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Thoracic Expert Brings Video-Assisted Surgeries to Southcoast

In the few months since he joined Southcoast Hospitals, thoracic surgeon Richard Miller, MD, has already made a big impact on the life of at least one lung cancer patient. At age 73, Lillian Connor, an active grandmother who loves to dance, is now a lung cancer survivor for the second time.

Smaller Incisions Mean Less Pain, Excellent Results

Connor said it took her many painful months to recover from her first successful surgery nine years ago. This time, because Dr. Miller was able to operate using a camera inserted through a much smaller surgical incision, she’s feeling “just wonderful” barely eight weeks later.

“When I had the lobe removed from the left side, it left a big scar. Half my back is a scar!” Connor said. “But with Dr. Miller, the scar on the right is the length of a finger.” She said the smaller surgery site gave her less pain, too. “Because of the way Dr. Miller operated, I was able to put the pain medication aside sooner. Every day I could feel myself getting better.”

Surgical Excellence Close to Home

In addition to lung cancer treatment, Dr. Miller provides expertise in esophageal and other types of noncardiac surgery in the chest cavity. He is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and is currently the only surgeon focusing on noncardiac thoracic procedures in the South Coast region.

Dr. Miller is pleased to bring newer, less-invasive thoracic procedures to Southcoast so that patients like Connor can receive the latest surgical techniques closer to home. “Travel is another disruption at an already difficult time,” Dr. Miller said. “I’m glad to be a part of expanding the hospital’s services.”

Connor is glad, too — both that regular checkups caught the latest lesion, and that Dr. Miller was there to help. “He has a very compassionate way about him,” she said. “And, I’m already back to dancing.”