LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Both a father’s dream for his son’s success and a son’s desire to serve his country, finally came true in pursuit of the American dream October 24.
Dr. John F. Beshai, Arizona Mayo Clinic cardiologist and senior associate consultant, took the Oath of Office to enter the United States Air Force Reserve and more specifically the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron during a short ceremony here. His wife, eight month old son and mother were also present.
Beshai has been a doctor for over 20 years and is one of 31 cardiologists at the Mayo Clinic. He practiced in Chicago and even served as the Chicago Blackhawks team cardiologist before coming to Arizona in 2013. His main reason for joining the Air Force at age 46 is as humble as the man himself, to give back to the troops and to serve the country that has given him so much.
Col. Kurt Gallegos, 944th Fighter Wing commander, administered the Oath of Office and welcomed Beshai to the unit. Gallegos expressed how lucky the wing is to have him and how lucky Beshai is to be a part of a unit like the 944 FW.
“Dr. Beshai’s significant medical skills and experience are an incredible addition to our team,” said Gallegos. “We are fortunate to have him on our team and I know he will find great fulfillment in serving with the amazing medical professionals we have.”
Beshai was an infant when his family came to America in 1969. They came looking for better opportunities and with hopes for a better life, like so many immigrants in the past. A Coptic Christian born in Egypt, raised in Ohio, Beshai was brought up with values of spirituality, respect, appreciation, and earning everything with hard work and perseverance.
At age 15 he found his life’s calling when his father was diagnosed with heart disease at 45 years old and had to have open heart surgery.
“Having to watch my dad go through that ordeal was when I knew I wanted to be a cardiologist and to one day be able to care for him,” said Beshai.
His father survived the surgery but later succumbed to pancreatic cancer at age 63 and never got to see the results of his efforts and sacrifices for his children’s success. Beshai’s only other sibling is his younger sister, who is a surgeon.
The interest to serve his country had been a growing desire throughout his life, but out of respect for his father’s wishes for him to go to college and pursue a career, Beshai put that dream aside.
“Over the years, as I became more successful in my career, I became more appreciative and thankful for the opportunities I had that this country has given me,” said Beshai. “I recognized that those opportunities and freedoms came with a very heavy price.”
In 2013, he moved to Arizona and met Col. Curtiss Cook, 944 ASTS commander, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and Chairman of the Division of Endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. Cook peaked his interest in joining the military once again, and Beshai eventually got in contact with Master Sgt. Randi Cross, AFRC health professions recruiter.
“I believe his actions send a message that Dr. Beshai lives by the Air Force core values already; integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do,” said Cross. “I have recruited over 500 members into the Air Force Reserve over my tenure as a recruiter, but I must say that Dr. Beshai is one of the most accomplished, skilled professionals that I have had the pleasure of working with.”
Beshai has a long list of accomplishments including completing fellowships in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Internal Medicine. He was the Associate Director of the Heart Rhythm Center and Director of Pacemaker and Defibrillator Services at the University of Chicago; his Curriculum Vitae includes his research activity, peer reviewed manuscripts, and book chapters that he has had published. He is a fellow of the American Heart Association, Heart Rhythm Society and he is an internationally renowned researcher and invited speaker to many courses and conferences on the subject.
“Dr. Beshai always expressed an interest in giving back to his country,” said Cook. “As a cardiologist and electrophysiologist, Dr. Beshai brings unique skills and knowledge that will enhance our education and training mission to better prepare us for medical contingencies.”
It is common for health professionals to receive monetary incentives for joining, but Beshai is joining without receiving anything based on the fact he is going into an overage slot. In fact, he originally thought his commitment to the Air Force Reserve would be volunteer work and that he would not get paid.
His unselfish desire to care for the men and women in uniform and use his skills and expertise to train and mentor his fellow medical professionals has finally happened. He has achieved yet another goal he set out to complete, to wear the U.S. Air Force uniform.
“When there is a calling far greater than what you do every day and you have a passion and desire to do something you have to follow that at any cost,” said Beshai. “The fact that our service men and women are going abroad to fight that fight for our people, I can’t sit back and watch. I have to be a part of that. I have to be able to help them.”
Beshai will be filling a flight surgeon billet and is scheduled to report for his first unit training assembly in January.
“His strong commitment to serve has put the needs of the Air Force Reserve before himself and his family,” said Cross. “Hopefully, this sends a message to other potential recruits that while there are many benefits to being a member of the Air Force Reserve, you must have the desire to be part of something bigger than yourself.”