BluePearl Pet Hospital
Birmingham
Hoover, AL
Our Vets

Dr. Sahara Gonzalez’s clinical interests include initial stabilization, wound repair, toxicology and surgical procedures. She enjoys emergency medicine because it allows her to help animals and owners when they are in need.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care, Columbia
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
• Master of Science, Jacksonville State University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Auburn University, AL

In her free time, Dr. Gonzalez enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her growing family, including her loving dog, Niña.

• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Bachelor of Science, Animal and Dairy Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville

Born and raised in Birmingham, Dr. Jolly enjoys reading (Stephen King is her favorite author), cross-stitching, puzzling and hiking with her four dogs – Atticus and Wesley (French bulldogs), Dexter (boxer mix) and Peach (mixed breed).

Dr. Jennifer Leos’ clinical interests include feline medicine, soft tissue surgery, analgesia and peri-operative pain management, as well as immune-mediated and infectious diseases.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of California, Riverside
• Associate of Science, Veterinary Technology, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA
• Associate of Arts, Music Composition and Vocal Performance, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA

In her free time, Dr. Leos enjoys singing, knitting, snuggling with her cats, attending concerts and shows, traveling with her husband, playing video games, museum hopping and working on DIY projects.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
• Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

• Diplomate, American College Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Bachelor of Arts, Zoology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Dr. Susan Nelms has been practicing ophthalmology in the Birmingham area for over 28 years. Her goal is to provide the best ophthalmic care for every single patient.

Dr. Nelms has special interests in cataract surgery, corneal diseases and surgeries and diagnosing and treating systemic diseases that present with ocular signs.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
• Residency, Ophthalmology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Animal Medical Center, New York City, NY
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Master of Science, Zoology, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

In her free time, Dr. Nelms enjoys spending time with her family and friends on Smith Lake, endurance running and horseback trail riding. She and her husband have two daughters, a son whose memory they carry in their hearts, one granddaughter, seven dogs and three horses.

Dr. Kyle Shaw considers urgent care and emergency medicine his true veterinary calling.

• Juris Doctor, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Bachelor of Science, Biology and Psychology, Hendrix College, Conway, AR

Dr. Shaw married his high school sweetheart, and they share three kids and a few furry family members. He spends his free time either watching his sons play soccer or running the ballet studio and dancewear boutique that he and his wife own.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Brandt Tolbert discovered his interest in veterinary medicine at a young age. After graduating from vet school, he spent the first 15 years of his career in general practice. Then, in 2014, an opportunity arose in emergency veterinary medicine and Dr. Tolbert has spent the majority of his career in the ER ever since. He has a special interest in toxicology and enjoys the unique challenges of these cases.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Auburn University, AL

Dr. Tolbert lives with his wife and three children. At home, they have a pit bull, four cats, and an ever-varying number of foster cats.