Pediatrics West Doctors

Charlotte Prejean, MD, FAAP

Dr. Prejean grew up in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Prejean joined Pediatrics West in September 2001. Dr. Prejean completed her undergraduate studies at Xavier University.  She received her medical degree from Meharry Medical College and completed her pediatrics residency at Louisiana State University Health Science Center. Dr. Prejean is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Prejean enjoys spending time with her children and family and watching football.

Tracy Brookings, MD, FAAP

Dr. Brookings grew up in Birmingham, AL. She joined Pediatrics West in October 2009. Dr. Brookings earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Birmingham-Southern College. She received her medical degree from the University of Alabama, Birmingham. She completed her pediatric residency at Children's Hospital of Michigan. Dr. Brookings is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In her spare time, she enjoys going to college football games, traveling and spending time with her husband and two children.

Janet Harris, MD, FAAP

Dr. Harris grew up in Ardmore, AL. She joined Pediatrics West in September 2001. She graduated from the University of Alabama and  received her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She completed her pediatrics residency at University of Alabama at Children's Hospital of Alabama. She is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Harris enjoys gardening, traveling, watching soccer and spending time at the beach with her husband of three sons. 

MeKeisha Pickens, MD, FAAP

Dr. Pickens grew up in Bessemer, AL. She joined Pediatrics West in August 2015. Dr. Pickens earned her bachelor degree and medical degree from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s of Alabama. She is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. During her leisure time, Dr. Pickens enjoys spending time with her family, attending Church of the Highlands, reading, traveling going to college football games and couponing.

Hugh Cheek, MD, FAAP

Dr. Hugh Cheek grew up in Georgia. He joined Pediatrics West in July 2016. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from The University of Georgia and his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his pediatric residency at Children’s of Alabama through the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He then served as co-chief resident. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Cheek is married to Morgan Cheek, author and mother. They have three children, two biological and one internationally adopted. His professional interests include children with disabilities, child and adolescent mental health, as well as routine health care for all ages. His hobbies include spending time with his wife and children, medical student ministry, ministry in medicine and outdoors/fishing. 

Catherine Cotney, MD, FAAP

Dr. Cotney grew up in Birmingham, AL. She joined Pediatrics West in July 2017. Dr. Cotney earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Biology from Samford University, and her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB). She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, where she served an additional year as chief resident. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Prior to joining Pediatrics West, she was a pediatrician at Children’s South in the After Hours Clinic. Dr. Cotney is married and has two daughters. In addition to caring for children, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling and baking.

Charles Schlappi, MD, FAAP

Dr. Schlappi grew up in Nashville, TN. He joined Pediatrics West in July 2020. Dr. Schlappi earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He completed his pediatric residency at Children’s of Alabama from the University of Alabama Birmingham. He then completed subspecialty training in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology through UAB at Children’s of Alabama in June 2020. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. His professional interests include primary care of patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and oncologic processes along with preventative medicine. He enjoys spending time with his family, trail running and being involved in his church.

Margaret (Maggie) Wester, MD, FAAP

Dr. Wester grew up in Mississippi. She joined Pediatrics West in August 2021. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Mississippi College and her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Wester completed her pediatric residency at Children’s of Alabama through the University of Alabama at Birmingham and then served as co-chief resident. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.  Her professional interests include injury prevention and Adverse Childhood Experiences. In her spare time, Dr. Wester enjoys spending time with her family, going to sporting events, traveling and cooking.

Ashley Love, MD, FAAP

Dr. Love joined Pediatrics West in July 2024. From Dothan, Alabama, she earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University and medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine here in Birmingham. Dr. Love completed her pediatric residency at Children's of Alabama. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and has been in private practice for five years prior to starting at Pediatrics West. Dr. Love and her family are members of First Church in downtown Birmingham. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and being outdoors.

Beth Vaughan, MD

Dr. Vaughan is from New Brockton, AL and she joined Pediatrics West in July 2024. Her undergraduate degree is in Biology from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. From there, she received her Masters in Public Health and her medical training at University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed her Pediatric Residency at Children's of Alabama through University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her professional interests include routine care for infants, children, and adolescents along with healthy and active lifestyles. She enjoys being with her family and friends, traveling, and spending time outdoors.