After Dr. Ortiz graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry in 1972, he received his first assignment in the USAF as a General Dental Officer in Washington, D.C. He was selected for Graduate School and attended Indiana University School of Dentistry where he obtained his Masters Degree in Dental Science (M.S.) in 1976. He was then assigned overseas to the Panama Canal Zone.
He was soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed positions as Educator at the University of Pacific Dental School, Director of an AF General Practice Residency and Hospital Dentistry Program.
In addition to performing General Dentistry, Dr. Ortiz served in Turkey and Madrid, Spain as Chief of Dental Services, where he was promoted to Colonel. He was then transferred to Denver, Colorado to assume command of a twenty-two dentist facility and continued to practice comprehensive dentistry until his retirement in 1992.