Hometown: Los Angeles, California 

Hobbies: I grew up as an athlete and played volleyball collegiately. Fell in love with cooking and I entertain as much as I can with friends and family. 

Education: BA Anthropology from New York University, MD from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University Hospital, Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship University of California San Francisco (UCSF) 

Outside the office, you’ll likely find me: At a farmer’s market in the morning and in the kitchen experimenting.  

Favorite vacation spot: Phuket, Thailand 

Last good book you read: Educated: A memoir 

Medical News: Why did you become a doctor?

Edward Miller: Growing up in foster care I didn’t see many doctors that looked like me. As a teenager I was certain that I would be an athlete but when a broken leg my junior year of high school side lined me from athletics, it allowed me to discover the field of medicine. I met my mentor, an orthopedic surgeon, who was one of the first people in my life who said, “Eddie you could do this.” From that moment the seed was planted, and I knew that I not only wanted to be a doctor, but to be the voice that told other kids that they could do it too. 

MN: Why did you choose maternal and fetal medicine as a specialty?

EM: Going into medical school I thought I would be an orthopedic surgeon, but when I found the field of maternal fetal medicine, I knew I found my place. Maternal fetal medicine blends cutting edge surgery, medicine and prenatal diagnosis in the care of both mom and her babies. Maternal fetal medicine involves some of the highest highs and the lowest lows and to be able to help a family along the journey is inspiring and humbling.

MN: What is the biggest misconception about your field?

EM: Maternal-fetal medicine is the field of high-risk obstetrics so by definition when patients come to my office, they are often concerned that something is wrong. One of the biggest misconceptions about maternal-fetal medicine is a lot of the work that we do is preventative. We take healthy women with history of conditions such as diabetes or hypertension and often help optimize their medications or treatment to ensure that they have healthy pregnancies. 

MN: What is the one thing you wish patients knew and/or understood about doctors?  

EM: One of the most beautiful things about medicine is the multidisciplinary aspect of it. That is something that I wish patients would get to see up close. While it may seem like you do not see your doctor for a long period of time, there are so many periods of time where your doctor is discussing your case, your care and things that can be done to optimize both. 

MN: You are also Chief Diversity Officer. What are your priorities in that role?

EM: As chief diversity officer my passion is to improve the health of the most at-risk communities that we serve. A large part of that effort stems in gathering a deeper understanding of the barriers and inequities that exist in our communities that are preventing our most vulnerable populations from getting the healthcare that they need and deserve. Community engagement is a cornerstone to delivering equitable healthcare and I work with numerous community organizations to improve the disparities within our communities. 

MN: You are originally from California and completed your education in New York and North Carolina. What are your first impressions of Louisville’s healthcare scene?

EM: One of the things that struck me immediately was how diverse the patient population was. There was significant diversity in many areas such as socio-economic, racial, rural versus urban. The scope of the opioid epidemic hit me immediately as well as the need for improved access to care. I have noted some similarities between Louisville and other places that I have trained but one of the key differences is the intense pride that so many Louisville natives feel for their city and their neighborhoods.

MN: You are part of the Health Enterprises Network Healthcare Fellows Class of 2021 – what has been your biggest take away from the sessions so far?

EM: My biggest take away has been the need for continued conversation and collaboration. There are many similarities and intersections in the work that we are doing but if we work in silos, the ability for us to make an impact is lessened. This program has taught me the need to reach out to strike up conversation for change. 

MN: What’s the best advice you ever received? Who gave it to you? 

EM: My father told me that the only person who loses when you don’t dream big enough is you. 

MN: Who are your heroes in healthcare?

EM: My healthcare heroes are some of my mentors. Dr. Amy Autry who is program director at the University of California San Francisco obstetrics and gynecology program who showed me how to be the master educator. Dr. Dana Gossett chair at New York University who taught me how to think about the big picture. Dr. Brenda Latham Sadler from Wake Forest University who taught me how to advocate for change even when it seemed impossible.