Lisa J. Hou

Lisa J. Hou, D.O. (b. 1971) 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. 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. She was the first Asian American and first female Adjutant General in the state.

Early life and education The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Hou was raised in Middletown and Rumson, and is a 1987 graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. She earned a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in political science from Bryn Mawr College. 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. Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Hou completed a transitional internship at Union Hospital, NJ (1997), a general surgery internship at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ (1998) as well as a Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic Surgery residency at Union Hospital (2001).

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