Kursten Pierce, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), FACVIM (Interventional Cardiology) is an Assistant Professor of Cardiology at North Carolina State University. She earned her veterinary degree from Western University of Health Sciences. After graduation, she completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center followed by a cardiology residency at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and became Board-certified in cardiology with the ACVIM. After her residency, Dr. Pierce started a cardiology service in a private practice setting prior to completing a two-year Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Colorado State University. Her professional interests include congenital heart disease, exotic animal cardiology, radiation safety, and minimally invasive fluoroscopically guided interventions. She is passionate about delivering high-quality, patient care and mentoring the next generation of Veterinary Cardiologists.
What drove you to want to become a Fellow of the ACVIM? Is there a story or experience that stands out in your mind that reaffirmed your decision to follow this path?
It was during my cardiology residency that my passion for interventional procedures developed. The more hands-on experience I gained, the more I realized how rewarding it was to directly intervene via a blood vessel and improve an animal’s heart disease. Correcting or palliating life-limiting conditions with catheters, guidewires, and devices is both technically challenging and deeply fulfilling, as it can significantly improve an animal’s quality of life and survival.
After completing my residency, I worked at a private practice specialty hospital. Although it was a worthwhile experience, I missed the cath lab and the unique challenges of interventional procedures. That’s when I attended Dr. Brian Scansen’s ACVIM course on interventional cardiology. The course reignited my passion for procedures and reaffirmed my desire to deepen my expertise in this field. During this course, I learned about the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at Colorado State University and I knew it was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in advanced techniques and cutting-edge procedures. It was clear that this fellowship would allow me to refine my skills, work with world-class mentors, and provide the highest level of care to my patients while gaining the expertise needed to train future cardiologists.
What do you see as the advantage(s) of ACVIM-approved Fellowship Programs/fellowship-level training as a whole?
ACVIM-approved Fellowship Programs offer the chance to really dive deep within a focused area of a specialty. As a resident, you get exposure to the full scope of cardiology, but a fellowship lets you hone in on specific, advanced areas of the field. For me, that meant gaining extensive hands-on experience in interventional cardiology, which is what I’m most passionate about. These programs allow you to work closely with leaders in the field, develop technical skills, and participate in complex procedures that aren't always accessible in residency. Beyond the procedural training, fellowships also prepare specialists to teach, mentor, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the profession. What makes these programs so valuable is their emphasis on excellence and their role in supporting a deep commitment to the highest standards of clinical practice, innovation, and patient care.
Were there any specific challenges you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?
Making the leap from private practice to a fellowship was a big transition, especially after leading my own clinical cardiology service. Returning to a trainee mindset and relocating across the country was certainly daunting at first. The fellowship came with some long days and emotionally challenging cases. As clinicians, it’s never easy when we can’t save a patient; however, those cases stay with you and often shape you the most. While successful outcomes are deeply rewarding, it's the difficult cases that push us to reflect, grow, and refine our practice. Every procedure and patient I encountered during the fellowship reaffirmed why I’m passionate about this field. Despite the challenges, the long-term rewards, both professionally and personally, far outweighed the short-term sacrifices.
What advice do you have for those aspiring to become ACVIM Fellows?
Fellowship training is truly a life-changing experience. You’ll see complex cases, perform advanced procedures, and work alongside experts who are deeply passionate about their specialty. For me, being immersed in a collaborative, forward-thinking heart team was incredibly inspiring. The hands-on exposure to interventional and hybrid procedures, CT angiography, and open heart surgeries gave me a level of experience I couldn’t have gained anywhere else. It pushed me to grow not just as a clinician, but also as a future mentor and educator. So my advice? Go for it! It’s one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll make in your career.
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