Colonel Joseph W. May was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania and grew up in an Army family. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Army ROTC program at the Johns Hopkins University, where he completed a BA in Natural Sciences (Public Health) and a Minor in Music (Piano) through Peabody Conservatory of Music. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree through the Army HPSP program at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine in 2004. He subsequently completed his Pediatrics Residency at the National Capital Consortium in 2007 and his Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine in 2012.

From 2007-2009, COL May served as Brigade Surgeon for the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany and deployed as part of “the surge” in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Following his fellowship training from 2009-2012, he served as a staff pediatric cardiologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and deployed in 2013 to Afghanistan as a Field Surgeon for the 3rd Squadron, 71st Infantry Regiment in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEEDOM.

COL May has served in various leadership positions at WRNMMC, including Pediatric Cardiology Division Chief (2014-2018), Assistant Department Chief (2018-2020), and Army Assistant Chief of Graduate Medical Education (2018-2020). Since 2020, he has served as the Department Chief of Pediatrics at WRNMMC, which is the largest and only Tri-Service pediatrics department in the Military Health System.

COL May’s military education includes the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic Course, the AMEDD Captain’s Career Course, the Brigade Surgeon Course, and the Command and General Staff Officer Course. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Achievement Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Parachutist Badge.

COL May is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University. He was named a Master Clinician at WRNMMC and received “A” Designator recognition from the Army Surgeon General. He has been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society and the Order of Military Medical Merit. He is a member of the Cosmos Club and serves on the Board of Directors for Washington Performing Arts. He and his husband, Brian Pesin, reside in Washington, DC.