A. Z. Beshai, M.D.

Dr. Beshai was born in Assiut, Egypt, and his family immigrated to the United States when he was 10 years of age. He grew up in Los Angeles, Calif., and attended UCLA where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and received Highest Honors in Biochemistry.

After completing medical school at UCLA he went on to do his internship in surgery at Duke University. He completed his second year in surgery at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles and received his urology training back at Duke University. He has been serving the Western Slope since joining Urological Associates of Western Colorado in 1993.

Dr. Beshai's practice is one of general urology with a focus on urologic oncology. He has vast experience in open surgery and since 2006 he has performed numerous robotic surgeries for benign and malignant urologic conditions.

Dr. Beshai has served on several boards of directors including St. Mary's Foundation, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Community Hospital. He enjoys many outdoor activities with his family including hiking, biking, skiing and horseback riding.

M. J. Murray, M.D.

Dr. Murray joined Urological Associates of Western Colorado in the year 2000. He is a former clinical staff member at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center where he served as the Residency Directory at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Murray has served as Chief of Surgery, Chairman of the Operating Room Steering Committee, and Board Member at St. Mary's Hospital. He is currently the Chairman of the Robotic Steering Committee and is working to develop a Robotic Center of Excellence at St. Mary's Hospital. Dr. Murray is a member of the Rocky Mountain Urological Society, Colorado Medical Society, and the American Urological Association.

Dr. Murray graduated magna cum laude from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He then went on to receive his medical doctorate with honors from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha and the National Medical Honor Society. He completed his residency at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in urologic surgery where he was named Chief Resident in urologic surgery. Dr. Murray is board certified by the American Board of Urology in adult and pediatric urology.

At Urological Associates of Western Colorado Dr. Murray devotes his practice to urologic oncology and pediatric urology. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery including robotic surgery with the daVinci robot:
· Nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy
· Robotic partial nephrectomy
· Radical nephrectomy
· Pyeloplasty
· Pelvic lymph node dissection

His pediatric practice specializes in:
· Hypospadias repair
· Treatment of Vesicoureteral reflux with open and minimally invasive procedures.

Gregory J. Tarman, M.D. F.A.C.S.

Dr. Greg Tarman grew up in Southern California. In 1987 Dr. Tarman graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in biochemistry. He then attended Georgetown University, and Dr. Tarman was awarded a Medical Degree in 1992.

Moving back to California, Dr. Tarman completed a surgical internship at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego in 1993. For two years he served as a battalion surgeon for the Marines at Camp Pendleton and deployed to the Middle East for a tour of duty.

Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Tarman resumed his surgical and urologic residency training at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, completing in 2000. Following this he served as the Department Head of Urology at Pensacola Naval Hospital in Florida. Dr. Tarman received his board certification in adult and pediatric urology and became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 2002. In 2003 he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy and, subsequently, joined Urological Associates of Western Colorado.

Dr. Tarman's practice treats a broad range of adult and pediatric urologic conditions. Special areas of interest include urologic malignancies, stone disease, prostate disease, erectile dysfunction and kidney disease. Dr. Tarman possesses in-depth experience in minimally invasive surgery, endoscopic procedures and prostate brachytherapy.

Caleb James Stepan, M.D.

Dr. Caleb Stepan was born in Norfolk, Neb., but primarily grew up in Logan, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in biology in 1999. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College in 2003 and went to the University of Nebraska for his surgical and urologic training. After finishing his residency in 2009, he came to Grand Junction and joined Urological Associates of Western Colorado. He is board certified in general urology.

Dr. Stepan sees and treats all areas of urology including male, female and pediatrics. He received robotics training during his residency at the University of Nebraska and uses this technology in the surgical management of his patients. He takes a special interest in male pelvic health and sexual function which includes prostate/urination disorders, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, infertility, low testosterone and testicular disorders.

Our Physician & Staff Support Team Providers

Gary Blunk, PA-C

Gary Blunk was born in Delta, Colorado, growing up in the Grand Valley and graduating from Grand Junction High School in 1970. He obtained an Associate in Sciences degree at Mesa Junior College (later Mesa State College/Colorado Mesa University) in 1973. He then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he attended the University of Alabama and was awarded a Bachelor of Sciences degree, and Surgeons Assistant Certificate in 1976.

Blunk started his medical career as an orderly, then an operating room technician. In Birmingham, he was a Surgeons Assistant in the Renal Transplant Program at the University of Alabama. In 1976 he moved back to the Grand Valley and began his VA career as a Physician's Assistant at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. He retired from the VA in 2007, and then began practicing as a Physician's Assistant at Urological Associates of Western Colorado.

Gary and his wife Paula celebrate 40 years of marriage in 2012. They keep busy with their three children and eight grandchildren.

Renae J. Morel, MSN, RN, FNP-BC

Ms. Renae J. Morel is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a 3rd generation native Coloradoan. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Her career was then focused in Critical Care with emphasis on Neurology and Trauma. She has worked at level 1 – 2 Trauma centers in the country including Stanford University Hospital. She was awarded a Masters degree in Nursing from The University of Texas Health and Science Center of San Antonio, in 2009. After her graduation she returned to the Grand Valley and joined the Urological Associates of Western Colorado where she currently practices general Urology.

Ms. Morel is board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center for Family Practice. She is a member of The American Urological Association, and The Society of Urological Nurses Associates. Her future includes plans for certification through SUMA.

Ms. Morel's Urologic interests lie within the family structure. She specializes in pediatric urology, female urology, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer management, ED treatment and testosterone therapy, and kidney or ureteral stones.

Amy Hill Fife, M.P.T.

Born and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, Amy left the Grand Valley to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science from Colorado State University. She then earned a Master's degree in Physical Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia.

While attending the Medical College of Georgia, Amy began her studies in women's health physical therapy. Her passion for this niche practice directed her into specializing in the treatment of women, men and children with pelvic health issues.

Over the past 12 years, Amy has studied with the Pelvic Health Institute and The Women's Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She played an integral role in establishing pelvic health physical therapy practices in California and at the University of Utah. After returning to Grand Junction, Amy joined Urological Associates of Western Colorado and the Pelvic Health & Wellness Center to establish the Pelvic Health Physical Therapy practice. Women, men and children with pelvic health issues are treated by her team of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

In February 2012 Amy will test for the APTA Women's Specialty Certification. This is the highest recognition for Women's Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. In her personal time, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and enjoying the Colorado outdoors.

Kaci Knaysi, M.P.T.

In 1992, Kaci graduated from Northern Arizona University with a BS in Biology and Physical Sciences. She went on to achieve a graduate degree in Physical Therapy from NAU in 1995. Since that time she has practiced physical therapy in a variety of settings, from acute care to outpatient, with a similarly diverse patient population. She joined the Pelvic Health and Wellness Center team in 2010 and brings with her experience as a physical therapist as well as more than ten years of yoga practice.