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Avril Beckford, MD

Patient Ratings

4.8

(145)

Specialities

Pediatrics

Education

Doctor of Medicine

Patient Ratings

4.8

(145)

Avril Beckford, MD

Pediatrician with Wellstar since 2005.
A friendly headshot of Avril Beckford, MD Pediatrician with Wellstar since 2005
  • Dr. Avril  Beckford
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About Dr. Beckford

Languages

English

Degree

Doctor of Medicine

School

University of Cape Town

Residency

PennState Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Certification

American Board of Pediatrics

Hospital Affiliations

Wellstar Cobb Hospital

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Dr. Beckford asks the community to Mask Up & Vax Up for the kids

Avril Beckford, M.D is the chief pediatric officer for Wellstar Health System. She is a member of the Wellstar Board of Trustees, Wellstar Medical Group Executive Board and Wellstar Clinical Partners. Currently, she practices at Wellstar Medical Group, Pediatric & Adolescent Center, a practice she founded in metro-Atlanta.

Dr. Beckford serves as past president of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She also has served on the National Nominating Committee of American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a past member of the Board of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Past chair of the Section on Families and Professionalism.

Other board appointments include The Lovett School, The National Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Camp Kudzu (a camp for children with Juvenile Diabetes), SafePath and Boy Scouts of America Atlanta Division, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 1998 Society Board, and as chair of the Cobb Area Pediatric Society.

Dr. Beckford is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society and has held a teaching position at Penn State University Children’s Hospital. She is the author of the parenting book: “Allow Your Children to Fail if You Want Them to Succeed.” As well as the children’s books: “I Love You 65 Bulldozers” and “The Tooth Fairy.”

Having presented internationally to numerous parents, teachers and pediatricians, Dr. Beckford has been published in a pediatric textbook and has published articles in medical journals, parenting and teaching publications. She also has appeared in numerous media interviews including CNN, PBS and WXIA Channel 11 (an Atlanta NBC affiliate).

Passionate about parenting and practicing pediatrics, Dr. Beckford has special interests in early childhood brain development and emotional intelligence. She is married to Lawrence Rowley MD, an OBGYN with Wellstar Medical Group, South Cobb OBGYN, and they raised two wonderful sons, Justin and Derek.
Dr. Beckford's Patient Reviews

Overall patient rating

Based on 145 patient ratings

4.8

4.89

I'd recommend this provider to family and friends

4.86

Listened to me carefully

4.86

Earned my trust

4.85

Explained things clearly

4.81

Shared the right amount of information

4.75

Knew my medical history

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Publications and Articles


Wellstar Foundation Gala Raises Nearly $1 Million for Behavioral Health Services Image

Wellstar Foundation Gala Raises Nearly $1 Million for Behavioral Health Services

The Wellstar Foundation raised more than $900,000 toward combating the behavioral health crisis facing Georgia during its 23rd annual Starlight Grand Gala on April 23 at The St. Regis Atlanta. 

Sponsored by ApolloMD and Bank of America, the black-tie event was emceed by Condace Pressley, Director of Community and Public Affairs at WSB-TV, and included a cameo video from Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, both of whom were born at Wellstar’s flagship hospital in Marietta, Georgia, Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center.

Atlanta Hawks Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins also energized the sold-out crowd by hopping on stage to add two tickets to the auction for NBA playoff game four between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. Wilkins, who partners with Wellstar as a health ambassador, also shared impassioned words on destigmatizing mental health and how it has impacted his own family. 

This message was echoed by Wellstar physician leaders Dr. Ryan Breshears, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, and Dr. Avril Beckford, Chief Pediatric Officer, who have witnessed firsthand the concerning rates of substance use, anxiety, depression and suicide among adults and youth rapidly increase throughout the pandemic. 

Julie Teer, Wellstar Foundation President, said, “The Gala was a monumental step in helping our Wellstar Foundation bolster collaboration among healthcare workers, community providers, and private and public sectors to enhance the well-being of every community we serve; this includes a pivotal philanthropic focus on behavioral health which is needed now more than ever. Caring for one-in-six Georgians, Wellstar is not only uniquely positioned but committed to transforming healthcare for everyone in Georgia through corporate and community partnership.” 

Kim Gresh, Owner and President of S.A. White Oil Company, Inc., was celebrated as Philanthropist of the Year and David Bottoms, President at The Bottoms Group and Chair of the Wellstar Foundation Board of Trustees, was presented with the Exemplary Service Award.

As one of the largest and most integrated not-for-profit health systems in Georgia, Wellstar is the state’s largest safety net health system and was recently ranked among Modern Healthcare’s top 10 providers for charity care in the nation. 100% of Gala proceeds support Wellstar’s commitment to expand behavioral health services across its 11 hospitals and every community it serves. To make a tax-deductible donation or for information on future Foundation events and corporate partnerships, visit wellstar.org/foundation.  

Gala attendees at event

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Published on: May 2022
Wellstar Health System Opens Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics to Enthusiastic Community Response Image

Wellstar Health System Opens Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics to Enthusiastic Community Response

Wellstar vaccinates pediatric patients in the first weeks following FDA EUA, Nearly 2,000 pediatric COVID vaccinations for patients aged 5 to 11 scheduled through January 2022

Wellstar Health System has opened two pediatric COVID-19 vaccination centers following the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the COVID vaccine for existing Wellstar pediatric patients aged 5 to 11. Wellstar began offering COVID vaccinations for children under age 12 the weekend of Nov. 5 and quickly filled more than 100 vaccination appointments on the first day. To date, nearly 2,000 appointments have been scheduled through January 2022. The Wellstar pediatric COVID vaccination sites are currently located at the East Cobb and Acworth Health Parks, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to schedule a vaccination appointment with their children’s pediatrician.

“During the COVID pandemic, Wellstar has remained dedicated to protecting our practitioners, patients, and the children of our communities,” said Dr. Avril Beckford, chief pediatric officer for Wellstar Health System. “We are incredibly excited by the high demand and interest in pediatric vaccinations and proud of the families who have taken the important step to vaccinate their children to offer some of our youngest patients protection against COVID.”

Wellstar’s COVID pediatric vaccination clinics include waiting rooms for families to relax in while their children are vaccinated. In addition, parents can also schedule follow-up visits, including the second vaccine dose and other important immunizations while waiting.

“I decided to get my two children ages five and seven vaccinated,” said Hunter Carlson, executive director of Health Parks and Pediatric Center for Wellstar Health System. “The kids had a great time and enjoyed interacting with the physicians and staff. In addition to wearing masks, the vaccine will give my children and family an extra layer of protection against the disease.”

The best protection against COVID-19 is prevention, vaccination and stopping community spread. Be sure you and your family members who are age five and up get the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents can also help protect their children’s health by teaching them the 3Ws—wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance.

For more health tips and information on how to schedule pediatric vaccinations, visit our Pediatric Care During COVID-19 page.

Read the full article
Published on: November 2021
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Avril Beckford, MD
Pediatrician with Wellstar since 2005
Rating
4.8
www.wellstar.org/physicians/avril-beckford-md
Specialties
Pediatrics
Education
Doctor of Medicine
Medical School
University of Cape Town
Residency
PennState Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Certifications
American Board of Pediatrics
Spoken Languages
English
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar Cobb Hospital
Office Locations
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