My name is Dr. Murray C. Norcross, Jr., MD, MPH. I am originally from the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. I am a lifelong artist from my youth through college to the present day. I learned to draw, paint, knit and carve wooden figures from my family members. As an Eagle Scout, I learned how to be self-reliant, physically fit and a critical thinker. I received a degree in Biology from Saint Anselm College and my medical degree from U Mass Medical School in Worcester, Mass. I received my medical training at US Navy Hospitals in San Diego, California and Charleston, South Carolina. I then spent the next thirty years as a career primary care, military medicine physician. In medical school I received straight A's in anatomy due to my drawing skills. I always drew pictures for my patients of where their injuries or wounds were. I received extra training in Tropical Disease Medicine and Diving Medicine. I served on US Navy ships as a General Medical Officer. I participated in the Cold War, Desert Storm/ Shield, and the Global War on Terrorism/ OIF, OEF, Noble Eagle . I lived overseas for 7 years in the Middle East / Bahrain and Japan. I also deployed numerous times around the world as a US Navy Physician for contingency operations. I studied the local art in every country I traveled to now (now up to 45 countries). Now 63 years old, I am retired from active medical practice. I devote most of time to writing my memoirs and creating art.in many forms from wood carvings to paintings to bicycle chain art. I have been married to my sweet heart for 40 years and have two grown children, a daughter and son. Our daughter is a graphic artist and our son is a water treatment engineer for the City of Newport RI. My studio is in Portsmouth, RI. I exhibit my artwork in local Rhode Island galleries and in my online studio store. I am adventurous. I love to teach and I currently provide lectures for the Salve Regina University Circle of Scholars (a program for over 60 yr old adults) on various topics. I would welcome the opportunity to be a candidate for the State Department Artist Exchange program. I am physically fit having run over 20 marathons