research into the causes and treatments of otolaryngic diseases by attracting promising physicians to engage in scholarly research in otolaryngology. Additionally, TRIO provides financial support for the research efforts of young scientists and promotes the highest standards in the fields of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery.

None of this could happen without the support, knowledge, and experience of the staff working behind the scenes. Meet the people who make it happen.

Beth Faubel, Administrator

Beth oversees the organization’s daily operations and provides strategic and operational support across all facets of the Society. She manages and mentors a team of three staff members while serving as the primary liaison for all Society committees, ensuring alignment, communication, and progress on key initiatives. Beth joined the organization as administrator in 2021, bringing extensive meeting-planning and organizational expertise from her role as director of meetings at HIMSS, one of the largest healthcare IT conferences in the country.

She is responsible for financial oversight, including budget development and management, and supports governance functions by coordinating the executive committee and council activities. This includes preparing all materials and deliverables for council meetings to facilitate informed decision-making.

In addition to her work with the Triological Society, Beth serves as administrator for the Society of University Otolaryngologists (SUO), Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology (AADO), and Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization (OPDO), carrying out parallel responsibilities to ensure consistency and operational excellence across organizations.

She also acts as the central point of contact for external partners—including the meeting planner, accounting firm, marketing agency, and publisher—managing these relationships to support the Society’s mission and strategic goals.

Colleen Finnerman, Coordinator

Colleen plays a vital role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the Society, working closely with committees to ensure their initiatives move forward efficiently. She provides dedicated support to several working committees, with particular focus on the Thesis Committee, helping coordinate activities, communications, and deliverables.

Colleen also manages key meeting logistics for major events, including COSM and the Combined SUO, AADO, and OPDO annual meeting, ensuring seamless planning and execution. She has taken the Society’s meetings to the next level with her exceptional attention to detail, thoughtful planning, and professional oversight.

Colleen joined the organization in 2022, and works closely with Beth, serving as a trusted right hand and assisting with office management and a wide range of responsibilities that keep the Society operating smoothly and effectively.

Beth Slovinski, Coordinator

Beth plays an integral role in maintaining the Society’s digital infrastructure and supporting core operational functions across multiple organizations. She manages the websites and databases for the Society, SUO, AADO, and OPDO, ensuring accuracy, functionality, and seamless user experience.

She also oversees the collection of annual membership dues across all societies and coordinates the submission of continuing medical education (CME) applications for Society meetings. Beth leads the abstract submission process and works closely with podium and poster presenters.

In addition, Beth supports the grant application process by assisting with submissions, facilitating communication with reviewers, and serving as the initial point of contact for grant recipients. Through these efforts, she helps ensure the efficient execution of the Society’s educational, scientific, and administrative initiatives.

After more than 25 years of dedicated service as an administrative assistant and coordinator, Beth will transition to a part-time role in May and will officially retire in December 2026.

Beth has been an invaluable member of the Society staff and a trusted resource for staff, vendor partners, Fellows, and prospective members. The Society is deeply grateful for her commitment, strong work ethic, and willingness to take on new challenges, as well as for the humor she brought to work over the years.

Angel Alcazar, Membership and Program Specialist

Angel joined the Triological Society staff in March as membership and program specialist. He’s working with Beth through the transition, and he will assume her coordinator duties upon her retirement, to include management of the TRIO, SUO, AADO, and OPDO websites and databases, the collection of annual membership dues, coordination of the CME application process, and management of the lifecycle of abstract submissions—including communication with podium and poster presenters and development of the digital program.

He will support the Society’s research and education mission through administration of the grant application process, including coordinating submissions, and communicating with reviewers.

In addition, Angel will lead the execution of ELEVATE ENT, a strategic pathway initiative designed to support and engage future otolaryngology professionals. In this role, he will manage the end-to-end application and selection process, including refining application materials, coordinating reviews, and issuing acceptance notifications with detailed program logistics. Angel will provide ongoing support to pathway scholars and navigators, collaborate with faculty leads and vendors to develop and execute hands-on skills labs and career development programming, and oversee vendor communications and participant scheduling.

Angel brings 14 years of experience across healthcare, program development, higher education, business administration, and workforce development. In his work with TRIO thus far, he has demonstrated strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.