Lisa J. Hou, D.O. (b. 1971)[1] is an American physician and major general. As of July 2024, she is the Director of the Office of the Joint Surgeon General at the National Guard Bureau.[2] She served as the Adjutant General of the New Jersey National Guard and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs from 2021 to 2024.[3][4] She was the first Asian American and first female Adjutant General in the state.[5]

Lisa J. Hou
Color 2024 head and shoulders photo of Major general Lisa Hou in dress uniform, facing front
Hou in 2024
Born1971 (age 52–53)
ServiceUnited States Army
Years of service1994–present
RankMajor General
UnitNew Jersey Army National Guard
CommandsNew Jersey Army National Guard Medical Command
New Jersey National Guard
WarsIraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsLegion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Alma materBryn Mawr College (BA)
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (D.O.)
United States Army War College (MSS)
Rutgers University (MBA)
Other workCommissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Early life and education

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Hou was raised in Middletown and Rumson, and is a 1987 graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.[6][7] She earned a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in political science from Bryn Mawr College.[8] She joined the New Jersey Army National Guard in 1994 while a medical student at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford. Dr. Hou received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) in 1996.[9] Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Hou completed graduate medical education in both general surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center (1998) as well as otolaryngology at Union Hospital (2001).[9] Additionally, Dr. Hou is also qualified as a flight surgeon.[8]

In addition to her training in medicine, Dr. Hou went on to earn a distinguished Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) from the United States Army War College in 2019 as well as a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Rutgers University - School of Business in 2022.[1]

Military career

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From 2005 to 2006, Hou served in Iraq as a senior field surgeon for Echo Company, 50th Main Support Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division, New Jersey Army National Guard, where she performed routine and advanced emergency medical care for coalition soldiers and Iraqi civilians and maintained medical readiness for mass casualty trauma.

In 2011, Brig. Gen. Hou served in Afghanistan as the Field Surgeon for Charlie Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. She was the sole medical provider on an Afghanistan National Army base and was responsible for providing routine and advanced emergency medical care in the combat theater for more than 600 coalition soldiers, contractors, and foreign nationals.

Since 2013, Brig. Gen. Hou has also served as the Region II representative for the National Guard Bureau (NGB) Medical Advisory Group and, from 2018 to 2020, she served as the Chair of the Army National Guard Credentials Certification and Privileging Preparation Board. In August 2020, she became the chair of the nationwide Army National Guard Medical Advisory Group.

In February 2024, Hou was promoted to major general.[10] In July 2024, she was assigned as Director of the Office of the Joint Surgeon General at the National Guard Bureau.[2]

She has been a resident of Belmar, New Jersey.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Ride of Her Life". stories.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  2. ^ a b "Governor Murphy Announces Departure of Major General Lisa J. Hou". Insider NJ. Verona, NJ. July 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Adjutant General". www.nj.gov.
  4. ^ NJ.com, Kelly Heyboer; NJ Advance Media for (May 3, 2021). "Murphy names first woman to oversee N.J. National Guard, veterans homes after COVID deaths spur big changes". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Governor Murphy Nominates Colonel Dr. Lisa Hou as Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs". Insider NJ. May 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Always Ready, Always There: Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou & the New Jersey National Guard". Community Magazine. Lawrenceville, NJ. April 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Brown, Christopher A. (June 24, 1987). "Rumson-Fair Haven Regional gives diplomas to 221 students". Asbury Park Press. Neptune, NJ. p. F16 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou". National Guard Bureau. August 19, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "NJHCP". www.njdoctorlist.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  10. ^ Olsen, Mark (2024-02-03). "Hou promoted to major general [Image 4 of 8]". DVIDS. Lawrenceville, New Jersey: New Jersey National Guard. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  11. ^ Wildstein, David. "Murphy picks Hou as New Jersey’s first woman Adjutant General; Army surgeon slated to join cabinet as Commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs", New Jersey Globe, May 2, 2021. Accessed January 11, 2022. "The Belmar resident joined the National Guard in 1994 while attending medical school."
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