Dr. Tammis Sholin Miller Fund: A Legacy of Love

Family members remember Dr. Miller for her compassionate nature: "...Her humanity, seeing and treating everyone as an equal, a fellow human being...her sense of humor... 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."
April 17, 2014

Leo James graduated from Hillhouse High School - 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 got the chance to fulfill his dream at Southern Connecticut State University, thanks in part to a scholarship from the Dr. Tammis Sholin Miller Fund.


Dr. Miller graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1980 and practiced with the Bristol, CT pediatric center before moving to New Haven, CT. Until she became terminally ill with cervical cancer, she worked as a pediatrician at The Cornell Scott Health Corporation (formerly the Hill Health Center) and was an active member of the New Haven Adolescent AIDS Task Force. She was also the head consultant of New Haven Healthy Start, a program of The Community Foundation that strives to reduce infant mortality in the City of New Haven.


Eleven days before her death, at age 39, Dr. Miller created a will and named The Community Foundation as a beneficiary. Per her wishes, a fund was established with $25,000 from her estate and additional memorial gifts from family and friends.

Family members remember Dr. Miller for her compassionate nature: "...Her humanity, seeing and treating everyone as an equal, a fellow human being...her sense of humor... 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." Dr. Miller's generous spirit now lives forever through her scholarship fund.

If you would like to establish a scholarship fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, or contribute to the Dr. Tammis Sholin Miller Fund, please contact Deb Wright at 203-777-7073 or make a gift to the Fund online.