Jacob “Jake” N. Miller, DO, FAAP (he/him/his)
Hi! I’m Jake, a third-year fellow at Northwestern who has the privilege of learning from incredible endocrinologists at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. My path to pediatric endocrinology was rather long and winding. I began my studies in public health at the University of Rochester where my interest in the prevention of disease naturally led me to pediatrics. Before medical school, I had the honor of serving in AmeriCorps’ National Health Corps for 2 service years as a care coordinator at a drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness. It was there that I discovered how rewarding caring for gender-diverse youth could be. I studied at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and while there found the intuitive nature of feedback loops intriguing, but ultimately continued on the path to being an adolescent medicine specialist.
During my pediatrics residency training at the University of South Florida, I came to a few important realizations. I loved well child visits, particularly reviewing growth and development, while building trust with families over a long period of time. I found joy in taking care of children of all ages, not just teenagers! And while I did not want to be in the hospital full-time, I greatly enjoyed inpatient work and the collaborative nature of working as a team to diagnose and care for children with more complex and acute medical problems. I searched for a specialty that would allow me to continue my passion of working with gender-diverse youth that had elements of each of these prior experiences and found that endocrinology was the perfect fit. My residency program offered a unique weekly clinic in 2nd and 3rd year that allowed me to explore a specialty more in depth. After a short time working with Dr. Dorothy Shulman, I knew endocrinology was the right choice for me.
My professional interests clinically lie in general endocrinology, particularly in puberty. My current research project focuses on improving resident physician’s knowledge of normal and abnormal puberty and increasing their comfort performing SMR breast examinations by utilizing novel simulated task-trainer models. In addition, I am deeply dedicated to education, and I enjoy teaching both medical students and residents. I am part of a formal medical-education program at Northwestern, and one day aspire to be a teacher as impactful as those who have taught me!
I would be remiss in not taking a moment to recognize and lift up those who believed in and invested in me throughout this years’ long journey. Thank you to Dr. Liz Miller and Joanne
Goodall, CRNP at Children’s Hospital of UPMC; I will forever be thankful to you both for teaching me how to lead with empathy and trust, as I learned to care for teens most in need. Dr. Sharon Dabrow, my residency Program Director, guided me through my decision to be an Endocrinologist and fostered my passion for graduate medical education. Dr. Reema Habiby , who is our Division Head, Fellowship Director, as well as my research mentor, has been an incredible role model for me throughout my fellowship. She leads the division with respect and a genuine care for every person in our division, fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment. As I look toward the future, I aspire to become a residency or fellowship program director—someone who can inspire and cultivate the kind of supportive, inclusive culture that she has so powerfully modeled.
Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my co-fellows, as well as the incredible team of diabetes and endocrine nurses, genetic counselors, psychologists, and dietitians. Over the past three years, each of you has played a vital role in shaping me into a better physician, and I am deeply thankful for the knowledge, collaboration, and compassion you’ve shared.