Navy Doctor to follow Granger as TRICARE Deputy Director

FALLS CHURCH, VA. – Rear Adm. Christine S. Hunter will take the helm from Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger as the deputy director of TRICARE Management Activity (TMA). Granger, who retires from TMA in May, has been the deputy director since December of 2005.
 
            “Rear Admiral Hunter is an outstanding leader, highly respected and superbly qualified.  She brings tremendous vision, a track record of innovation and a keen understanding of the needs of great Americans serving in, and served by, our Military Health System,” said S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and the director of TMA. “She will follow Major General Elder Granger, a truly great medical leader who successfully led TRICARE through difficult challenges.”
 
            Hunter brings significant medical and business expertise to TMA. She earned her bachelor of arts and doctor of medicine degrees with honors from Boston University and is triple board certified in internal medicine and hematology and oncology.   As director, medical services at Naval Medical Center San Diego from 1995-98, she developed the Medicare subvention program that served as the model for TRICARE for Life.  In her role as executive assistant to the Navy surgeon general from 1998-2000, she focused on ensuring consistent delivery of the TRICARE benefit to the Navy fleet, defining best clinical and business practices in primary care.

            Currently assigned as commander, Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center San Diego, she has sponsored the Comprehensive Combat & Complex Casualty Care (C5) Center, the premier west coast program for wounded warriors of all services recovering from physical injuries, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.  Prior to reporting to Navy Medicine West, Hunter was the chief of staff, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery from 2004-06 where she ensured the ongoing deployment of medical personnel in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and organized medical support for tsunami, earthquake, and hurricane relief missions. Prior to that, Hunter served as Pacific fleet surgeon and as commanding officer of Naval Hospital Bremerton.
 
            “I am honored to join the dedicated healthcare team at TRICARE Management Activity,” said Hunter. “As a leader, physician and beneficiary, I have witnessed the quality of military medicine from the first responder to the most advanced settings of care.  It is a true privilege to have this opportunity to work with Military Health System leaders as we support our operational forces and their families, advance innovations in global health, and prepare for the challenges of the future.”

            For more information on Rear Adm. Hunter visit: http://www.health.mil/bioDetail.aspx?ID=108

About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
TRICARE Management Activity, the Defense Department activity that administers the health care plan for the uniformed services, retirees and their families, serves more than 9.4 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide in the Military Health System (MHS). The mission of the MHS is to enhance Department of Defense and national security by providing health support for the full range of military operations. The MHS provides quality medical care through a network of providers, military treatment facilities, medical clinics and dental clinics worldwide.  For more about the MHS go to www.health.mil.