New physician assistant working with neuro-oncology and neurosurgery patients

New hire

The Neuro-oncology and Neurosurgery Departments at the U of M recently welcomed Physician Assistant (PA) Katrina Miller, MS, to their team. In her new role, Miller is supporting neuro-oncology patients, working with Clark Chen, MD, PhD, and Matthew Hunt, MD, of the Neurosurgery Department; and Elizabeth Neil, MD, of Neurology. She is also working with oncology and hematology patients.

Miller previously worked in neuro-oncology as a scribe. “I loved the relationship you could have with the patients,” she said. “You got to be part of their most vulnerable moments and walk beside them, helping them along the way. There was nothing like it.”

Katrina Miller

Miller (pictured at left) completed her PA studies at Harding University in Searcy, AR; and earned her BS in neuroscience from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. As part of her studies, she completed PA rotations in different hospital and clinics throughout Arkansas and even one in Alaska. “I went to Alaska as part of an outreach program,” she said. “I spent six weeks in pediatrics…it was quite an experience. I was able to treat patients from all walks of life there. People would come from throughout Alaska to been seen by the doctor; some traveling by multiple modes of transportation just to get there.”

Miller also completed a rotation with the Pulmonology Department at the University of Minnesota, working in the clinic, ICU and on consults.

Having been raised in Minnesota, Miller is excited to be part of University of Minnesota Physicians because she has a longstanding history with the university. “I went to the clinics here since I was a child, so it’s familiar to me,” she explained. “I’m very excited to be part of the same system that has taken care of me for so long.”

Prior to joining the U, Miller was a medical scribe and assistant clinical research coordinator for epilepsy research at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology. Part of her new role will reconnect her with research. “I will help with clinical trials on the patient end of things,” she said.

In her spare time, Miller likes to be outside with friends and family, listen to music and do anything “artsy and crafty.”

Welcome, Katrina!