About Nicholas
As a perfusionist, Dr. Miller manages the physiological and metabolic needs of Valley View’s cardiac surgical patients, so that the surgeons of the Heart & Vascular Center may operate on a still, non-beating heart during certain procedures. Dr. Miller is responsible for the management of circulatory and respiratory functions of a patient, allowing Valley View’s cardiac surgeons to focus on the actual surgical procedure and less on the immediate needs of a patient. This is accomplished through the utilization of the heart-lung machine, as well as its associated components of an oxygenator, filters, reservoirs, and tubing. Prior to his role at Valley View, Dr. Miller lived and worked in California at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and was the former chief clinical perfusionist at St. Helena Medical Center and Emanuel Medical Center. Dr. Miller graduated with honors from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh with a BS in perfusion technology and went on to earn an MS in health science and a Ph.D. in cardiopathophysiology from Suffield University/UPMC in Pittsburgh in 2002. He completed his internship at Duke University in North Carolina. Dr. Miller also has an MS in biochemistry from UC-Berkeley and is an honorary member of Mensa International and the National Honors Society. During his personal time, Dr. Miller enjoys spending time with his family and exploring all the Colorado Western Slope has to offer.
