Meet Wellstar Physician Avril Beckford, M.D.

A resident of Atlanta, Dr. Beckford, is a board-certified pediatrician practicing at Wellstar Medical Group, Pediatric & Adolescent Center and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is currently the chief pediatrics officer for Wellstar Health System.
Dr. Beckford was appointed to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Medical Society and founded the Pediatric and Adolescent Center of Cobb in 1994. She served as the president for the Board of Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics from 2008-2010 and is the former chairperson of the section on Families and Professionalism. She completed her Pediatrics Residency at Penn State University Children's Hospital and received her medical degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, before emigrating to the United States in 1985.
Dr. Beckford held a teaching position at Penn State University Children's Hospital as chief resident and instructor and is an outpatient clinical preceptor for the Pediatric Department of The Morehouse School of Medicine. She has served on a number of volunteer boards and is the author of three books and numerous articles and book chapters.
She enjoys speaking to parent groups, has been featured on CNN and PBS and is passionate about caring for children and supporting their parents. Dr. Beckford is married to Lawrence Rowley, M.D. and their son Derek is a senior at Stanford University