Contributors and Experts

Charlene H. Beard, MD, is an expert medical reviewer of content on WebMD FIT and Raising FIT Kids. She is a general pediatrician who has practiced in the Atlanta area since 1979.

Beard was in a private practice for 10 years before becoming a civilian pediatrician at Fort McPherson, Ga., and when it closed in 2011, she retired from the federal government. She now practices at an urgent care facility and does contract work for the Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Gilliam.

Beard obtained her medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. She is board-certified in pediatrics.