Shoals Pediatric Group

02/04/2026

I realized today that many people who follow our page may not be patients of our practice—grandparents, out-of-town friends, or Shoals parents who go to another pediatrician. Wherever you’re coming from, thank you for being here.

I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I’m Dr. Sarah Kelley. While I’m not the only physician at Shoals Pediatric Group, I’m usually the one posting here. I try to “sign off” on most posts, but if I forget, assume it’s me 😊.

I grew up here and graduated from Florence High School. After graduation, I went to college in Virginia, then moved to Mobile for medical school at the University of South Alabama. From there, I headed north to complete my pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s. After residency and 11 years away, I moved back home.

I have three kids, who I reference often in my posts. I try to respect their privacy by not sharing too many personal details or pictures. We’re busy, our house is loud, and my car is perpetually full of crumbs.

In my “free time,” you’ll find me at the SportsPlex, driving kids around, or doing Walmart grocery pickup. I’m part of a really fun book club and read about 35–40 books a year. I love getting recommendations from parents in the office. I’m also part of a local church downtown and really value my community there. I love being outside in warm weather, doing puzzles, and spending time with friends and family. My husband says I don’t like to sit still, and he’s not wrong.

As for my approach to medicine, I try to blend my training with real-life experience as both a pediatrician and a parent. I often say, “If this were my kid…” during visits. I will never recommend anything for your child that I wouldn’t recommend for my own. You're not going to leave my office with an antibiotic for every runny nose, but you will leave with your questions answered, a plan in place, and specifics on when to bring your kid back.

Any other questions? I'm happy to answer more in the comments. If you're following from outside the Shoals, I'd love to know where!

-Dr. Kelley

02/03/2026

Happy Tuesday!

01/29/2026

This made me laugh, because it reminds me so much of one of my kids. I wanted to share this to it shine a little light on something that is very developmentally appropriate for some children. Many little bodies thrive and function best when they are afforded freedom of movement. Sitting still for prolonged periods is virtually impossible for some kids until they are well into elementary school. Beyond that, however, many kids actually learn better while they move. If you’ve got one of these kids, lean into it, as much as your family structure allows.

What does this mean in real life? Let them study spelling words while spinning in circles or doing cartwheels. Let them read upside down on the couch instead of setting up right and directly beside you. We need to teach our kids that there is a time and a place to keep our bodies still, but while they are practicing that, let them do things a little unconventionally in the time being. 

01/29/2026

My algorithm was hitting tonight.

01/27/2026

This post was from six years ago but it's still true today and every day after!!

01/27/2026

01/27/2026

What is a really easy, super quick, cheap life hack that has made your life easier? I’ll start.

I learned this one from Custom Organization, LLC. I keep a brush, a spray bottle, and hair ties in a kitchen drawer. I do hair in the morning while the kids are eating, or more often, walking out the door 😅. It makes all of our lives easier. I know where my tools are, I don’t have to hop between bathrooms, and we can multi-task.

01/26/2026

We will be open with regular hours tomorrow (Tuesday the 27th).

01/26/2026

AMA - technology edition! Ask me anything related to screen time, social media, tech limits, development, etc. I’ll answer thoughrout the day! In the mean time, I’ll be reading this Mickey story for the 384738 time!

01/26/2026

We will be closed today to keep our staff safe! We will be available by phone if you need a quick consult or a full telemedicine visit!