MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to Virginia for Richmond Navy Week, May 12 to 18, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the River City.
While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the area, including Cmdr. MaryCatherine Mohr, who is from Martinsville.
Mohr is a 2003 Martinsville High School graduate. Additionally, Mohr earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the College of William and Mary in 2007, a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in 2014.
Upon joining the Navy, Mohr quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Martinsville were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
"Growing up in a small town, I was able to see the impact that you can have on your community, especially as a healthcare provider," Mohr said. "Dr. James Muehleck and Dr. Jimmy Jordan both gave me great advice about pursuing a career in dentistry and the benefits of having a good work/life balance as a dentist."
Mohr, who joined the Navy 14 years ago, is assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Camp Lejeune.
"I joined the Navy because of the positive impact it had on my father," Mohr said. "The Navy afforded my father the ability to go to medical school, and he felt he received excellent training and experience serving in the Navy. As I pursued my dental career, I was interested in the same thing, and I was excited to serve because my father spoke so positively about his experience."
Mohr is part of the second Navy Week to be hosted by Richmond. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
"I am excited to talk to people in the communities where I went to dental school and volunteered about the wonderful opportunities available in the Navy, especially Navy Medicine," Mohr said. "I did not have a lot of exposure to the military in high school or college, so I think it is important for people to know about the positive experiences that come from serving in the Navy."
Today, Mohr serves as a department head for the dental clinic.
"I am the only orthodontist at my command," Mohr said. "I treat sailors and Marines who require braces and jaw surgery to correct their bite. I love working with the oral surgeon to treat these high-impact cases. I am currently the department head for the dental clinic at the hospital and oversee two additional dental clinics on base. I split my time between patient care and my administrative duties."
According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC serves as the single point of contact in support of installation and operational commanders, providing medical information, support and over medical cognizance of the active duty and reserve force.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.
Mohr has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy.
"I am very proud of my selection to orthodontics residency," Mohr said. "I love my job and being able to practice as an orthodontist in the Navy. I am passionate about the impact orthodontics/orthognathic surgery has on my patients. Additionally, I am proud to be a plankowner on USS Gerald R. Ford. It was a fun and unique time to be a part of the ship's company."
Mohr is grateful for the Martinsville community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
"I’m thankful for the example my dad set and the interest he generated in me joining the Navy," Mohr said. "His work ethic and dedication to his patients motivated me to be the provider I am today. I also want to thank my mom. She has been my biggest supporter and has shaped me into the person I am. Most importantly, as a mom. I am so grateful for her. I am also so proud of my sister and brother. Lastly, I want to thank Dr. Edward Snyder - my orthodontist who had a large impact on me becoming an orthodontist due to my experience as his patient."
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Richmond.
“As we celebrate 250 years of naval tradition and excellence as a maritime nation, we recognize it’s the combination of the world’s most sophisticated weapons systems, and more importantly our highly skilled people – at sea and ashore – who provide an unmatched advantage in promoting prosperity and security, deterring aggression and protecting the American way of life,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Navy Office of Community Outreach director. “Your sailors continue a tradition of decisive power from seabed to space, and we’re thrilled to bring them to Richmond so you can witness their tremendous character, competence and dedication firsthand.”
Richmond Navy Week events include a Mayoral Proclamation Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial; displays at the American Civil War Museum, Children's Museum of Richmond, Museum of History and Culture, VA Hospital, and National Battlefield Park; free public performances at the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond Ivy, RVA Big Market, Mission BBQ and Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre; various community service-based partnerships to include Feed More, Chesterfield Food Bank, Beyond Boundaries, Richmond SPCA, and Habitat for Humanity; and opportunities for Sailor interactions all weekend long at the Dominion Energy Riverrock Festival.
Richmond Navy Week senior executive, Rear Adm. Todd Whalen, commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, will participate in community engagements and meet with local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Richmond-2025/