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 knew immediately after Dr. Brian Scansen posted the position that I wanted to apply to be a fellow in this field. The idea of using what I have learned to help advance the field of interventional cardiology and promote the development of clinicians who wish to gain expertise in the field is something I take great pride in. I look forward to continuing to see the ACVIM fellowships grow and develop and try to keep pace with that of human medical training and education.
What do you see as the advantage(s) of ACVIM-approved Fellowship Programs/fellowship-level training as a whole?
These programs allow clinicians to gain and use specific areas of expertise to be able to help patients, clients, and veterinary professionals. We can continue to push the envelope and help those animals that historically might not have had options. In addition, these programs can allow the development of strong collaborative clinical and research relationships with physicians and research communities.
Were there any specific challenges you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?
After the fellowship, I had to maintain the confidence to perform advanced intervention while training house officers to do the same. I had to trust in the training and skills that I gained along the way, and was lucky to have received incredible mentorship and guidance that made this possible.
What advice do you have for those aspiring to become ACVIM Fellows?
I highly recommend it if the opportunity presents itself! One to two years of a fellowship goes by fast. I love what I do and am grateful for the opportunity to continue to advance and better the veterinary profession.
