Whoever said that veterinary specialists are only found at universities was incorrect. They can also be found at some animal hospitals, clinics, and even in private practice. Here is the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine search page for veterinary specialists:
Find a Specialist
The search engine is very specific, so it's easiest to just put in the specialty (SAIM, or small animal internal medicine, in this particular case) and the state. The list generated will be small enough for you to find the closest specialist to your location. That said, it's still always best to get a referral from you own vet, whenever possible.