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 two canine rescues, Ronin and Artemis. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, disc golfing and cooking.

Dr. Mary Beth Hannon enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine, particularly client education, wound care, critically ill patients and emergency surgery. She enjoys helping clients and their pets through challenging situations and working through complex cases.

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

Dr. Hannon lives with her husband and pets, an energetic cattle dog mix and three goofy cats. She enjoys travelling, reading, exploring the local food scene, hiking and running. She also enjoys taking time out of her schedule for an annual trip to Alaska’s Interior where she volunteers as a vet for long-distance sled dog races. There, she has collaborated on numerous research projects involving sled dogs and exercise physiology.

• 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.

Dr. Austen Vollenweider enjoys the intensity and complexity of emergency cases as well as providing the highest quality of care. He has a special interest in emergency surgery, trauma and critical care.

• Certification, Prehospital Veterinary First Responder, National Association of Veterinary Emergency Medical Services
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Auburn University, AL

Dr. Vollenweider is an avid fitness enthusiast. He enjoys golfing, weightlifting, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and competing in endurance sports like trail running and triathlons.