Miles Named Minnesotan of the Year

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Jonell Rusinko, Academic Health Center, 612-624-5680
             Molly Portz, Academic Health Center, 612-625-2640

U OF M PROFESSOR NAMED “MINNESOTAN OF THE YEAR”
BY MINNESOTA MONTHLY MAGAZINE

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Dec. 21, 2004) -- Steve Miles, M.D., professor of medicine and member of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota, was named “Minnesotan of the Year” in the January issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine.  Miles was recognized for his work on the failure of Abu Ghraib prison medical staff to carry out their duties within the framework of the Geneva Convention and other human rights standards which adversely affected the treatment of prisoners.  In addition, Miles was acknowledged for more than 20 years of significant achievements in his diverse study of research and political reform.

“We are proud to recognize Doctor Miles for his many important contributions to Minnesota, as well as the world, said Jeff Johnson, editor, Minnesota Monthly.  “His tireless reform work has benefited many people across the globe.”      

After reviewing media reports and available government documents pertaining to Abu Ghraib, Miles called public attention to the failings of medical personnel in Iraq’s detention centers and called for international reforms. Key failings of medical staff include: failure to maintain medical records, conduct routine medical examinations, and provide proper care of disabled or injured detainees. Medical personnel and medical information was also used to design and implement psychologically and physically coercive interrogations. Death certificates and medical records were falsified.

Additionally, Miles has been active in state and national health care reform and played an instrumental role in advocating for passage of MinnesotaCare, publicly subsidized health care assistance programs. He served on President Clinton's Bioethics Working Group on Health Care Reform. He has received career grants from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Pew Foundation, and the Open Society’s Institutes’ Project on Death in America.

Miles’ international work includes 25 years of work with the American Refugee Committee, including AIDS prevention in Sudan, and service as chief medical officer for 45,000 refugees on the Thai-Cambodian border. He has taught in several countries; in Cuba he helped develop medical school curriculum. He chairs the human subjects research committee of the Minnesota Center for Victims of Torture. Miles has published on tuberculosis treatment in refugee camps, physicians and hunger strikes in Turkey, AIDS prevention in Sudan, traditional surgeons in Africa, and other topics.

He has served as President of the American Association of Bioethics and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities.

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.

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