HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 30, 2022) — Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams, who served as Acting U.S. Surgeon General from April 2017 to September 2017, has been named the seventh president of the University of North Texas Health (UNT) Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC).
“We extend sincere congratulations to Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams for her recent appointment as the President of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “For many years, Dr. Trent-Adams has been dedicated and committed to providing the best scientific information available for improving health. She will continue to ensure positive outcomes for students under her leadership, and she is yet another example of one of our graduates upholding the Hampton ‘Standard of Excellence.’”
Dr. Trent-Adams will succeed Dr. Michael R. Williams, who was named chancellor of the UNT System on Jan. 1. In her capacity as HSC president, she will report to the UNT System chancellor and is the CEO of the university. She will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all campus programs, services and activities in every area of the university, including academic affairs, administration, strategic planning, student services, financial management, external relations, and fundraising.
The president leads, champions, and leverages the critical and unique role of the campus in advancing HSC’s academic, research, and outreach mission, and in supporting the university’s reputation as a distinguished academic health science center.
Dr. Trent-Adams formerly served as the executive vice president and chief strategy officer at HSC. In this role, she assisted the president in developing, communicating, executing and sustaining strategic initiatives, and she led the strategic planning process with a focus on accelerating organizational performance.
Prior to joining HSC, Dr. Trent-Adams served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health from January 2019 through August 2020. She shared responsibility with the Assistant Secretary for Health for planning, coordinating, and directing substantive program matters; policy and program development; and determining and setting legislative and program priorities. She also served from 2015 to 2018 as the Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. In that role, she was a trusted advisor to the Surgeon General, providing support on a variety of critical issues, including efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Prior to serving as Deputy Surgeon General, Dr. Trent-Adams was Deputy Associate Administrator for the HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration. In this role, she helped manage the $2.3 billion Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, which funds medical care, treatment, referrals and support services for uninsured and underserved people living with HIV disease, as well as training for health care professionals.
In 2017, Dr. Trent-Adams earned the International Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor that can be bestowed upon a nurse. Among her other recognitions is a Distinguished Service Medal for sustained leadership, dedication, and service at the highest levels while serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Deputy Surgeon General. Dr. Trent-Adams is also the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal for her leadership during the Commissioned Corps response to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa; and the Surgeon General’s Medallion for service as acting Surgeon General from April to September 2017.
Dr. Trent-Adams earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Hampton University and in 1987 was commissioned into the U. S. Army as a graduate of the University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. Trent-Adams received a Master of Science degree in Nursing and Health Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
She is a fellow in the National Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Nursing, National Academy of Practice, and the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. Dr. Trent-Adams is also a member of the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame.