Your Favorite Kids’ Docs for 2022

Parents have a strong connection to their children’s doctors. They are trusting their most precious cargo with these medical professionals, and often the bond between parent and pediatrician or pediatric specialist is strong.

There’s nothing like a personal referral to find a great doctor for your child. We’ve asked you for your “shout out,” your personal referral by the doctors who have served you and your children well. There are no “winners,” only the honored nominees who have been nominated by parents and caregivers in our area. It was parents’ chance to tell everyone why you love your doctor.

And when you see our little Favorite Kids Docs logo, you’ll know that medical professional was special enough that someone nominated them.

We present this year’s Favorite Kids Docs 2022 in alphabetical order, and one of the many comments about that doctor from the nominations:

Dr. Abby Allen, Pediatrics West-McAdory
“Dr Allen is awesome. My son loves her, she is always thorough and listens to us.”

Dr. Toren Anderson, Greenvale Pediatrics- Hoover
“Dr. Anderson is very personable and cares about the kiddos. He is very professional and knowledgeable. We love him!”

Dr. Victoria Anderson, Redmont Pediatrics
“Best Pediatrician Ever!” 

Dr Basaam Babi, Babi Pediatrics
“Always takes time with patients. Advocate for patients at school. Remembers key things like what patient likes or doesn’t like. Diagnosis is always correct.”

Dr. Steven Barron, Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatrics
“I’ve been using him since my child was born. He is patient and takes his time to understand and help us understand, as well.”

Dr Courtney Baxley, Over the Mountain Pediatrics
“Dr. Baxley has always done an exceptional job with helping my baby! She helped guide me through motherhood when I first became a mom, and she is the only doctor my niece has ever loved! She goes above and beyond in all she does, we love her and how fantastic she is.”

Dr. Ashley Beasley, Midtown Pediatrics
“Dr.  Beasley is absolutely amazing. Her attentiveness and caring is unmatched! She is hands down one of the very best. “

Dr. Shameza Boyd, Small Steps Pediatrics
“Dr. Boyd is the best pediatrician there is. Since my kids were babies she has made them feel comfortable and loved. Now that they are teenagers she still makes them feel that way.” 

Dr. Andrew Buie, Greenvale Pediatrics-Alabaster
“We love Dr. Drew. I have four children, and he always takes his time caring for each one. He is compassionate and very attentive. Dr. Buie and his staff are efficient. It is always a pleasure to interact with him whether it’s over the phone for a question or in office. “

Dr.  John Cortopassi, Greenvale Pediatrics-Hoover
“He is kind and will listen to the child and to the parent.”

Dr. Julie Dennis, Over the Mountain Pediatrics
“Always goes above and beyond and even comes in when she’s off off to see my babies!”

Dr. Parisa Dudley, Callahan Eye Foundation
“Dr. Dudley is our favorite eye doctor.  One of the kindest people you will ever meet.”

Dr. Stacey Gilbert, Mayfair Medical Group
“Dr. Gilbert is hands down the BEST pediatrician! She has cared for our three children since 2009 when our first was born, and she has been nothing but phenomenal. She has a caring spirit and love for our children.”

Dr. Jody Gilstrap, UAB/Medical West Brock’s Gap
“Dr. Gilstrap is a very good doctor.”

Dr. David Griffin, Springville Pediatrics
“He is always on time, never a long wait which is almost unheard of in pediatrics. He is caring, personable and never fails to listen to your concerns and truly connect with the kids. He is a fantastic physician and my children love him.”

Dr. Janet Harris, Pediatrics West-Bessemer
“I’ve never met a doctor that can tell you the name of each of her patients and take time out to listen and call personally to check on them. And when they are sick and she’s over booked she will still work them in and still not have you waiting all day.”

Dr. Elizabeth Hodges, Over the Mountain Pediatrics
“Dr. Hodges is wonderful. They office is great about getting us in when we need to be seen quickly.”

Dr. Kara Huls, Children’s of Alabama ED/CHIPS
“Started clinic for rescued children exposed to human trafficking.”

Dr Elizabeth Irons, Greenvale Pediatrics-Brook Highland
“Dr. Irons has always made me feel comfortable and answers any questions I have. I have never felt rushed or judged. Her bedside manner is great. My kids adore her. She has been a wonderful pediatrician!”

Dr. James Johnston, Children of Alabama Neurosurgery
“Dr. Johnston and his team were wonderful when treating my son for a brain bleed. After formally diagnosed with an AVM (arteriovenous malformation), Dr. Johnston removed it, and my son is doing great!! We love Dr. Johnston and Ms. Nadine!”

Dr. Joseph Jolly, Greenvale Pediatrics-Alabaster
“Dr. Jolly has a great bedside manner, a great listening ear, and he is very empathetic when treating my three sons. He is a doctor who truly cares about his patients.” 

Dr. Mohammed Khatib, Urgent Care for Children
“As a physician with years of experience in Pediatrics, dad to 3 children, he is the best doctor you need after hours to treat your sick or injured child at “Urgent Care for Children.”

Dr. Rupa Kitchens, Urology Centers of Alabama
“Dr. Kitchens is the best physician I have ever had. Wish I could see her for all my needs. She listens and has the BEST bedside manner. Love her!”

Dr. Jeffrey Laubenthal, West Alabama Family Practice
“He is extremely popular as a family doctor for a reason. He is thorough. He’s personable. He gets down and fully explains to my children what is going on and asks good questions. He communicated well with other doctors that I’ve been sent to. He is my favorite doctor.”

Dr. Elizabeth Luke, Over the Mountain Pediatrics
“Dr Luke is incredibly sweet and kind. As a brand-new mother my questions were frequent and sometimes odd, but there was never a hesitation in her response and never doubted my concerns. She saw my four-year-old as an infant and now sees my two-year-old.”

Dr. Troy Lofton, Lofton Pediatrics
“My newborn was spitting up all the time. I took him to Dr. Lofton for an adjustment which made a huge difference.”

Dr. Virginia Menedez, Over the Mountain Pediatrics
“Dr. Menendez is so personal and so caring with our children. It is as if they are her own!”

Dr. Kelly McMillian, Greenvale Pediatrics-Brook Highland
“Dr. McMillian and her team are absolutely incredible!! She goes above and beyond taking care of our kids!”

Dr. Indu Prasadh, Smart Starts Pediatrics
“She listens like no other and really cares about my kids. She listens to my concerns, and my kids get excited to see her. She lets her new patients pick a book from some she has, and even that sparked a fire in my 11-year-old to read.”

Dr. Kami Sester, Greenvale Pediatrics-Alabaster
“She truly cares about her patients. She even saw my son at the ballpark and went out of her way to speak to him. We love Dr. Sester.”

Dr. John Simpson, Vestavia Pediatrics
“My kids love Dr. Simpson! He is so kind, patient, and knowledgeable!”

Dr. Rubina Siddiqui, Pell City Pediatrics
“Dr Siddiqui is an amazing pediatrician she listens to what you have to say and takes it to heart. She never fails to make sure your child feels loved. She listens to their concerns. You can tell she loves her job and it’s her calling.”

Dr. Keith Stansell, Alabama Pediatrics
“We have used Dr. Stansell for 22 years. We live in Cullman, but we drive to Birmingham to see him. The quality of care, and attentiveness he shows for his patients is phenomenal. We are expecting our first grandchild who will also be his patient. He is simply the best!”

Dr. Erin Swanson-Kimani, Children’s of Alabama Rehabilitation
“After my son’s brain bleed, Dr. Swanson and her team worked with my son in regaining function to his left side. Dr. Swanson is great! We love her and her team at Children’s including inpatient rehabilitation on 10th floor!”

Dr. Rebecca Thompson, Purohit Pediatric Clinic
“Dr. Thompson has been a phenomenal pediatrician since my daughter was born.  She has always been super caring and compassionate. She is also very attentive and was able to catch my daughter’s fractured clavicle at birth. She also never downplayed my concern about my daughter’s suspected hearing loss.”

Dr. Marina Thompson, Urgent Care for Children
“Dr. Thompson is exceptional when it comes to treating children. If you have ever experienced sickness or injury after hours or on holidays/weekends with your children, Dr. Thompson from Urgent Care for Children is a blessing. Her communication, bedside manners, decision-making are all phenomenal.”

Dr. Melisa Wilson, Over the Mountain Pediatrics
“Dr. Wilson is my child’s doc for 20 years. She is fantastic. She is now my grands pediatrician. She watched my two sons grow up, experience hardships, emotional challenges and adjustments due to COVID. She has ALWAYS been there. Your circle is sometimes very small. Wilson has been a rock.”

Dr. Audie Woolley, Pediatric ENT Associates
“Dr. Woolley is an exceptional surgeon that has played a huge part in giving my daughter her hearing back. During the whole cochlear implant process, he was very compassionate and always made time to answer the hundreds of questions that we had. My daughter loved going to see him!”