BluePearl Pet Hospital
Richmond, VA
Our Vets

Dr. Juliet Armstrong’s clinical interests include:

• Neurologic emergencies
• Autoimmune inflammatory conditions
• Neuroimaging

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
• Residency, Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Georgia, Athens
• Internship, Emergency & Critical Care, University of Georgia, Athens
• Internship, Neurology, Animal Neurology and Imaging Center, Algodones, NM
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Georgia, Athens
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs

In her free time, Dr. Armstrong enjoys going to the gym and spending time outside with her very needy Doberman, Sydney, and tennis ball loving yellow Lab, Rhubarb.

Dr. Elen Hernandez’s clinical interests include surgery, emergency medicine and avian and exotic animal medicine. She is fluent in Spanish and looks forward to expanding her surgical experience, caring for a wider variety of exotic patients and providing comprehensive veterinary care beyond preventative surgeries.

• Residency, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, PA

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Elen Hernandez enjoys playing video games, working out, binge-watching TV shows and going on walks with her family. Originally from Costa Rica, she and her husband are proud parents of two energetic boys.

Her family also includes several beloved pets: three cats – Oliver, a domestic longhair, and Tito and Mota, both domestic shorthairs – as well as Simba the chinchilla.

Dr. Raphael Malbrue loves working with both small companion animals and avian & exotic species. His clinical interests include critical care, emergency surgery, pain management and mentoring future veterinarians.

• Diplomate, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine
• Certified Aquatic Veterinarian, World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association
• Residency, Laboratory Animal Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Master of Science, Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Animal, Poultry, & Veterinary Science, Tuskegee University, AL

In his free time, Dr. Malbrue enjoys hiking, exploring local cuisine and spending time with his family and pets.

Dr. Rachel Meyers is intrigued by all aspects of veterinary cardiology, particularly feline cardiomyopathies and cardiorenal syndrome.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)
• Residency, Cardiology, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Sarasota, FL
• Residency, Cardiology, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
• Bachelor of Arts, Animal Behaviors, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

In her free time, Dr. Meyers enjoys running, cooking, paddleboarding with her husband and spoiling her twin hound dogs, Mousse and Foster.

Dr. Lori Rios has a particular interest in feline internal medicine, immunology, hematology and endocrine diseases.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Veterinary Specialists of Connecticut, Hartford
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA
• Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
• Bachelor of Science, Union College, Schenectady, NY

Dr. Rios and her husband share their home with their five Maine coon cats. In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy visiting family, exploring the mountains and water around their property, gardening, and of course, attending to their felines.

Dr. Lauren Young’s clinical interests include wound management, pain management and fostering the human-animal bond.

She believes Blood Bank services are essential for the community and provide a balance of science and problem solving to improve pets’ health.

• Internship, Large Animal Medicine & Surgery, Oakridge Equine Hospital, Edmond, OK
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Bridgewater College, VA

In her free time, Dr. Young enjoys hiking, visiting historic locations and spending time on the farm with her horses.