Accomplished anesthesiologist. Decorated Navy Officer. Proven leader. A native of Illinois, CAPT Via graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in 1987. In 1985 he enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve as a Hospital Corpsman. In 1987 he was discharged from the Navy Reserve and entered active duty as an Ensign at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine in 1991.

CAPT Via was assigned to the National Naval Medical Center as a transitional intern and subsequently attended the Naval Undersea Medical Institute in Groton, Connecticut and Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida. He was assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO as Department Head and Diving Medical Officer and also served on the Commodore's staff of Combat Support Squadron EIGHT. During this time he performed hundreds of medical hyperbaric treatments, recompression treatments for decompression sickness, and participated in numerous diving and salvage operations. He received his Submarine Medical Officer Qualifications prior to returning to residency in 1995.

CAPT Via completed his residency in anesthesiology at the National Naval Medical Center in 1998 and fellowship training in trauma anesthesia at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, in 1999. He returned to NNMC where he served as staff anesthesiologist and assistant department head before reporting as Vice Chairman, and Director of Education and Simulation, Department of Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University. CAPT Via served as Department Head USNS Comfort, during Operation Noble Eagle following September 11th, and Department Head, Fleet Hospital THREE, Camp Viper Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CAPT Via was selected Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in 2003, and Service line leader, Operative support in 2004. He was then selected and served as Director for Surgical Services from February 2007 until July 2009 when he deployed as Commanding Officer of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan where he established the U.S. Navy as the lead nation, lead service of the multinational medical facility. He also established and then served as the Commander of Task Force Medical South where he was responsible for all U.S. Forces Afghanistan echelon above brigade medical elements in southern Afghanistan. He returned to assume duties as Deputy Commander, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in November, 2010. In June of 2012, CAPT Via was named PACFLT Surgeon.

Captain Via's professional activities include: Associate Professor Uniformed Services University and American Board of Anesthesiology Oral Board Examiner. He has served in numerous leadership positions with the American Society of Anesthesiologist including delegate to the Board of Directors and House of Delegates, and he served the Uniformed Services Society of Anesthesiologists as Secretary, Vice President, and President, over the last several years. His personal awards include: Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Services Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; and the Navy Achievement Medal.