Louisville Medicine Volume 65, Issue 9 | Page 12

IN REMEMBRANCE

In Remembrance FRANK MILLER , MD May 17 , 1944 – December 23 , 2017

Dr . Frank Miller passed away on December 23 , 2017 after a progressive downhill course for the past five years . Frank was from North Vernon , Ind . He was one of 11 children in a remarkably accomplished family . He attained both his undergraduate ( mathematics ) and medical degrees from Indiana University . Following a rotating internship at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn , he entered the armed forces as a surgeon during the Vietnam War . Post-service , he resumed training in surgery at the University of Louisville . After completion of residency in 1977 , he spent several years in various stints in private practice , and one year in a faculty position with his late friend , Dr . Robert Fulton in Reno , Nev . In 1984 , he was recruited to the full-time faculty at the University of Louisville because of his obvious surgical skills and innate gifts as a teacher .

For those of us who knew Frank ( and he had countless friends ), he was easy to describe : kind , giving , generous in all aspects , but especially in spirit . He was fun-loving and likable , but also hyper-competitive in his golf or poker games . He was rarely raucous with his wit , but had a mischievous sense of humor and matching grin .
Frank never seemed to care about accolades , and he had no false modesty in that regard despite a career filled with accomplishments . It is impossible for us to really convey the “ essence ” of Frank in words , for there were many dualities in his life .
On a personal note , he was totally devoted to his soulmate , Pat Hunt , for over 40 years , but they never lived together or married despite his absolute commitment to her . He loved his hometown and family deeply , and considered Louisville his true home in adulthood . He had a wanderlust about travel and that , coupled with a strong desire to “ give back ,” led him to serve in medical missions in eight different countries , including a year ’ s stay in Ghana .
Frank never considered himself a major academic leader , yet he was the Chief of Trauma for years at University Hospital , as well as Division Chief of General Surgery . He was a member of the important learned societies within General Surgery and was President of the Jefferson County Medical Society from 1995-1996 . He chaired the Kentucky Committee of Trauma and was a major national trauma leader . He authored or co-authored 89 peer-reviewed papers and 10 book chapters .
Though Frank was not one to wear his faith on his sleeve , he cared deeply about his fellow man . He carried the Bible verse “ to whom much is given , much is expected ” to heart daily . Thus , he not only did mission trips , but had numerous foreign visitors in his home to aid them in knowledge to take to their native countries . His foreign visits were not “ hit and run ” of one or two weeks , but often months to a year . Likewise , his long service to the underserved in Louisville was a constant . He was very active in Clothe-A-Child and a member of it ’ s board .
Frank was a surgeon ’ s surgeon and a great teacher of students and residents , which led to an incomparable 10 teaching awards . Yet the real unforgettable aspects of his persona were his personal qualities , which cannot be accurately articulated . Those who had the honor of knowing Frank will never forget him . The ripple effect of his life on others will last for decades through his impact on patients , partners , students and residents . Godspeed our dear friend in your eternal peace .
- Dr . J . David Richardson and Dr . Kelly M . McMasters
Dr . Miller was a GLMS member for 35 years and a GLMS past president in 1995-1996
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