2019 Tillman Scholar

Jeffrey Oury

Army
Indiana University
M.D.

“A life dedicated to duty and service is never wasted. The greatest thing we can do is give back.”

Jeff grew up in rural Indiana. After Sept. 11, Jeff enlisted as an Infantryman at 17. He spent more than two years in the mountains of Afghanistan; it was there he learned to work with the local security forces while protecting new schools and building clinics. Then, Jeff applied for Special Forces and as a Green Beret, he deployed across the Middle East, Europe, and South America. The time he spent in some of the poorest societies demonstrated to him that all people desire security and health. These experiences shaped his desire to help those who need it most in their greatest moment of need.

After more than 13 years of service, Jeff left active duty to pursue a medical degree. He wanted to take the skills he learned in the military and apply them closer to home. For the past five years, he has balanced serving in the National Guard, completing his undergraduate degree and starting medical school at Indiana University, all while raising a family.

After medical school, Jeff intends to continue his service as a military trauma surgeon with the National Guard. He will use his extensive military and medical experience to improve medical training for Special Operations Medicine and apply battlefield medical skills to community trauma programs.