Mental Health Unit Dedication for the Late John C. Beck, M.D.

Antelope Valley Medical Center dedicated the Mental Health unit in honor of Dr. John C. Beck on Tuesday September 7, 2021.  Surrounded by Dr. Beck’s family, AVMC leadership, and local dignitaries, AVMC held an intimate ceremony to honor Dr. Beck for his contributions to our mental health community.  

Dr. John C. Beck, M.D., a long time medical staff member of the Antelope Valley Medical Center sadly passed earlier this year.  Dr. Beck is credited with starting the mental health unit within the hospital in 1971.  He saw a great need, and an even greater lack of mental health services available in the Antelope Valley.  Dr. Beck took immediate action, and approached the hospital to instate a local and permanent mental health unit.  Today, an expert team of psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians, and licensed clinical social workers take an interdisciplinary approach to assemble individualized programs tailored to each patient’s specific needs.

As we recognize and dedicate the Mental Health unit in Dr. Beck’s name, we also recognize that the mental health unit has been open for 50 years.  “Since starting in 1971, the mental health unit has grown to include 30 beds, 35 professional staff, and 7 physicians to assist this vulnerable population,” said Edward Mirzabegian, CEO of Antelope Valley Medical Center. “Thousands of patients have been seen right here in the Antelope Valley, due to Dr. Beck’s vision for this (mental health) unit.” 

September 7^th would have been Dr. Beck’s 87^th birthday, and AVMC is honored to have recognized and celebrated his life achievements.