Board honors work of Dr. Robert Miller

The Arkansas State Board of Health recently honored the life and work of Dr. Robert Miller of Helena with a special resolution.
In every sense of the word, Miller, a former member of the board himself, was considered a public healthcare pioneer in the state. He broke many barriers for African Americans.
He was the first African American on staff at the Helena hospital and the first African American to serve as chief of staff of that hospital.
Miller was also the first African American to serve on the Arkansas Board of Health, the first African American doctor in Helena and the first African American to serve as mayor of the City of Helena.
The doctor gave freely and generously of his time to help improve the way of life in his community and the state of Arkansas. He was devoted to improving education and helping youngsters in underserved communities. He also was involved with KIPP Delta.
“Dr. Miller was a dedicated public servant in the effort to reduce health disparities for the citizens of Helena /W. Helena. His pioneering efforts should never be forgotten,” commented state Health Board member Dr. Susan Ward–Jones.
The resolution states, “Dr. Miller represented the spirit of public service through his dedication to public health and tireless efforts in donating his time and expertise by treating and caring for the most needy in the Delta without compensation or monetary reward.
“…History has traced the achievements made by committed public health doctors in the context of changing political, economic and social factors. From the ravages of yellow fever in 1878 through the scourge of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and the all too many lives cut too short from heart disease and stroke as a direct result of tobacco consumption, dedicated public doctors like Dr. Miller have remained vigilant and diligent in their efforts to prevent and eliminate disease.”
Miller died in his Helena-West Helena home on May 10.