Brig. Gen. Bill A. Soliz ’22 DMSc will give the keynote address at the University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Medical Science and Master of PA Medicine Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16.
Soliz enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat medic in 1987. After completing his enlistment as a sergeant first class, he attended the Army’s PA training program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
During his 30-plus years military career, Soliz has participated in numerous combat operations, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2024, Soliz became the first PA to obtain the rank of brigadier general. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and others.
Soliz has held a variety of leadership roles in clinical and operational settings, including deputy surgeon for special operations, aide-de-camp to the Army inspector general, executive assistant to the Army surgeon general and commanding general, chief executive of Tripler Army Medical Center, and director of the Defense Health Network Indo-Pacific.
He also served on the White House Medical Unit, including as physician assistant to the U.S. president between 2006 and 2011.
Currently, Soliz is director of the Office of Operations, Plans, and Training for the Defense Health Agency and an adjunct faculty member for Lynchburg’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
He holds a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in physician assistant studies from the University of Texas Health Science Center; a Master of Science in Family Medicine from the University of Nebraska; a Master of Business Administration from the Jack Welch Management Institute; and a Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg.
