Meet Our Surgeon

Maj. Charles Miller, MD
U.S. Army

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?

I lost my mother to brain cancer when I was 13 years old. That early loss inspired me to become a doctor, but it was not until I was a medical school student rotating on the neurosurgery service that I found my calling. The anatomical complexity and the mystery of the underlying function of the of the central nervous system in addition to the lives of the patients and families we work with inspired me to pursue neurosurgery.
 

What is your area of expertise, and what do you enjoy most about your work?

I completed my residency in neurological surgery and then completed two additional years in specialty training in Vascular Neurosurgery (open and endovascular) and Skull Base Neurosurgery. I treat all vascular lesions including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and strokes. I also treat complex brain tumors including astrocytomas, meningiomas, schwannomas, and pituitary tumors. My favorite part of the job is when my patient returns to my clinic for their post op visit with a smile on their face.
 

How do you ensure a positive patient experience in your care?

A positive patient experience starts before the patient enters my office. Their interaction with the healthcare system, their ability to obtain timely clinic appointments, and their interaction with our front staff all affect how they perceive me as their physician. While I can’t control everything leading up to our interaction, I can make sure that everything afterwards runs efficiently. That is why I value a team-based approach to any healthcare decision. That team involves the patient, their family, me as their neurosurgeon, my surgical team, and all the other medical specialties and ancillary staff involved in their care. I truly believe we have the best team around and will make sure you get the highest quality care.
 

Can you share a memorable moment or success story from your practice?

We treat some of the most complex pathology involving the brain and spine. Often our patients are very nervous at our first clinic appointment because they do not want to hear the word “surgery” regarding their brain or spine. Our goal is to be successful in every case. For some, that may mean reducing back pain from a 9/10 to a 3/10 or removing a benign brain tumor and never having to worry about it again. For others, that means removing a cancerous tumor and giving them more precious time with their family.  Success is defined by the patient not the doctor.
 

What are your interests outside of work?

When I am not performing neurosurgery my wife and I are barely meeting the demands of our three young children, a boy and twin boy/girl toddlers.  If I ever have a moment to myself, I enjoy running, golfing, and reading historical novels or biographies.