People of AMPATH: Megan Miller, associate director of the AMPATH Consortium

Megan Miller has successfully championed AMPATH and the IU Center for Global Health to a local, national and international network of supporters and donors. In mid-April, Miller will transition to a new position at the University of Wisconsin, but her commitment to AMPATH remains strong.

Megan Miller

“I have been with the IU Center for Global Health for almost 13 years, and it has been an amazing and rewarding journey. The absolute best part of my job has been the people I have met and worked with to grow this amazing partnership. The shared passion, dedication and energy from everyone involved in AMPATH and the Center has been unlike anything I have ever experienced,” said Miller. “Thank you for all you’ve done to support AMPATH and my journey.”

Miller is the associate director of the AMPATH Consortium and Indiana University Center for Global Health and served as the director of development and communications before transitioning to her current role in 2017. During her tenure, she helped raise more than $150 million in financial contributions and product donations from corporations, foundation and individuals, and has grown endowed support for IU’s global health programs to more than $15 million.

“To say that Megan has been a tremendous asset to the Center for Global Health is a huge understatement. Megan’s leadership and incredible talent and energy have allowed AMPATH and the Center to thrive over the last 13 years,” said Adrian Gardner, MD, MPH, director of the IU Center for Global Health and executive director of the AMPATH Consortium. “I’m certainly hopeful that we will be able to continue to rely on her knowledge and advice in the future, but I’m also excited for Megan and the new opportunities that lie ahead for her.”

Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo, AMPATH executive director for care, recalled a trip that exemplified Megan’s leadership, “One day Megan drove Bob Einterz, Joe Mamlin, Dr. Laktabai and me from Indianapolis to Chicago and back for a very important meeting.  As usual, behind the wheel she was calm and wore a confident demeanor. That is how I know Megan and how she has steered AMPATH activities.  Megan we wish you the very best.  We will miss you in the AMPATH family,” he added.

In addition to raising funds, Miller serves as the administrative leader for the AMPATH Consortium, IU Center for Global Health and the Indiana Institute for Global Health in Indiana and Kenya. She has helped lead the exploration of new partnerships and built relationships with civic and corporate leaders around the world.

Miller with colleagues Beryl Maritim and Frankie Akute

Miller “kisses” a giraffe during one of her trips to Kenya.

Bob Einterz, MD, one of AMPATH’s founders and the founding director of the IU Center for Global Health lauded Miller’s ability to create relationships and solve difficult problems. “There was not a day I worked in the Center for Global Health that I did not look forward to working with her. Her high level of competence and pleasant demeanor are second to none. I gave her the most difficult of tasks—developing respectful and productive relationships with a variety of individuals—and she performed marvelously, emerging from meetings and conversations having persuaded them to do whatever she was asking of them,” Dr. Einterz said. “Megan was my ‘go-to’ person whenever I was faced with difficult challenges or perplexing problems. I valued her equanimity, common sense and clear thinking. Though she worked in the shadow of bigger personalities, her fingerprints can be found in nearly every facet of AMPATH, the AMPATH Consortium, and the Indiana University Center for Global Health. Indiana University owes her a great debt of gratitude.”

Miller is relocating to Madison, Wisconsin this summer due to some happy life changes and will be the administrative director of the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. The program oversees a $500 million endowment to improve the public health needs of Wisconsin and reduce health disparities through initiatives in research, education and community partnerships.

“I’m excited about the opportunity and the many ways it intersects with my passion for health equity and the experiences I have gained here at IU,” said Miller. “I am planning on staying involved with AMPATH and IU in as many ways as I can. Since I will not be fundraising in this new position, I would love to still help raise support for AMPATH and the Center however I can.”

“Kenya, AMPATH and IU will always be a huge part of my story and my heart,” Miller added.