Get to Know Dr Jose Novo Matos and Dr Kieran Borgeat - 2024 UK Bright Minds Industry Influencers

Q: Congratulations on receiving the 2024 UK Bright Minds Award! What does this recognition mean to you? 

KB: For me, it's a huge honour that people listen to our podcast. Being recognised through a public vote makes it even more meaningful. We never expected to be shortlisted, let alone win—it's truly an honour.

JM: We’re also very grateful to the Bridge Club and the London Vet Show for organising these awards. It’s been an incredible experience! I had the chance to meet the other award winners and learn about the amazing work being done across different areas of veterinary medicine.

Q: You were recognised in the UK Industry Influencers category - how do you see your influence shaping the future of veterinary cardiology?

JM: We love veterinary cardiology and want to share this passion with every vet. Our goal is to simplify complex concepts for general practitioners and help them tackle cardiology cases with confidence. It's also amazing to speak with leading experts and share their insights in a relatable way, showing that even top cardiologists are just passionate vets eager to share their knowledge.

KB: As Jose mentioned, our guests are humans too. Sometimes we know what to do, sometimes we don’t, and that's okay! One piece of feedback we've received from listeners is that we’re helping break the stereotype of specialists always having the answers. Spoiler alert: we’re all people, and we sometimes find cases challenging, both ethically and technically.

Q: What sparked your passion for veterinary cardiology, and how has it shaped your career?

KB: I initially became interested in cardiology during vet school. I remember choosing not to answer at least two exam questions on cardiology topics, I found it too difficult and overwhelming as a student. But then, my first rotation was in cardiology, and I had the chance to work with some great clinicians who helped me approach cardiac cases. I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but that exposure led me to pursue my RCVS certificate in cardiology in 2010. Eventually, I wanted to learn more, so I did postgraduate training as a resident and have continued to grow from there.

JM: Kieran's story is not very different from mine. When I finished vet school, I found ECGs really intimidating until I discovered Mike Martin's book Small Animal ECGs, which honestly changed my life. The more I read, the more I loved it. I think that’s true for any field—the more you learn, the more interesting it becomes.

Q: What motivated you to create The Animal Heartbeat podcast, and what makes it unique in the veterinary space?

KB: The idea came from our shared passion for teaching and lecturing, which we discovered through meetings and CPD sessions. We realised that, at the core of what we do, we want to help vets to help animals with heart disease – and a podcast allowed us to have a conversation about our work and share our perspectives with a wider audience.  

JM: We wanted to make expert conversations—like those that happen casually at conferences—accessible to everyone. The podcast allows us to share those discussions with the veterinary community across the world, not just the privileged few.

Q: What has been the most memorable moment while recording The Animal Heartbeat?

JM: For me, it was when we did a live podcast at the Cambridge Festival. We always record on Zoom, so we’d never actually recorded an episode together in person. It was great! The dynamic was completely different, and we had a panel of guests, which made it feel more like a panel discussion. 

KB: Often, my animals invade during recording, but that’s just a regular occurrence.
One memorable moment for me was when the podcast failed to record. It was a disaster! But that was the Halloween Special, so maybe there was a ghost in the machine.

Q: With such exciting milestones, what’s next for you and The Animal Heartbeat? Any upcoming projects or goals?

KB: We’re already planning ahead for Season 3 and considering potential themes—whether for the season itself or for the guests we invite. We’re also exploring the idea of organising a live podcast again. Keep your eyes peeled! 

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring veterinary professionals looking to make an impact in their field, as you have?

KB: Don’t be afraid to try something new—if it doesn’t work, learn from it. We didn’t aim to be influencers, we just wanted to share our love of cardiology and see where it led us.

JM: Find your passion and follow the opportunities that come your way! The best part is that when you're pursuing your passion, you meet amazing people who think like you, and things just keep growing. 

 

ABOUT THE ANIMAL HEARTBEAT PODCAST

A podcast discussing all things related to veterinary cardiology, designed for veterinarians, nursing professionals, technicians and students, and anybody who wants to know more about heart disease in animals. Hosted by Recognised Specialists in Veterinary Cardiology, Kieran Borgeat and Jose Novo Matos, and featuring top vet cardiology guests from all over the world. Visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/2189360 to learn more. 

ABOUT THE BRIDGE CLUB

The Bridge Club is committed to advancing veterinary medicine by recognising impactful leaders. Through pivotal discussions and industry awards, The Bridge Club fosters collaboration and innovation. Visit www.thebridgeclub.com to learn more.

 

ABOUT CLOSERSTILL MEDIA

CloserStill Media delivers premium, content-driven events across healthcare and veterinary sectors. The London Vet Show, part of its global portfolio, unites professionals to share knowledge, network, and drive the veterinary industry forward.