Dr. Hines has an accomplished career as a physician and surgeon, focusing on addiction medicine and AIDS/HIV. He attended Howard University in Washington, DC, receiving an undergraduate degree in Zoology and Chemistry. From there, he attended medical school at Upstate Medical University, graduating in 1976 with his Doctor of Medicine. He remained at Upstate for residencies in surgery and neurosurgery before joining the United States Navy Medical Corps. He served in the Navy as division surgeon/physician until 1986. Following his service, Dr. Hines worked at the New York State Department of Corrections as medical director of the Oneida County Correctional Facility, and then became medical director for the Central NY region. During his last three years with the Department of Corrections, he also served as the medical director for the Walsh Medical Center in Rome, NY.