Walter L. Beard Jr. MD FACC

Cardiologist | Cardiovascular Disease

4/5(3)

720 Westview Drive Atlanta Georgia, 30310 Show map

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About

Dr. Walter Beard is currently an Assistant Professor of Cardiology and Associate Program Director for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at Morehouse School of Medicine. He also has staff privileges at Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory Healthcare System. Previously, Dr. Beard worked as a Noninvasive Cardiologist at Kaiser Permanente, where he was awarded the Clinical Allstar Award. Dr. Beard is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Nuclear Cardiology.

He graduated from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He also graduated from University of South Alabama with his Medical degree, both of which he earned with honors. After medical school, he completed his medical training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Mississippi. During his training at University of Mississippi, he was appointed as a research adjudicator for The Jackson Heart Study. Under the mentorship of Dr. Ervin Fox and in conjunction with Mass General and Boston University, he coauthored numerous research articles focusing on health disparities and inequalities in the African American community. Currently, Dr. Beard is pursing his Masters in Business Administration at Emory University Goizeuta Business School.

Dr. Beard is a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In his spare time, he performs community service with his fraternity. He also enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, golfing, listening to music, and international travel.

Education and Training

University of South Alabama College of Medicine MD 2011

Emory University Goizeuta MBA 2026

University of Mobile Bachelor Science Chemistry 2007

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine

Cardiovascular Disease (Internal Medicine)

Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology

Provider Details

Male English

Walter L. Beard Jr. MD FACC

Walter L. Beard Jr. MD FACC's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What helps with anemia?
Anemia by medical definition is a reduction and red blood cell count/mass; often discovered on a CBC (complete blood count). The causes (etiologies) must be worked up, diagnostically in order to God treatment. These causes can vary such as most commonly iron deficiency, acute or chronic blood loss, certain medications (few), vitamin deficiencies such as B12 and Folate. My approach to anemia is rather simple. There are essentially three mechanisms which can cause anemia: the bone marrow is not making enough red blood cells vs the red blood cells are being destroyed in the vascular or the red blood cells are being lost was commonly through a acute or chronic bleed. READ MORE
Can pneumonia be fixed with antibiotics?
Yes, if the pneumonia is bacterial and not viral. READ MORE
What medications help with pneumonia?
Most commonly pneumonia is caused by a virus for which anabiotic’s are not the treatment. However, if a pneumonia is bacterial, antibiotics will work depending on which organism such as strep, mycoplasma or staph. Depending on which organism is causing the bacterial pneumonia will dictate, which anabiotic will most likely work. READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

Areas of expertise and specialization

Non-invasive cardiologyEchocardiographySPECT Stress TestCardiac PET stress testTransesophageal echocardiographyStructural imagingStress echocardiographyCongestive heart failureCoronary artery diseaseEKG interpretationHypertensionCardiac imagingCritical careDyslipidemia

Faculty Titles & Positions

Assistant Professor/Associate Program Director Morehouse School of Medicine 2024 - Present
General Non-Invasive Cardiologist The Southeast Kaiser Permanente Medical Group 2021 - Present
Adjunct Professor Cardiology Emory University Healthcare 2023 - Present
Director Nuclear Cardiology Lab / General Non-invasive Cardiologist Diagnostic & Medical Clinic 2019 - 2020
Fellow of Cardiovascular Disease University of Mississippi Medical Center 2014 - 2017
House Officer Internal Medicine University of Mississippi Medical Center 2011 - 2014
Research Assistant & Adjudicator “Jackson Heart Study” and “Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study,” Jackson Cohort University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Medicine 2011 - Present
Research Assistant, “Autosomal Dominant Foramen Magnum Dysplasia, another Neurocristopathy?” University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Department of Neurology 2010 -
Program Assistant Biomedical Enrichment & Recruitment Program 2008 - 2008
Summer Research Fellow, “Screening of Natural Product Extracts for Protein Phosphatase Inhibitors” Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2008 - 2008
Summer Research Fellow, “Obesity Screening for Bladder and Bowel Incontinence” Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007 - 2007

Awards

Clinical All-Star 2023 Kaiser Permanente
Minority Medical Scholarship Award 2011 University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Area Award in Chemistry for Highest GPA, Presented at Graduation 2007 University of Mobile
Advanced Diploma with Honors 2003 John S. Shaw High School

Professional Memberships

Association, black cardiologist
American College of Cardiology
American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
American Medical Association
American Heart Association
University of South Alabama chapter of the Student National Medical Association
Kappa Alpha Psi
American College of Physicians
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Alabama

Fellowships

University of Mississippi Medical Center Cardiovascular Disease 2017

Treatments

Using non-invasive modalities for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases

Internships

Internal medicine

Fellowships

Cardiovascular diseases

Professional Society Memberships

Fellow of theAmerican College of CardiologyAmerican Heart AssociationAssociation of Black cardiologistKappa Alpha Psi Inc.

Articles and Publications

Epidemiology of Heart Failure Stages in Middle-Aged Black People in the Community: Prevalence Epidemiology of Heart Failure Stages in Middle-Aged Black People in the Community: Prevalence and Prognosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Vasan RS, Musani SK, Matsushita K, Beard W, Obafemi OB, Butler KR, Chang PP, Mosley TH, Fox E. J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 May 4;10(9):e016524. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.016524. Epub 2021 Apr 21. PMID:33880930; PMCID: PMC8200743.Clinical correlates and prognostic significance of change in standardized left ventricular mass in a community-based cohort of African Americans, Fox ER, Musani SK, Samdarshi TE, Taylor JK, Beard WL, Sarpong DF, Xanthakis V, McClendon EE, Liebson PR, Skelton TN, Butler KR, Mosley TH, Taylor H, Vasan RS., Journal of the America Heart Association, 2015 Feb PMID: 25655570.Palliative care for the terminal heart failure patient, Beard W., Long RC, Geraci SA. Journal of the Mississippi State MedicalAssociation. PMID: 24640063.Obesity Screening for Bladder and Bowel Incontinence, Beard W., Porter K., Brooks N., Mulekar M., Ringold F., Journal ofObstetrics and Gynecology, April 2008; 111:25S. and Prognosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Vasan RS, Musani SK, Matsushita K, Beard W, Obafemi OB, Butler KR, Chang PP, Mosley TH, Fox E. J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 May 4;10(9):e016524. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.016524. Epub 2021 Apr 21. PMID:33880930; PMCID: PMC8200743.Clinical correlates and prognostic significance of change in standardized left ventricular mass in a community-based cohort of African Americans, Fox ER, Musani SK, Samdarshi TE, Taylor JK, Beard WL, Sarpong DF, Xanthakis V, McClendon EE, Liebson PR, Skelton TN, Butler KR, Mosley TH, Taylor H, Vasan RS., Journal of the America Heart Association, 2015 Feb PMID: 25655570.Palliative care for the terminal heart failure patient, Beard W., Long RC, Geraci SA. Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association. PMID: 24640063.Obesity Screening for Bladder and Bowel Incontinence, Beard W., Porter K., Brooks N., Mulekar M., Ringold F., Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, April 2008; 111:25S.

What do you attribute your success to?

Unwavering belief in God. Unconditional love and support from my parents Walter Sr. and Kathy Beard. Wisdom from my grandparents Alton and Mary Beard and Doris Grisby (maternal). Remaining grounded knowing who I am and whom I belong.

Areas of research

Health disparities, epidemiology, congestive heart failure, coronary disease

Awards

Clinical All-Star 2023 (maintaining greater than 90% patient satisfaction for the entire year)

Philanthropic Initiatives

Community service with my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated. Donating to numerous charitable organizations, such as Saint Judes Childrens Hospital, March of Dimes and my local community and church.

Teaching and speaking

Grand rounds at Morehouse school of medicine Department of cardiology lecture Cardiac AmyloidosisInvited lecturer atCardiovascular Annual symposium at Bathurst healthcare in Pensacola:Hypertension: diagnosis, management and treatmentNumerous lectures given at noon conference for educational purposes

Favorite Place to Vacation

Belize

Hobbies / Sports

SEC football (U of Alabama), fishing, golfing, bowling, traveling, attending, live, sporting events, attending concerts, reading medical literature. Spending time with my family.

Favorite professional publications

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Areas of research

Researcher and published author with the Jackson Heart Study (JHS). JHS is a population based epidemiological study focused on cardiovascular diseases and health disparities in the African American population.

Walter L. Beard Jr. MD FACC's Practice location

Morehouse School of Medicine

720 Westview Drive -
Atlanta, Georgia 30310

Get Direction

New patients: 470-670-6703

www.msm.edu

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

Grady Memorial Hospital

80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE -
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

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Walter L. Beard Jr. MD FACC's reviews

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Patient Experience with Dr. Beard Jr.

4.0

Based on 3 reviews

Walter L. Beard Jr. MD FACC has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 3 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Cardiologist | Cardiovascular Disease in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.

Media Releases

Get to know Family Physician Dr. Ana Norell Torbenson, who serves patients in Hastings, Minnesota.

A trusted family physician, Dr. Torbenson is affiliated with Allina Health, working with patients at the Hastings Clinic in Minnesota. Her professional interests span a broad spectrum, ranging from preventive care and prenatal care to women’s health, child and adolescent medicine, and chronic disease management. Furthermore, her commitment to accessible healthcare is evident in her provision of face-to-face virtual visits, ensuring that patients receive quality care regardless of their location or circumstances.

With a passion for holistic healthcare, her practice philosophy revolves around meeting patients where they are, fostering trust, and emphasizing open communication to achieve overall health and well-being. Through her years of practice, she has gleaned invaluable lessons from her patients, recognizing the importance of listening to each individual’s unique story. She acknowledges that sometimes lending an ear can be the most impactful form of care.

Driven by a lifelong calling to make a positive difference in people’s lives, Dr. Torbenson’s journey into medicine began in her youth, reinforced by volunteering experiences during her academic years. With educational credentials from esteemed institutions such as Winona State University, Danish Institute for Study Abroad, Gustavus Adolphus College, and Creighton University School of Medicine, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. She completed her residency in family medicine at La Crosse-Mayo, further honing her skills and solidifying her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

Following her training, the doctor attained board-certification in family medicine through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). The ABFM is a non-profit, independent medical association of American physicians who practice family medicine and its sub-specialties. She holds a medical license in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Family medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. The specialist is called a family physician or family doctor. A family physician is often the first person a patient sees when seeking healthcare services. They examine and treat patients with a wide range of conditions and refer those with serious ailments to a specialist or appropriate facility.

Originally from Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Torbenson is an avid dog lover, with dreams of venturing into the realm of dog training or daycare if she weren’t a physician. Her affection for animals aligns with her belief in the therapeutic power they possess. Outside of medicine, she finds joy in various activities, including camping, hiking, figure skating, and traveling.