Get to Know Stefano Cortellini: Discover Dr Cortellini’s Inspiring Journey
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Dr Stefano Cortellini is an Associate Professor in Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary College, the Vice President of EVECCS, and the Co-director of the Renal Replacement Service. We’re thrilled to announce that Dr Cortellini will be presenting at this year’s London Vet Show, where he will lead both a Wet Lab and a clinical session. We recently had the opportunity to speak with him about his inspiring career journey and get a preview of his upcoming lectures.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary?
A: I've always had a special bond with animals. From an early age, I wanted to spend time with them, care for them, and that passion matured as I grew older. By my teenage years, I knew I wanted to pursue a career helping animals. This led me to veterinary studies, initially driven by the dream many undergraduates share of working with wildlife.
While studying at the University of Perugia in Italy, I discovered my interest in small animal practice and upon graduation, I focused on small animal medicine with the intention of specialising in neurology. However, during my first internship in Rome, I discovered how fascinating the emergency and intensive care field can be. The action-oriented and dynamic nature of emergency care, contrasted with the meticulous, long-term management required in intensive care. This balance between quick interventions and detailed care resonated with me and made me dedicate my career to emergency and critical care, embracing the challenges and rewards that come with it.
Q: Reflecting on your career thus far, what achievements or milestones are you most proud of and why?
A: I'm really proud of the steps I took to become a specialist. After graduation, I worked for two and a half years in referral centres in Italy and faced numerous rejections. I was determined to become a specialist, and I applied for primary practice internships in the UK but received no responses for months. Eventually, I travelled to the UK and started knocking on doors.
One of my proudest achievements is securing an internship at the Animal Health Trust. I visited the office, and fortunately, Louisa, who was passing by, noticed me and agreed to organise a meeting. I completed my internship at the Animal Health Trust thanks to that situation.
This opportunity set the foundation for my career. The next big achievement was obtaining a residency, which I initially viewed as the finish of my education but soon realised was just the beginning of my training.
Beyond these formal achievements, what I truly value is that I really enjoy what I do in my daily life. Becoming a specialist is not just about earning a title, and I feel fortunate to be part of my team, where we support and inspire each other every day.
Q: What do you hope attendees will take away from the Wet Lab, ‘Drain away your worries: Chest drains’, you'll be presenting at the London Vet Show?
A: In this 90-minute Wet Lab we'll cover when and how to place chest drains, as well as compare techniques, including the modified Seldinger technique. My goal is to help attendees build confidence in knowing when to escalate to chest drains, understanding the indications, and mastering the procedure. While chest drains might seem daunting, they're not as complicated as they appear - it's more about getting comfortable with the manual steps. This knowledge and skills are crucial not just in emergency settings but also in routine practice, where managing conditions like pyothorax or recurrent effusions can significantly improve patient wellbeing. We'll also explore suction devices and affordable technologies that can be useful in different clinical settings.
Q: You’ll also present a clinical session on ‘Managing the patient with GDV: Before, during and after surgery’. Why do you think this topic is particularly important for the veterinary community?
A: I'm really looking forward to this talk, especially since I'll be presenting it alongside my colleague and friend Matteo Rossanese, a skilled surgeon at the RVC. GDV is a common but serious emergency in veterinary medicine. While the mortality rate isn't as high as with some other critical illnesses, it's still a life-threatening condition that requires rapid intervention.
In our session, we'll cover the standard of care for managing GDV patients, focusing on both preoperative and postoperative care. I'll be discussing the emergency and critical care aspects - how to stabilise the patient before surgery, optimise treatment, and manage potential complications afterward. Matteo will share his insights on the surgical approach, including how to safely prepare the patient for surgery. Additionally, we'll touch on new debates and evidence, such as the timing of surgery and whether immediate intervention is always necessary. This session will blend current standard of care with emerging trends, providing a comprehensive overview of GDV management.
Q: What piece of advice would you like to give to individuals who are at the start of their veterinary career?
Believe in your dreams and appreciate how far you've come. When I graduated, I visited prestigious institutions like the University of Helsinki and Lyon University, and I felt imposter syndrome. It still lingers, but looking back, I realise that determination and motivation are key. As Jimmy Cliff said, "You can get it if you really want, but you must try and try, and you'll succeed."
If you want to achieve something, stay motivated and determined, and don't get discouraged, hard work will lead to success! Over my 18 years in veterinary medicine, I've learned that nothing is set in stone, and you need to stay open-minded. Medicine is a dynamic field, so always challenge your practices and avoid the arrogance of thinking your way is the only way.
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