BluePearl Pet Hospital
Birmingham
Hoover, AL
Our Vets

Dr. Jake Adkins finds wound repair and care especially gratifying. His professional interests include toxicology, radiology and ultrasonography.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Bachelor of Science, Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Starkville

Dr. Adkins enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, a white German shepherd named Naklin. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, disc golfing and cooking.

• Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Chi Institute, Reddick, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

• 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.

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.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Auburn University, AL