Christine Hunter, MD

Dr. Christine Hunter joined the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as Chief Medical Officer in December 2011, bringing over 30 years of experience in federal health care.  In this role, Dr. Hunter serves as Medical Director for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Multi-State Plans available through the Health Insurance Exchanges in 36 states.  She oversees health care quality for 8.2 million employees, retirees, and families; and co-chairs the National Committee for Quality Assurance Committee on Performance Measurement, working to improve health outcomes for Americans.  As a Navy Rear Admiral and Deputy Director of TRICARE Management Activity from 2009-2011, she coordinated health care for 9.6 million military beneficiaries and managed a $22B portfolio.

Dr. Hunter is a Distinguished Alumna of Boston University, where she earned both her BA and medical degrees.  After beginning her career as one of the first women to serve on Navy ships, she completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology-Oncology.  Her clinical practice afforded opportunities to advance care coordination, including the establishment of the Navy’s first multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic.  Serving as Director, Medical Services at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Executive Assistant to the Navy Surgeon General, and then as Commanding Officer of Naval Hospital Bremerton, Dr. Hunter focused on enhancing primary care delivery; while her tour as Pacific Fleet Surgeon offered an opportunity to redesign resuscitative surgery at sea.  Following promotion to Rear Admiral, Dr. Hunter organized medical support for tsunami and hurricane relief, and led the development of the Navy’s Pandemic Flu Response Plan.  Assuming command at Navy Medicine West/Naval Medical Center San Diego, she launched a nationally acclaimed center for wounded warrior care and energized her team to achieve the highest ranking among military hospitals for combined quality, population health, and business performance.

Dr. Hunter is a Fellow and Laureate of the American College of Physicians.  Her work has been recognized with a National Association of Government Communicators Competition Award, Athena Chairman’s Award for Community Leadership, and San Diego Business Journal Award.  During her military career, she received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (six awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medals.  She speaks regularly on leadership and achieving the Triple Aim in health care, and serves on the Boston University Board of Overseers.