FEATURE
OPERATING ROOM SUITES AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL
Dedicated and Named in Honor of Frank B.
Miller, MD
Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD
P
ositive news about events at the
University of Louisville (UofL)
and its hospital is long overdue.
Most readers would know that
the hospital has been separated
from KentuckyOne, is thriving, and morale
has much improved. A critical focal point
for this was the decision by Kelly McMasters,
MD, PhD, to dedicate the Operating Room Suites at the University
Hospital in the name of Frank B. Miller, MD, Past-President of the
Greater Louisville Medical Society, longtime Professor of Surgery at
UofL, and a uniquely honored and appreciated teacher. In addition
to the substantial naming piece above the entry, there is also a plaque
with an appropriate picture of Dr. Miller. Many readers know Frank
was quite ill of Alzheimer’s disease in the last few years of his life
and must now have some peace in a mind that had been tortured about Frank Miller’s life that are under-appreciated. He graduated
from the Indiana University School of Medicine but even before he
graduated, he took some time to participate in missionary medical
service overseas. He completed an internship at Kings County
Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., then went on to a
military career in Vietnam that he tended to hide more than he
should have. Many people at his funeral service realized for the
first time that he had received the Bronze Star, a valor award (for
heroic service in a combat zone) the United States Army does not
give out lightly. He never wanted to talk about that, and I can shed
no light on it at this point. Frank then joined the residency at UofL
in 1973, having decided that he wanted to practice General Surgery.
He had heard we were able to make some changes in the program
at Louisville General Hospital and at the University, which was the
important turning point in our program.
through that illness. The further bit of good news is the steady growth
of information about cerebral function, developing insights about
the Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s/Dementia disease spectrum; with that
much studying emphasis, there may well be real progress. statement, as would be most of the other accomplishments of his
life. His comradery with his colleagues was close and important,
and as he continued to be for much of his life, he was the glue that
held the Department of Surgery together. Many readers of this piece
have benefited directly from Frank Miller’s unique capacity to teach,
explain, charm, and invigorate the thoughts of many hundreds of
Despite his unique role in teaching students, residents and other
faculty members during his time in Louisville, there are a few spots
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
To say Frank was an exemplary resident would be an under-