Hines transplant surgeon appointed to national VA position
Dr. Reynold Lopez-Soler, Director of Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital’s Renal Transplant Program, was appointed Chairman of the Department of Veterans Affairs Transplant Surgery Surgical Advisory Board (SAB).
During the three-year appointment, Lopez-Soler will help develop transplant policies and procedures across VA’s nation-wide medical system and 15 transplant centers. The Transplant Surgery SAB also advises the National Surgery Office (NSO) and VA leadership.
"It's quite an honor to have this ability to look at national policy and direct transplantation for Veterans across multiple transplant centers and multiple regions," said Lopez-Soler.
In 2020, Lopez-Solar helped establish Hines VA’s transplant program, becoming the eighth VA facility to provide kidney transplant services.
According to Lopez-Soler, Hines VA's program initially planned for 10 kidney transplants in its first calendar year but completed 36, the most by any VA that year. To date, the program has completed 66 successful transplants, including its first living donor transplant in June 2022.
"I knew from the first time he walked in that this was it, that this is the guy that's going to fix me," said Ronald Stocks, the first living kidney donor transplant recipient at Hines VA. "The way that he sat down and explained things to me and the way he approached everything, you can tell he just really cares about what he does."
Born in Puerto Rico, Lopez-Soler is the grandson of Army Brig. Gen. Reynold Lopez-Pritchard. Lopez-Soler said his grandfather's service inspired him to help Veterans.
"I grew up very close to my grandfather," he said. "I've always wanted to figure out a way to serve, and this seemed like a great way to serve. I can do the job I love for Veterans that need it."
"Dr. Reynold Lopez-Soler is a shining example of Veteran care," said James Doelling, Hines VA Hospital Director. "His appointment is proof of his exceptional skill and compassion. I look forward to seeing the progress he will bring as Chair of the Transplant Surgery Surgical Advisory Board."
The three-year appointment is from Aug. 1, 2022, to July 31, 2025.