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By Yumi Choe

Capt. Jen Murr, D.O., answers my call in one of the many hotel rooms she calls home during the 300 days she’s on the road with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron with a mission to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Though it’s the job she dreamed of when she was younger, she doesn’t speak about her career with fanfare. Instead, she shares stories of service, growth and gratitude.

Originally from Jackson Center, Ohio, Murr graduated from Xavier University in 2002 and earned her D.O. from ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006. She joined the Navy through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), a decision she made as an undergraduate after seeing the camaraderie of her ROTC friends and facing the financial realities of medical school.

After completing her internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, she did two tours as a flight surgeon, deploying to Bahrain to serve as the sole physician for 2,000 service members. 

"You just mature and become more professional," she says. "It puts a lot of responsibility on very young physicians and you kind of have to step up."

When she decided to return to civilian life to complete her emergency medicine residency, her military experience helped set her apart from other candidates applying just out of medical school. She was accepted into SUNY Upstate Medical University, an allopathic program, where she used her military leadership experience to rise to the role of chief resident. In 2012, Murr transitioned to the reserves while maintaining her ER practice, giving her career flexibility and additional opportunities to serve with the Marines, special warfare and the Navy Seals.

When Murr was selected for the Blue Angels in 2024, she returned to active duty and a role she describes as incredibly busy and deeply rewarding. On top of ensuring the health and safety of her flight team, Murr is responsible for grading flight maneuvers and providing her notes during debrief. She also participates in community outreach, visiting hospitals and meeting children. 

"I love when little girls come up to me," she says. "They don’t see a lot of female captains or doctors doing this. It’s so cool to show them what’s possible."

Though her schedule is quite busy these days, Murr remains connected to her alma mater and her classmates. She praised the Heritage College's support for military students and encouraged the college to share stories like hers, to give options to students who might be overburdened by student loans post-graduation and looking for ways to contribute outside of medicine.

Murr’s time with the Blue Angels stretches into so she has the opportunity to reconnect with Heritage College friends and alumni all over the U.S. After that? Forgive me for this but…the sky’s the limit!