Rear Admiral Denise Hinton, M.S., R.N., F.A.A.N.

As Deputy Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Upper Half (RADM) Denise Hinton is an active partner with the U.S. Surgeon General regarding the development and maintenance of policies, procedures and programs for the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps. RADM Hinton is the most senior career official of the USPHS Commissioned Corps and is responsible for the daily operations of the Service. As executive Lead of the USPHS Commissioned Corps Legislative Liaison Program (CCLLP), she oversees the development and implementation of strategies to advance the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ legislative priorities and articulates the Service’s position on legislation proposed by Congress. RADM Hinton’s foundational principles are rooted in fostering collaborative partnerships and strategic engagement to advance the health and safety of the nation.

From July 2017 to October 2021, RADM Hinton served as Chief Scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She provided strategic leadership, coordination, and expertise to support scientific excellence, innovation, and capacity to achieve FDA's public health mission. Working closely with various FDA centers and field operations, RADM Hinton promoted the adoption of cross-cutting, collaborative activities and initiatives, including the One Health program, which leverages innovative science and research to solve health problems resulting from the increasing interconnection between humans, animals, and their shared environments.

Before becoming Chief Scientist, RADM Hinton held various leadership positions within the FDA, including Deputy Director of the Office of Medical Policy (OMP) in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), where she concurrently served as Acting OMP Director from 2014 to 2016. Prior to joining the USPHS Commissioned Corps, RADM Hinton served in the U.S. Air Force as a nurse officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University and her Master of Science from Boston University. RADM Hinton is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

RADM Hinton has received numerous awards for her contributions to science and public health including, a USPHS Meritorious Service Medal and the American Public Health Association Presidential Citation. Additional awards include multiple Presidential Unit Citations, Achievement Medals, Commendation Medals, Outstanding Unit Citations and Unit Commendations, among other agency-specific awards. She also earned an FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation, one of the highest honors bestowed by the FDA. Additionally, RADM Hinton was recognized by the Maryland Governor with a Governor’s Citation for efforts in combatting the opioid epidemic.