David Hilmers, M.D. ‘95, Res. ’99, E.E., M.P.H., MSEE, is a professor in the Center for Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Hilmers also holds appointments in the Section of General Internal Medicine in the Alkek Department of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor. He is affiliated with the Harris Health System. Dr. Hilmers received his medical degree from Baylor in 1995. He is currently board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics and has practiced for 22 years.
Dr. Hilmers also works in the Exploration Medical Capabilities division as a research scientist at NASA. He is the chief medical officer for Hepatitis B Free, an Australian-based NGO dedicated to treating and eradicating hepatitis in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Before medical school, he was a Marine Corps Aviator – eventually retiring as a Colonel – and a NASA Astronaut who flew on four space shuttle missions.
On June 1, 2024, Dr. Hilmers was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. He was selected for “demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in furthering NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery and representing the committed spirit of exploration, bravery and teamwork,” said Curt Brown, board chairman of the foundation that stewards the selection process.
