Dr. Jeff Oliver, PA-C, is currently the Clinical Director and Assistant Professor at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor’s (UMHB) Master of Science Physician Assistant Program in Belton, Texas. Prior to joining the UMHB faculty, Dr. Oliver retired from the U.S. Army in 2022 after attaining the rank of Colonel. During his over four decades of combined federal service, Colonel Jeff Oliver, USA, Retired (Ret.), served as the Deputy Chief of the Army Medical Specialist (SP) Corps, the first Physician Assistant to do so. He had also served as the Chief of the Physician Assistant Section/Assistant Specialist Corps Chief and PA Consultant and Assistant Executive Officer to the 43rd and 44th Surgeon General of the United States Army, respectively. Colonel (Ret.) Oliver, had also served as a Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff supporting the 21st and 22nd Secretaries of the Army and the 38th and 39th Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army during his tenure at the Pentagon, again the first Physician Assistant to do so.
Dr. Oliver retired with over 41 years of combined federal service, beginning his career as an Army Reserve enlisted Soldier and then converting to Active Duty. Dr. Oliver reached the rank of Staff Sergeant before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Army Physician Assistant (PA) Program in 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communicating Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a BS in PA Studies from the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio. Additionally, Dr. Oliver has earned a Master of PA Studies in Family Medicine from the University of Nebraska and holds a Fellowship Certificate as an Emergency Medicine PA from Brooke Army Medical Center. Dr. Oliver is a Class of 2018 United States Army War College graduate, earning a Master of Strategic Studies degree. Dr. Oliver was recently awarded a Doctor of Medical Science in Medical Education from the University of Lynchburg.
Colonel (Ret.) Oliver, credits answering the phone and heeding the advice, “You would be a FOOL for not saying yes to that job,” from an Army Senior Mentor for the success in his military career. Dr. Oliver credits his varied military positions for providing him with the educational opportunities of a lifetime. While on active duty, Dr. Oliver’s assignments included deployments to Iraq and past positions including Battalion / Squadron / Brigade / U.S. Army Medical Command PA / U.S. Forces Command PA / U.S. Department of the Army Staff / Emergency Medicine PA / Interservice PA Program Faculty at Phase 1 (Didactic) and Phase 2 (Clinical Coordinator and Preceptor).
Some of Colonel (Ret.) Oliver’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1OLC), Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Combat Medical Badge-2nd Award, Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. Colonel (Ret.) Oliver holds The Surgeon General’s “9A” Proficiency Designator for Excellence, and he is a Strategist, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant, and a former Aeromedical Physician Assistant. He is a member of the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for PAs, Order of Military Medical Merit and a 4th Degree in the Order of the Knights of Columbus.
COL Oliver draws his inspiration from his “Hometown Sweetheart” and their three children. Without their unwavering love, commitment, and spirit none of the “Odd Jobs” would have been possible.
Acknowledgments: This biography was written by LTC Amelia Duran-Stanton, MAJ Patrick Walsh, and Dr. Jeffrey Oliver and was submitted to the Society in September 2017. The biography was updated in June 2019 and March 2025. Photographs are courtesy of Dr. Oliver.
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Disclaimer: The authors’ views do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
