Dr. Rivard obtained her medical degree in 1993 from the University of Lariboisière in Paris. She then completed a specialist certificate in cardiology in France in 1999 and in Canada in 2009. Dr. Rivard completed her three years of training in research and clinical electrophysiology at the Montreal Heart Institute and practiced as a clinical electrophysiologist at the Center Universitario de Lyon, France from 2006 to 2008. 
In 2009, Dr. Rivard completed a sub-specialization in electrophysiology in the field of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia at the University of Bordeaux, in the department of Professor Michel Haïssaguerre. Dr. Rivard was then hired by the electrophysiology service of the Montreal Heart Institute in 2010.
She earned a master’s degree in clinical research methodology (Claude Bernard Lyon University) and a master’s degree in biostatistics at the University of Montreal
Dr. Rivard is involved in a number of clinical trials in the field of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia as principal investigator and/or member of the steering committee. She is a member of the Canadian Cardiovascular Ventricular Tachycardia Guidelines Committee.