A 17 month completely online, comprehensive program that covers all aspects of cardiology.
The Cardiology Online Learning program will address the fundamentals of underlying cardiac disease, discuss the presentations of cardiac disease and thoroughly review current diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. You will learn the latest information on commonly utilised diagnostic procedures, practical electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation, film reading and hands-on echocardiography.
The Cardiology Program is a completely online offering – designed for veterinarians interested in and aiming to pursue post-graduate qualifications in Cardiology.
This global program has been developed by a team of registered specialists and covers all aspects of cardiology. The comprehensive teaching materials and interactive format allow you to gain knowledge, skills and build an informed clinical approach to your patients.
Each of 14 modules in the program is supported by a specialist tutor – to answer questions and support you on your learning journey.
Cardiology Online Learning is accredited by the International School of Post Graduate Studies (ISVPS) as a training program for the General Practitioner Certificate in Cardiology.
*All registration fees for ISVPS are included in the course fees for this program
This is the only accredited path for GPCert in Cardiology in Australia and New Zealand, allowing delegates to achieve a recognised post-nominal qualification, no matter where in the world they study.
Confidently investigate, diagnose and
treat your cardiac patients
* Option to enrol in 3 additional practical modules in 2025 – see here for more information.
Register your interest to receive Cardiology Online Learning Program updates.
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This program has been approved for 140 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognise RACE approval.
May 2024
Module Speaker:
Yolanda Martínez Pereira DVM CertVC DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) SFHEA MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
June 2024
Module Speaker:
Yolanda Martínez Pereira DVM CertVC DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) SFHEA MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
July 2024
Module Speaker:
João Neves DVM MRCVS DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology)
Key learning objectives:
September 2024
Module Speaker:
Pedro Oliveira DVM MRCVS DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology)
Key learning objectives:
October 2024
Module Speaker:
Lance Visser DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Key learning objectives:
November 2024
Module Speaker:
Elizabeth Bode BVSc PhD DipECVIM-CA(Cardio) FHEA MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
January 2025
Module Speaker:
Hannah Stephenson BVMS (Hons) CertSAM DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
February 2025
Module Speaker:
Simon Swift MA, VetMB, CertSAC, DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology), MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
March 2025
Module Speaker:
Ilaria Spalla DVM PhD MRCVS MVetMed DACVIM DECVIM
Key learning objectives:
April 2025
Module Speaker:
Simon Swift MA, VetMB, CertSAC, DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology), MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
May 2025
Module Speaker:
Brian Scansen DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Key learning objectives:
June 2025
Module Speaker:
Valentina Palermo RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology
Key learning objectives:
July 2025
Module Speakers:
Sid Sudunagunta BVetMed CertAVP(VC) AHEA DipECVIM-CA(Cardiology)
Key learning objectives:
September 2025
Module Speaker:
João Neves DVM MRCVS DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology)
Key learning objectives:
Yolanda obtained her degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1998 in Spain and after a period in general practice she completed an internship in cardiology obtaining the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology (2004). From 2005-2008 she completed a residency in Cardiopulmonary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a year in the Cardiology Service at the University of Liverpool as a Clinician/Teacher. During 2009-2012, she joined Borders Veterinary Cardiology Ltd, providing mobile cardiology referral service in Scotland. She returned to the Royal (Dick) School for Veterinary Studies in 2013 as a lecturer in Cardiopulmonary Medicine, heading the service. She obtained her European Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology in 2009 and became RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology in 2011.
Pedro qualified from Porto University (Portugal) in 2005 and obtained the ECVIM-CA cardiology diploma in 2012. He worked in a number of European referral centres before joining Davies Veterinary Specialists (DVS) in October 2012 where he established an electrophysiology laboratory for the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. He also works as a consultant for IDEXX Telemedicine in the US and Virtual Veterinary Specialists in the UK. He authored the book Guide to Canine and Feline Electrocardiography, published by Wiley in 2018.
EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology, RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology Hannah graduated from Glasgow in 2005 and after a short time in mixed practice, she undertook a rotating internship at the RVC. From here she moved to Liverpool, completing a year of research in to the genetics of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, followed by a residency in cardiology, leading to her obtaining the ECVIM Diploma in Cardiology in 2012. Hannah enjoys teaching (cardiology - she is less enthusiastic about home schooling), having been a lecturer for a time at Liverpool university, and regularly providing CPD across the country. Hannah now juggles life on a farm with 3 small children, with the demands of a busy, peripatetic cardiology referral service in the North West of England. When she has time she enjoys reading and growing, cooking and eating food.
Dr Spalla studied veterinary medicine at the University of Milan and attended her last university year at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) as an Erasmus exchange student. She received her veterinary degree from the University of Milan in 2010. She then enrolled in a one year internship program at the Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, with Dr Claudio Bussadori as supervisor. She was offered a PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the University of Milan, focused on advanced echocardiography and was awarded her PhD in 2014. She started an ACVIM residency at the Royal Veterinary College in London in London in 2015. She obtained board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2018 and European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2019. She also successfully completed a Master degree in Veterinary Medicine (MVetMed) by the University of London in 2018. She is currently working in a private specialty practice in Italy, whilst keeping awake her interest for clinical investigation as well as providing telemedicine support. When she is not working, Ilaria enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her two black cats Kina and Edvige. She loves travelling and immerse herself in different cultures, hiking, swimming and yoga practicing.
Sid graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in general practice before specialising in Cardiology. In November 2020 he completed his cardiology residency at the University of Liverpool, and in March 2021 he passed his European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine certifying examinations to achieve Diplomate status. Sid is particularly interesting in minimally-invasive interventional radiology procedures for the management and treatment of both congenital and acquired cardiac diseases. He is also interested in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and in April 2020 he successfully submitted a portfolio to achieve the Associate of the Higher Education Authority qualification. Sid’s research interests include canine pulmonary hypertension and congenital heart disease.
Kieran is an American and European Diplomate and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. He worked for 6 years in first opinion practice, during which time he completed a Certificate in cardiology, then undertook a residency and Masters degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London. He has given CPD to vets all over the world on cardiology, from Bulgaria to Singapore, and enjoys nothing more than chatting about cardiology to other vets. He is an experienced interventional surgeon, treating not only cardiovascular disease, but respiratory, urinary and oncological problems using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques.
Dr. Scansen is an ACVIM Diplomate in Veterinary Cardiology and is also fellowship-trained in Interventional Radiology. He is currently Service Head of the Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Section at Colorado State University. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Veterinary Cardiology and is a Founding Board Member of the Veterinary Interventional Radiology & Interventional Endoscopy Society. He has published over 200 original journal articles, book chapters, proceedings, and scientific abstracts related to cardiac disease in animals. He lectures internationally on congenital heart disease, advanced cardiac imaging with a particular emphasis on cardiac CT, and interventional cardiology.
Dr Bode graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006. Following this she spent time in mixed practice before undertaking a rotating internship at the University of Cambridge. She then completed a PhD in heart failure and ageing at the University of Manchester, being awarded her Doctorate in 2014. In 2017 she became an RCVS and EBVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology following her residency at the University of Edinburgh. Liz has spent time in both academia and private practice. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She currently works as a Cardiologist at Chestergates Veterinary Specialists.
Dr. Visser is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and obtained a BS in 2007 and combined DVM/MS in 2010 from Michigan State University. He completed a small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University in 2011 and a combined residency/MS program in Cardiology at The Ohio State University in 2014. Dr. Visser joined the University of California, Davis in 2014 and is currently an Associate Professor of Cardiology. His primary research interest is improving the noninvasive assessment of cardiac structure and function.
Dr Simon Swift graduated from Cambridge University and started working in mixed animal practice before moving to exclusive small animal practice. He rapidly developed a fascination for cardiology and passed the RCVS Certificate in Cardiology in 1990. He became the cardiologist for the UK cavalier King Charles spaniel club advising them on degenerative valve disease from 1990 to 2014 when he moved to the USA. He became a partner in large small animal practice in Manchester accepting referrals in cardiology. He obtained his European diploma in cardiology after and alternative residency program at Liverpool University before moving into private referral practice in the UK. By 2013, he wanted to move back into academia to teach and an opportunity arose at the University of Florida where he was chief of cardiology, associate editor of JVIM and a medical director. He returned to the UK in 2014, joining Willows in Solihull where he is head of cardiology. He enjoys teaching veterinary surgeons and helping clients and referring veterinarians.
Valentina graduated from the University of Milan, Italy, in 2006, where she then completed a PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Small Animal Cardiology) in 2010. From 2008-2009 she performed externships at the Veterinary Cardiorespiratory Centre in Kenilworth, UK. She joined the Hospital for Small Animals of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in November 2010, as a Boehringer-Ingelheim Resident in Cardiopulmonary Medicine. After completion of her residency in 2014 she worked at the Small Animal Hospital of the University of Glasgow as a Cardiopulmonary Clinician until October 2015. She joined Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in January 2016 and became a European Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology in April 2016. Valentina particularly enjoys canine and feline cardiomyopathies, congenital diseases and cardiac interventional procedures.
Full Payment Upfront: Total payable AU$13,500 inc GST
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & examination fees.
AU $2,000 initial deposit to secure your place. The full balance of fees ($11,500) must be paid one month prior to the program start date (on or before 1 April 2024).
If your enrolment is being submitted within one month of the program start date and you would like to discuss payment options, please contact the Improve team.
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & examination fees.
Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.
Please find the terms and conditions here.
You must be a graduated Veterinary Surgeon with a minimum of 1 year clinical experience.
Please check with Improve, to ensure your suitability.
It is each delegate’s responsibility to ensure you meet the program entry criteria.
All applicants must:
You will spend on average 3-4 hours per week. Preparation of assessments and revising for the final exam is additional depending on your route.
Online modules cannot be deferred without losing the real-time interactive engagement with the Module Tutor
For up-to-date exam dates please visit www.isvps.org or email [email protected] for any specific queries
Yes, all the requirements for the ISVPS are online
Full details of the ISVPS processes are made available after you have registered with the ISVPS. You will be given a login to the Candidates Area after registration. ISVPS also have individual contact points for each country. [email protected] is the Australian contact address and any questions can be sent to this address for follow-up.
The program must be completed within 6 months of the final module. GPCert candidates then have up to four years to satisfy ISVPS assessment requirements and obtain the GPCert.
Yes. Location of study does not affect/change this global program. We can accept delegates across Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific region. Additionally, all content is pre-recorded so can be viewed at any time of day (i.e. time zone differences will not impact your access to content). However, you may need to allow extra time for tutor responses (as tutors will be based in Australia). If you intend to sit the GPCert qualification through ISVPS, this is online. Please contact the ISVPS directly for further information ([email protected]).