Deputy Director, Tricare Management Activity

Rear Admiral Christine Hunter is a native of Worcester, Mass. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine degrees with honors in 1980 from Boston University. Following a tour aboard the USS HUNLEY (AS-31), Rear Admiral Hunter reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego for her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology/Oncology, attaining board certification in all three fields.

From 1995 until 1998 Rear Admiral Hunter served as Director, Medical Services at Naval Medical Center San Diego. During that assignment, she redesigned primary care services and developed the Medicare Subvention project which served as the model for TRICARE for Life. As Executive Assistant to the Surgeon General from 1998 until 2000, she focused on defining best practices in primary care and enhancing Navy Medicine's service to the fleet.

In 2000, Rear Admiral Hunter assumed command of Naval Hospital Bremerton. Under her leadership, the hospital added a new Family Care Center, improving patient access. She led the staff to rapid recovery from an earthquake which required hospital evacuation, and facilitated the successful deployment of Fleet Hospital 8 to provide casualty care. While serving as Pacific Fleet Surgeon from 2003-2004, Rear Admiral Hunter developed the Concept of Operations for resuscitative surgery aboard small combatant ships which served as the prototype for today's Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System.

As Chief of Staff, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, from 2004-2006, she ensured the ongoing deployment of medical personnel in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as organizing medical support for tsunami, earthquake, and hurricane relief missions. She led the development of Navy Medicine's Pandemic Flu Response Plan, and implemented the reorganization of Navy Medicine to create an Echelon II Headquarters with four subordinate regional commands.

Rear Admiral Hunter assumed command of Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center San Diego in January 2007. In this role, she developed nationally acclaimed programs for wounded warriors, including amputee care, combat stress control, and traumatic brain injury; expanded health services across the Pacific; promoted medical research; and led the medical center to achieve the top ranking in DoD for combined quality, population health, and business performance.

In May 2009, she assumed duties as the Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity, coordinating health care for 9.4 million military beneficiaries worldwide.

Rear Admiral Hunter's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (six awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).