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Jack and Goldie Miller
with Brian Popko, PhD, the first Jack
Miller Professor and Director of the Jack
Miller Center for Peripheral Neuropathy. |
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In true form, Jack Miller, founder
of Quill Corporation, took the lead to make something
happen. Motivated by the necessity for better treatment
approaches and an eventual cure for peripheral neuropathy,
he established the Jack
Miller Center for Peripheral Neuropathy at
the University of Chicago.
Jack’s generous gift, made
through the Audrey and Jack Miller Family Charitable
Foundation, enabled the University’s Department
of Neurology to expand its existing neuropathy clinic
and its search for a cause and a cure for this little
known disease.
Several years ago, suffering from
pain in his feet, Jack was diagnosed with idiopathic
neuropathy. After visiting various hospitals across
the United States in search of the right neuropathy
specialist, he met Raymond P. Roos, MD, Professor
and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at the
University of Chicago.
“Dr. Roos took the time to
explain what was known about peripheral neuropathy
and especially how much was not known,” Jack
said. It is estimated that more than 20 million Americans
have peripheral neuropathy. The condition results
from injury to peripheral nerves that relay information
to and from muscles, internal organs and skin to the
spinal cord. The symptoms often depend on the type
of peripheral nerve affected and can range from sensation
of persistent pain or numbness to disruption of movement
and balance.
“I knew something needed
to be done to increase the understanding of this disease,
and Dr. Roos agreed,” said Jack. “He thought
the University of Chicago offered the scientific environment
to move forward on a search for a cure.”
It was Jack’s impetus and
generosity that enabled the University of Chicago
to recruit a scientist to concentrate on the study
of peripheral neuropathy. In 2002, Brian Popko, PhD,
was named the first Jack Miller Professor and Director
of the Jack Miller Center for Peripheral Neuropathy.
Dr. Popko now heads a team of 15 scientists and physicians
concentrating on the study of the condition.
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