Ottumwa Native Dr. Eric Miller Joins Mahaska Health Partnership
Eric Miller, DO
MAHASKA COUNTY – Family Practice Physician Eric Miller, DO, has joined the Mahaska Health Partnership Medical Group.
“I’ve known from a young age that I wanted to have a career in some type of medicine,” Dr. Miller said. “My mother is a Pediatrician in Ottumwa so I grew up watching her interacting with patients and their families during hospital rounds on the weekends or out and about in the community.
“I like the idea of an old fashioned country doctor. A person who knows a family’s history and cares for them through every stage of life,” Dr. Miller shared.
Dr. Miller developed an appreciation for small towns growing up on a farm outside Ottumwa. “My dad is a farmer and sells fertilizer. I’m familiar with the lifestyle of the area and I’m excited to join the Oskaloosa community. I was an Eagle scout as a kid so I hope to volunteer with the Boy Scout organization once my wife, Anna, and I get settled,” Dr. Miller explained.
As a recipient of the Rural Medicine Education Pathway Scholarship from Des Moines University, Dr. Miller committed to providing primary care in a small rural community. “I knew I wanted family medicine and I wanted to stay in Iowa in a smaller community, similar to where I grew up. Oskaloosa is the perfect size and we love the historical elements of the town.”
“Dr. Miller’s addition to the Medical Group brings us to 20 providers on our Oskaloosa campus providing primary care,” MHP CEO Jay Christensen said. “Through the recent additions of Dr. Bonnett and Family Nurse Practitioner Jen Scott, we’ve made significant strides in improving access to timely appointments in Oskaloosa. We’re still recruiting and planning for the future but our ability to attract young, new talent to our community is a win for our patients.”
As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Miller has received advanced training in osteopathic manipulative treatment. “I have the same medical training as an MD but the DO program adds the additional element of manipulative treatment,” Dr. Miller expanded. “Manipulation involves a full body assessment and might include stretching, pressure and resistance. It is a good tool for helping patients with asthma, sinus disorders, carpal tunnel and migraines.
“As a family doctor I want to do all I can to help my patients feel better,” Dr. Miller said. “I have a very relaxed personality and think my calm demeanor helps put patients at ease.
“I’m more of a listener than a talker. I want my patients to have an opportunity to explain themselves and tell me their story. Since I’m from the area I think that gives me a baseline for the typical lifestyle in Mahaska County. Understanding a person’s medical and social history helps me provide more well-rounded care.”
Dr. Miller is now accepting patients of all ages on the MHP campus in Oskaloosa. For an appointment, call 641.672.3360.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
