James Q. Miller
Encyclopedia
James Q. Miller, MD was an American neurologist and educator in neurology based at the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his medical degree from the Columbia in New York City. He was one of the first neurology residents at the Department of Neurology of the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville, Virginia. He received additional training in neuropathology, genetics, and child neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital
in Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Air Force and served as a physician at the base in Newfoundland, Canada.
.
He established the first cytogenetics laboratory in Virginia. In this capacity, he established statewide screening programs for sickle cell disease and heritable neurological disease. One of his early papers was his description of two siblings with lissencephaly
, now known by the eponym Miller-Dieker syndrome
.
Although his main early interests were in neurogenetics and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system, he maintained activities in most of the subspecialty fields of neurology. In collaboration with his colleague Fritz E. Dreifuss
, he helped maintain a system of field clinics administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Child Neurology Program. Although the emphasis was on epilepsy, patients with a wide range of neurological disorders were served. Three Appalachian field clinics in Tazewell, Wise, and Bristol, Virginia continue to be staffed by University of Virginia neurologists.
He established one of the early comprehensive multiple sclerosis
programs and was highly active in promoting research and participating in regional and national support groups and educatory efforts for multiple sclerosis
patients. In his honor, the current multiple sclerosis program at the University of Virginia
is entitled the “James Q. Miller Center for Multiple Sclerosis”.
and to the state Council on Medical Education. He received the Robley Dunglison Award, an award presented annually by U.Va medical students in recognition of teaching excellence, a record 3 times, and was also a recipient of the University-wide Harrison Teaching Award, the American Academy of Neurology
's A.B. Baker Award, and the American Neurological Association
's Distinguished Teacher Award. His publications include a program of teaching tapes available for self-study for medical students and the study-aide Neurology Recall.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Early life and education
He was born James Quinter Miller in Ohio. His undergraduate education was at Haverford CollegeHaverford College
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...
near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his medical degree from the Columbia in New York City. He was one of the first neurology residents at the Department of Neurology of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in Charlottesville, Virginia. He received additional training in neuropathology, genetics, and child neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
in Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Air Force and served as a physician at the base in Newfoundland, Canada.
Clinical Practice and Research
In 1962 he was hired as a faculty neurologist at the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
He established the first cytogenetics laboratory in Virginia. In this capacity, he established statewide screening programs for sickle cell disease and heritable neurological disease. One of his early papers was his description of two siblings with lissencephaly
Lissencephaly
Lissencephaly, which literally means smooth brain, is a rare brain formation disorder caused by defective neuronal migration during the 12th to 24th weeks of gestation, resulting in a lack of development of brain folds and grooves . It is a form of cephalic disorder...
, now known by the eponym Miller-Dieker syndrome
Miller-Dieker syndrome
Miller–Dieker syndrome , also called Miller–Dieker lissencephaly syndrome and chromosome 17p13.3 deletion syndrome, is an autosomal dominant congenital disorder characterized by a developmental defect of the brain, caused by incomplete neuronal migration.This syndrome should not be confused with...
.
Although his main early interests were in neurogenetics and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system, he maintained activities in most of the subspecialty fields of neurology. In collaboration with his colleague Fritz E. Dreifuss
Fritz E. Dreifuss
Fritz E. Dreifuss, MD was a German-born, American neurologist and subspecialist in epilepsy based at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.- Early life :He was born in Dresden, Germany...
, he helped maintain a system of field clinics administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Child Neurology Program. Although the emphasis was on epilepsy, patients with a wide range of neurological disorders were served. Three Appalachian field clinics in Tazewell, Wise, and Bristol, Virginia continue to be staffed by University of Virginia neurologists.
He established one of the early comprehensive multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
programs and was highly active in promoting research and participating in regional and national support groups and educatory efforts for multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
patients. In his honor, the current multiple sclerosis program at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
is entitled the “James Q. Miller Center for Multiple Sclerosis”.
Leadership in Neurology Education
The main focus of Miller’s career was in the development of methods of medical student education in neurology. His interests lead to his appointment as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and to the state Council on Medical Education. He received the Robley Dunglison Award, an award presented annually by U.Va medical students in recognition of teaching excellence, a record 3 times, and was also a recipient of the University-wide Harrison Teaching Award, the American Academy of Neurology
American Academy of Neurology
The American Academy of Neurology is a professional society for neurologists and neuroscientists. As a medical specialty society it was established in 1949 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the art and science of neurology, and thereby promote the best possible care for...
's A.B. Baker Award, and the American Neurological Association
American Neurological Association
The American Neurological Association, is a professional society with a mission of educating neurologists and physicians as well as increasing knowledge and enhancing treatment of diseases of the nervous system. It was founded in June 1875.-Officers:...
's Distinguished Teacher Award. His publications include a program of teaching tapes available for self-study for medical students and the study-aide Neurology Recall.