He completed his general surgical internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Tolin was recognized by the Orthopaedic faculty at Penn with the DeForest P. Willard Award, given for the outstanding performance during his residency. He was a fellow in basic science research at the McKay Laboratories of Orthopaedic Research at Penn, specifically investigating cartilage cells. After completing his residency training, Dr. Tolin spent an additional year as a sports medicine and arthroscopy fellow with the Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI), specializing in arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, knee, and ankle.

Dr. Tolin has been actively involved in the education and research of knee and shoulder problems. He has published articles, textbook chapters, and has lectured at national orthopaedic meetings. Dr. Tolin is active in sports medicine on the community level, acting as the team physician for Smithson Valley High School and orthopaedic consultant for The University of Texas at San Antonio. He has been the co-team doctor for Trinity University and the Houston Oilers summer training camps in San Antonio. He has been named one of the best doctors in San Antonio, listed as "Texas Superdoctor" by Texas Monthly Magazine, and one of "America's Top Surgeons."