Charles Friend, DO, is a board-certified specialist in family medicine, and a Diplomate of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. He is also a Diplomate of the National Medical Boards, and a Diplomate of the Certifying Commission in Medical Management. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Quality Assurance & Utilization Review Physicians-Healthcare Quality Management.

Dr. Friend is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Executives, and a Fellow of the Wilderness Medicine Society. He received his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences in Missouri. He also holds a master's degree from Central Michigan University. Other degrees are from Oklahoma University College of Medicine Park College and CCAF (Community College of the Air Force). He is retired from the United States Air Force. He completed his internship and residency at Eglin Regional Medical Center, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Dr. Friend has a wide range of experience. Although is practice is primarily family practice, he has had experience not only in family medicine but in obstetrics, sports medicine, occupational medicine, wilderness medicine, hospital medicine, urgent care, and emergency medicine. He has served as hospital Chief of Staff and Medical Director and as head of various medical departments.

Dr. Friend has also been an associate professor of clinical medicine and has experience teaching student physicians and residents, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and combat medics.

He has also served on a wide range of state committees for legislative affairs, quality assurance, and continuing medical education. He is the author of several articles on both clinical medicine and medical management topics.

He and Mrs. Friend have grown children. He enjoys reading, writing, computer science, and marshal arts.