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?
I greatly valued my residency training at Colorado State University, where I developed a strong interest in pursuing a career in academic cardiology. In addition to this academic focus, I found cardiac catheterization and interventional procedures to be particularly compelling and recognized that these would be essential components of my future clinical practice and research. When the fellowship opportunity became available, it represented a natural and logical progression in my training, offering the opportunity to further develop expertise in interventional cardiology while gaining experience as an attending cardiologist in the clinical setting and contributing to didactic instruction.
What do you see as the advantage(s) of ACVIM-approved Fellowship Programs/fellowship-level training as a whole?
The fellowship provides a structured pathway for advanced training beyond residency, allowing individuals to function as specialists while continuing to benefit from mentorship within an academic environment. It also offers established specialists the opportunity to pursue further subspecialized training within their area of expertise. As more fellows are trained, these programs will contribute to the continued advancement of the standard of care in veterinary medicine, ultimately benefiting both patients and future trainees.
Were there any specific challenges you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?
Although I did not encounter any major challenges during my fellowship, the final year prompted a period of meaningful reflection as I considered the next step in my career. The fellowship helped me gain a deeper appreciation for the opportunities for teaching, mentorship, and clinical practice available within academia. I also recognized that an academic environment offers the greatest access to advanced technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research opportunities.
What advice do you have for those aspiring to become ACVIM Fellows?
This is an exciting and transformative time in veterinary medicine, with many disease processes for which expanded procedural options are needed and a growing demand for specialists committed to advancing the field. The fellowship was highly influential in shaping my professional development and played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for my early career. For ACVIM diplomates considering fellowship training, a fellowship can offer a unique opportunity to deepen subspecialty expertise and meaningfully shape long-term career direction.
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