Dedication to the craft is something Lauren Miller (PA, 2008) has in spades. Miller is a highly accomplished physician assistant with a profound commitment to her field. Her journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, continuous learning, and a passion for improving patient care in dermatology.
She has done all this while initially overcoming a chronic bladder disorder that she was diagnosed with when she was 19 years old. Miller had to compose her schedule for three years to get classes done in the morning so she could rest in the afternoon. Going through that traumatic experience ultimately helped her find the right direction in life.
“Going through my own medical issues solidified for me wanting to go into medicine,” said Miller. “Everyone that took care of me made such a difference with how nice they were. They were kind and compassionate, and I realized how big of a deal that is in a patient’s journey to get better.”
Miller’s academic journey went through UAB when she honed her expertise by earning her master’s in physician assistant studies in 2008, distinguishing herself on the Dean’s List and serving as Class Vice-President.
Miller has now been in the field for over 15 years, currently working at Southern Skies Dermatology & Surgery in Oxford, Ala. Her roles have involved managing a wide range of dermatological conditions, specifically with a focus on inflammatory skin diseases, demonstrating her deep commitment to patient care and expertise in dermatology.
She additionally manages numerous roles in professional organizations. Miller has been instrumental in shaping the dermatology profession through her involvement with the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA), where she served in various capacities while working her way up to president of the SDPA from 2022 to 2023.
“I needed more to fill my cup,” stated Miller on her goal-driven attitude and always wanting more. “I have always had goals on my board I wanted to accomplish. I helped start our state society for physician assistants and nurse practitioners practicing in dermatology, and that pushed me to get involved on a national level with the SDPA.”
She now presently is a sitting board member of the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Director of APP Education at Dermsquared. Her leadership extends to founding and developing the Inflammatory Disease Summit, which is an exclusive learning opportunity for physician assistants and nurse practitioners to learn about the latest treatment options for inflammatory skin conditions. This well-attended debut showcases her initiative in creating ongoing educational opportunities for her peers.
Miller’s dedication to her goals and dermatology is also reflected in her extensive involvement with pharmaceutical advisory boards and speaker bureaus for leading companies like Abbvie, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer. Her contributions to research are significant, with numerous publications in esteemed journals. Notably, she co-authored studies on the efficacy and safety of treatments for atopic dermatitis and plaque psoriasis, providing valuable insights into longterm management strategies for these conditions.
Miller is an enthusiastic educator and is working on extending her reach by developing a peer mentoring program. She believes her ability to mentor and guide younger individuals looking to break into the field greatly aides their chances in finding their path.
“Leave the ladder down,” said Miller about her philosophy on mentoring. “When you get to where you want to be, you must leave the ladder down for the next person and lift them up. I have hit most of the goals that I wanted to hit, so now I can focus on helping those that are coming after me.”
