Owner, Medical Director, DVM
Dr. Jim FitzSimons has over 27 years experience serving the companion animals of Cumming and the surrounding communities. A native Georgian and graduate of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, Dr. FitzSimons is experienced in emergency medicine as well as general practice. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association. Dr. FitzSimons has spent time serving as a volunteer veterinarian abroad and donates services to The Guide Dog Foundation.
What inspired your career in veterinary medicine?
I'm Jim Fitz Simons. I'm the medical director at Cumming Veterinary Clinic and one of the staff veterinarians. I'm a diplomat of UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, having graduated undergrad in '92 and earned my doctorate at UGA in 1996. When I joined Cumming Veterinary Clinic in 1996, it was already the premier veterinary practice in the area. It was the first accredited practice north of Roswell and has been accredited for over 40 years. I was hired primarily to bring knowledge of oncology, which I studied in school, and emergency medicine, which was another focus during my studies. Initially, I continued emergency work for several years while building the oncology portion of the practice. After five years, I was offered a position as a partner and became one of the owners. The main parts of my job involve helping people improve their pets' lives and quality of life.
What are your main areas of focus in practice?
My main areas of interest currently include a lot of senior pet care. We provide extensive counseling for serious medical conditions and offer services that typically require referral to specialty care. This approach allows us to maintain consistent contact with clients and their pets as we help them recover. At Cumming Veterinary Clinic, we focus on connecting with clients as part of the patient care team. Educating them about their pets' conditions and finding the best course to ensure the best quality of life is our main focus. I've always enjoyed problem-solving and puzzles, along with being around animals. This profession combines the need to think about complex, unique problems while helping animals.
What sets Cumming Veterinary Clinic apart?
I'm very proud that Cumming Veterinary Clinic is a member of AHA, the American Veterinary Medical Association. Membership guarantees that you're seeing a veterinarian in the top 20% of practices in the US, adhering to strict guidelines for anesthesia, pain management, client education, and overall patient care. Building on this, we are incorporating innovations such as chemotherapy, ultrasound, and endoscopy, while constructing a new hospital that is patient and client-centered, providing a higher level of care than found elsewhere.
What do you love most about your work?
My favorite part of my job is that every day is different and requires me to learn, grow, and think to deliver the best care for my patients.
What do you enjoy outside of veterinary medicine?
I enjoy a lot of outdoor activities like scuba diving, hiking, and kayaking. Being in nature often allows me to see animals, which I love. All my personal pets are rescues. I have a geriatric cat named Tidbit, who was a blood donor for us at the clinic for many years. I have another rescue cat named Elmer, named after the glue trap he was found in, and a rescue greyhound named Maggie, part of the last group of greyhounds taken off the track in the US. If you have any questions about our services or veterinarians, please don't hesitate to call (770) 525-3960.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram.