J. Sam Hurley, MPH, EMPS, NRP, currently serves as the Senior Deputy Director of the Health Systems and Preparedness Administration at DC Health. HSPA safeguards the health and well-being of DC residents, visitors, and businesses by regulating health professionals and facilities while coordinating emergency preparedness and response efforts. Through partnerships and a strong regulatory framework, HSPA aims to ensure the quality, safety, and readiness of our healthcare systems for both everyday needs and public health emergencies.

He returned to DC Health in late 2023, after spending four years in Maine as the State EMS Director. During his time there, he led a multi-year strategic planning process for development of the EMS system in Maine and led the statewide EMS response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his time in Maine, he served as the EMS Program Manager for the District of Columbia.

He is currently completing his dissertation for a Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) in Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and holds master's degrees in public health and emergency and disaster management from Emory and Georgetown University, respectively.