Wholeheartedly courageous and abundantly wise, Miller, Chief Learning Officer at Penn State Health, embodies the extraordinary strength of an individual who fought for her life, and who now remains fiercely dedicated to her mission of educating and inspiring others in the healthcare community and beyond.

Miller’s story is one of profound hope and a commitment to service.

Miller was 14 years old when she came down with recurrent illnesses and unexplainable bruises on her left leg. One day, she became so ill that her parents decided to take her to the hospital for further evaluation.

Within an hour of being at the hospital, she was admitted to the ICU.

Miller was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare, flesh-eating bacterial infection. Miller’s case was moving at an alarming rate up and down her leg, and doctors instantly began performing daily procedures.

At one point, doctors informed Miller’s family that amputation at the hip may be Hillary’s best chance to survive the fatal disease.

 Miller was transferred to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where she would spend nearly 60 days there fighting for her life.

“The majority of what I would consider my 8th grade year in school was in the hospital,” said Miller.

Miller received hyperbaric treatments and burn tank daily immersions to treat her open wounds that extended from her ankle to her hip. She also underwent skin graft surgeries to reconstruct her leg.

The treatments were a success. Not only were her doctors able to save her leg, but they also found a rare, underlying metabolic disorder that likely contributed to her developing necrotizing fasciitis.

“I didn't realize how sick I was at the time, and I didn't realize how serious my situation was until years later,” said Miller.

From re-learning how to walk, to finding inspiration and companionship in the other critically ill children in the hospital, Miller overcame the odds stacked against her.

Make-A-Wish also accompanied Miller in her recovery, and a trip of a lifetime gave her an experience to see the selflessness of strangers amidst a challenging time.

Miller’s local Make-A-Wish chapter, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana got in touch with Miller’s family at a time when they didn’t know if Hillary would recover. Miller was ultimately able to begin her wish discovery. When deciding her wish, she thought of the people who had gone through the sacrifices and journey alongside her-her family.

“Illness impacts your whole family and I didn't want a wish that was just for me. I wanted a wish that was for everyone because they all experienced it,” said Miller. “It was really hard with my brothers and dad having to stay home in Ohio while my mom was with me in Minnesota.”

She chose to wish to go to Disney World.

 “It is so much bigger than just being at Disney World,” said Miller. “When I think about Give Kids The World Village and all the things that they did on a daily basis it wasn't focused on just me. I greatly appreciated that because my brothers went through a lot. My mom and dad went through a lot.”

Miller appreciated every aspect of her wish experience, not just the big things. Most profoundly, Miller remembers how those involved in her wish made her feel as a teenager who was battling an illness.

“It was the little things from having stuffed animals put on your pillow and your condo, to ice cream, to having open frontline access to rides at Disney World and free meals, to people saying ‘we're so proud of you’ because you're wearing a badge that says you're a Make-A-Wish kid and the kindness not only of the Disney theme parks but really when we left the airport,” said Miller.

Miller reflected on the indescribable feelings that the acts of kindness did to her.

 “People I didn't even know were cheering us on. I can't even describe what that feels like, not only to feel that special, but the fact that my family was included in that meant a lot to me,” said Miller.

To her, it's what the organization is all about.

“That to me is really the power of Make-A-Wish is it shows humanity and people are so willing to help out another family in need and to put aside their own stuff,” said Miller. “Folks didn't have to come to the airports and send us off. We felt like celebrities. It didn't matter that we didn't know them.”

Miller saw firsthand the way the wish impacted not only her but also her parents and brothers.

“I think it brought our family closer, but it also gave them a break where we could just have some fun which mattered a lot,” said Miller. “My brothers have such a heightened awareness of illness and disability. They’re advocates, in their own right, because they've experienced themselves. I like to tell people that although Make-A-Wish is centered around the child, it's also really centered around the family.”
 

The organization kept in touch with Miller after her wish. Admiring the way she reached people, Miller was asked if she would like to be a speaker on behalf of the organization, which she accepted.

The organization created a domino effect in her life and gave her community and opportunities that continued beyond her trip.

“I got a Dale Carnegie scholarship, I was able to join Toastmasters with the support of Make-A-Wish, and so many other things,” said Miller. “It’s not like it ends just with your wish. You become a part of this network that's special.”

Becoming further intertwined in the network developed Miller into an even more service-minded individual.

“I don't take it lightly what people did for me, what my community in Ohio did for us,” said Miller. “I think the only way to create that karmic response is to give back yourself, and that looks like a lot of different things most of the time, it’s time. People are so willing to give that.”

For the past two years, Miller has served as the inaugural Chief Learning Officer at Penn State Health.

“I see my role as taking care of the employees so they can take care of the patients,” said Miller.

Miller’s unique position, having been a patient herself, helps her advocate and lead with empathy and wisdom.

“I know what it’s like to be a really sick person for an extended period of time and what it’s like to be on the other end,” Miller said. “I think that gives a lot of perspective.”

Miller’s role, which ranges from patient experience, supporting the growth and development of current employees, and energizing local communities in Pennsylvania to pursue a career in healthcare, is helping fulfill the mission of Penn State Health and taking care of Pennsylvanians.