Department News

Pediatric ophthalmology specialist honored for humanitarian service to children around the world – and at home in Illinois

The American Academy of Ophthalmology bestowed the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award, one its highest honors, on Marilyn T. Miller MS, MD, clinical professor and member of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Service and Adult Strabismus Service, at its annual meeting in October 2005.

Miller was recognized for her selfless dedication to reducing blindness worldwide. Her international contributions to pediatric eye care date back to 1982 when she first volunteered in a rural eye clinic at the Mercy Hospital Eye Center in Abak, Nigeria. She has returned almost every year since then to donate her services and is president of the organization that established and supports the Abak clinic and teaching center, the Chicago-based Foreign Ophthalmologic Care from the U.S (FOCUS).

Active in training and education programs to prevent blindness in developing countries sponsored by the World Health Organization and others, Miller mentors young pediatric ophthalmologists around the world. She has lectured and attended blindness prevention meetings in India, China, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Brazil, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Morocco, Bangladesh and Libya.

Dr. Marilyn Miller pictured with some of her patients from Mercy Hospital in Abak, Nigeria. Dr. Miller works as a volunteer through FOCUS, a non-sectarian charitable corporation providing vital medical and surgical ophthalmic services and support in areas of extreme need by recruiting volunteer physicians, collecting donated medical supplies, and raising money to fund its work.

Her numerous appointments attest to the influence Miller has earned as an advocate for eradicating blindness throughout the world. “There is no better goodwill ambassador to the entire world for American ophthalmology, and pediatric ophthalmology in particular,” says a colleague. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and its International Advisory Committee, and she in as AAO representative to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. She has chaired the International Committee of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) since 1989, and she is a past chair of the AAO Committee on International Ophthalmology.

The AAPOS and Women in Ophthalmology nominated Miller for one of two Outstanding Humanitarian Service Awards presented by AAO president Susan H. Day MD at the annual meetings opening ceremonies.

At home Miller participates in children’s health fairs to help ensure that children in Illinois have access to quality eye care. She has served for many years on the Medical Advisory Board for the Division of Specialized Care for Children, on the Medical Advisory Committee of the Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired, and on the board of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness.

In recognition of her devotion to the children of Illinois for over 30 years, Illinois First Lady Patty Blagojevich presented Miller with the Governor’s PATH Award during the October 2004 AAO meeting.

PATH stands for People Are Today’s Heroes. Governor Rod Blagojevich established the PATH Award to recognize groups or individuals who, through their hard work and commitment, have improved the lives of people in their community in the areas of health care, public safety, education and economic development.

“The extraordinary commitment Dr. Miller has made over 30 years to help children deserves recognition because of the everlasting impact she has made on their lives. Dr. Miller has been involved in anything and everything having to do with children’s eye care,” said Mrs. Blagojevich. “She is one of today’s heroes to many Illinois families.”

Miller’s past awards include “Outstanding Woman of the Year Award” from Prevent Blindness America; “Best Doctor Award” from Chicago’s Caring Physician; and, “Outstanding Woman of the Year” from Women in Ophthalmology.

Miller is modest when it comes to such awards. “I hope that any recognition I may receive will encourage young ophthalmologists to volunteer and contribute to their own communities and to the many communities around the world that need their help,” she says.