Sholin Miller Fund Helps Defray Cost of Tuition for Athlete Leader

Dr. Robert Windom (Pediatrician at the Cornell Scott Center) and Mrs. Muriel Sholin Miller (Tammis' mother) are members of the Advisory Committee that determines scholarship recipients.

Leo James graduated from Hillhouse High School last year - 8th in his class of 214 seniors and Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was a member of the football team and the Young Men's Leadership Social Group and was inducted into both the National Spanish Honor and National Honor Societies. In an essay entitled God's Warrior, Leo had this to say about his dreams for the future, "...my career goal is to be a social worker because I want to help others, reach out to others, and talk to them about values and life's lessons. I will continue listening to God and I am willing to be his gifted warrior."

Leo is getting the chance to fulfill his dream at Southern Connecticut State University this year, thanks in part to a scholarship from the Dr. Tammis Sholin Miller Fund. Dr. Miller worked as a pediatrician at Hill Health Center (now The Cornell Scott Health Corporation) until being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Knowing that she was terminally ill, Dr. Miller created a will on January 3, 1995 and named The Community Foundation as a beneficiary. She died eleven days later on January 14 at the young age of 39. Per Dr. Miller's wishes, a fund was established with $25,000 from her estate and additional memorial gifts from family and friends. The Fund is advised by committee; her mother and brother are members.

At her eulogy, Dr. Miller was remembered by family for her "...humanity, seeing and treating everyone as an equal, a fellow human being...her sense of humor...[and] her willingness to give of herself - to be there for her friends, her colleagues, her patients and her family - to listen to them and to help."  Given Leo's goals for the future, it seems befitting that he would be chosen to receive a scholarship from Dr. Miller's Fund.

The fund provides scholarships for pediatric patients of Hill Health Center.

Like Dr. Miller and others, you or someone you know can create a lasting legacy through a permanent endowment that benefits the community for generations. To learn more, please contact Angela Powers at apowers@cfgnh.org or 203-777-7068.

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