Celebrating Veterinary Cardiology: Dr Elizabeth Bode BVSc DipECVIM-CA PhD FHEA FRCVS

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This February the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association are celebrating alumni who are passionate about veterinary cardiology. We caught up with alumna Dr Liz Bode (BVSc 2006), EBVS® European specialist in small animal cardiology and RCVS specialist in veterinary cardiology.

Did anyone inspire you while you were a student?

When I was a student I absolutely loved my internal medicine and cardiology rotations, and my inspirations were Jo Dukes-McEwan, Simon Swift and PJ Noble. I was honoured to work with both Jo and PJ again when I became a senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool in 2017.

When did you know you were interested in cardiology?

I knew I loved medicine, and in particular cardiology, when I was a student in my final year rotations. At that time, I wanted to be an equine vet, but my passion for small animal cardiology grew post-graduation and my PhD in excitation-contraction coupling at the University of Manchester really inspired me to continue in the field of cardiology. I was lucky enough to spend some time in general practice as well as undertaking a rotating internship at the University of Cambridge in 2008.

Following my PhD, I completed a residency in cardiology at the University of Edinburgh. Since then, I have been a senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool and have started my own business in the Veterinary Thought Exchange. I am also now Clinical Director at Chestergates Veterinary Specialists, where I divide my time between cardiology and management. I absolutely love it; we have a fantastic team.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Never give up! The route to specialist status can be challenging and you need resilience, determination and dedication. It is worth it when you get there.

What is your top tip for cardiology in first opinion practice?

If you master one thing in cardiology let that be the thoracic point-of-care ultrasound; it will really help you out in many situations.

How can alumni follow what you're doing?

You can follow me on any social media platforms associated with Chestergates Veterinary Specialists or the Veterinary Thought Exchange, where we post frequent clinical cases and top tips.

Thank you, Liz, for helping us celebrate veterinary cardiology and our alumni community!

Have you got an update you would like to share with your fellow alumni? Send your updates to ulvaa@liverpool.ac.uk.