Commander Beverly Cheryl Crusher, MD, (née Howard) was the Chief Medical Officer aboard both the USS Enterprise-D and -E, both under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. She briefly left her post as CMO of the Enterprise-D to become head of Starfleet Medical, only to return shortly after.

Born Beverly Howard in Copernicus City on Earth's moon on October 13, 2324. Her ancestry is North American although her distant ancestors hail from Scotland. Orphaned as a child she was raised by her grandmother, Felisa Howard, whom Beverly referred to as "Nana", who was born into the noble Howard family, themselves related to the English Dukes of Norfolk.
The Howard coat-of-arms can be seen on the frontispiece of Felisa Howard's journal as Beverly opens it and turns the pages

Both Howards were present during the terrible disaster at the Arvada III colony, and it was during this time Felisa learned how to use herbs and roots for medicinal purposes after regular medical supplies had been exhausted. This inspired Beverly to a career in medicine. Beverly and Felisa later moved to the Caldos colony, where Felisa became a healer until her death in 2370.

Beverly was admitted to the Starfleet Medical Academy in 2342.
During this time, she became romantically involved with Jack Crusher after being introduced by their mutual friend, Walker Keel. The two were married in 2348.

Jack later served aboard the USS Stargazer under Picard, and the couple became good friends with the captain. Picard later admitted he had fallen in love with Beverly, but did not act on his feelings because he felt doing so would betray his friend.

Their son Wesley Crusher was born in 2348.

Beverly graduated from Starfleet Medical Academy in 2350, and interned with Dr. Dalen Quaice on Delos IV in 2352.

Jack died on an away mission while serving aboard the Stargazer in 2354. Picard brought Jack's body home to the grieving Beverly and Wesley.

Later in 2362 whilst on Enterprise she took the Bridge Officer's test and was promoted to commander.