Dr. Hinman received his B.A. from Cornell University, M.D. from Western Reserve University, and M.P.H. from Harvard University. Since 1965 he has been involved in public health programs at the state, national, and international levels, primarily working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  At CDC he served as Director of the Immunization Division (1977-1988) and the National Center for Prevention Services (1988-1995). In addition, he has worked for the State Health Departments of New York and Tennessee. 

Dr. Hinman retired from the U.S. Public Health Service in July 1996, having attained the rank of Assistant Surgeon General, and joined the staff of The Task Force for Global Health.  He has authored or co-authored more than 400 publications.  He has served on the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as well as Chairing a WHO Advisory Committee. He is an Adjunct Professor of Global Health and Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University.