At Mindful Practice in Medicine/Flourishing in Medicine, we often speak about community, presence, and the long arc of professional formation in medicine. Occasionally, someone embodies these values so fully that their story becomes a teaching in itself. What follows is a reflection on generosity, legacy, and belief in the next generation of clinicians—written and inspired by psychiatrist Dr. Teresa R. Miller, whose commitment to mindful practice and physician well-being has helped shape a more sustainable future for this work.
In 2019, psychiatrist Teresa R. Miller, MD, attended the four-day Mindful Practice in Medicine retreat at Chapin Mill in Batavia, New York. Although she had long been a practitioner of mindfulness and advocated meditation as part of her approach to helping patients appreciate the mind–body connection, the retreat revealed something new: just how transformative this experience could be for her healthcare colleagues.
"Healthcare professionals from all over the world attend this annual in-person retreat, which allows them to bond with each other, share mutual challenges, and feel like they're in it together to help their patients," she says.
As she approached a stage in her career when questions of meaning and legacy naturally came into sharper focus, Dr. Miller began to consider how she might “pay forward” an experience that had been so formative. Making this retreat accessible to physicians early in their careers felt like a natural and deeply aligned way to do so.
"The Mindful Practice Retreat provides an opportunity to learn how to meditate, the importance of a diet emphasizing simply prepared fresh foods, and many other things one needs to do to be a healthy practitioner," she says. "I believe that if you're healthy in mind and body yourself as a physician, it's more likely that you'll be able to manage the stresses that come with a medical practice, and to help your patients learn those same important coping skills."
In 2024, Dr. Miller and her husband, John Goeke, established funds at both Upstate Medical University—where she attended medical school—and the University of Rochester—where she completed her psychiatry residency—to support psychiatry residents who wish to attend the retreat.
"I am grateful for my medical education at Upstate and residency training at Rochester that provided the foundation for a wonderful career," she says. "I can't imagine doing anything else."
Dr. Miller’s path to medicine began early. As a high school student, she loved science and was drawn to helping others through volunteer work at the Rome Developmental Center and Oneida City Hospital. Encouraged by her parents, she attended Wells College in Aurora, New York, before continuing on to Upstate for medical school. Although she initially pursued a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, she soon recognized what truly drew her to patient care.
"I transferred to the University of Rochester for a residency in psychiatry instead," she says.
After practicing for several years in the Rochester area, Dr. Miller and her husband settled on Cayuga Lake in Union Springs, near Wells College. There, she found a community in need.
"There is a paucity of psychiatrists in rural areas, and I wanted to serve a population that was no less deserving of thoughtful care," she says.
Today, Dr. Miller works part-time, offering a deeply integrative, mind–body approach to care.
"I've had many patients tell me that I'm the only physician who puts everything together for them," she says. "I take the time to review their physical conditions and lab studies, and I follow the research to help them attain the best health possible. We discuss sleep, exercise, meditation, a healthy diet, social interaction, and the importance of spending time in nature. I really enjoy it and will continue as long as I can."
Throughout her career, she has been supported by her husband’s partnership, including his role as office manager in her practice. John was equally committed to establishing the Dr. Teresa R. Miller Psychiatry Resident Wellness Fund at both institutions.
"By providing resources and support for psychiatry residents to cultivate mindfulness and prioritize their own wellness, we are not only investing in their individual well-being but also in the quality of care they will provide to their patients throughout their careers," he says. "At this point in our lives, it's nice to be able to see the results of our gift in action."
In 2025 alone, the endowment supported two psychiatry residents from Upstate and three residents from the University of Rochester (Strong Memorial Hospital) in attending the retreat. As the fund continues to grow, it will support even more residents who wish to participate.
Dr. Miller plans to contribute annually, recognizing the retreat as a particularly meaningful resource for third- and fourth-year residents.
"We hope that this will extend beyond the specialty of psychiatry," she says. "Taking care of yourself first is the best way to ensure that you will be able to take care of other people, regardless of which branch of medicine you choose."
To help secure the program’s future, Dr. Miller and Mr. Goeke have committed $250,000 over the next five years ($50,000 per year). This investment will allow the program’s founders to build the infrastructure and staffing needed to integrate Mindful Practice in Medicine more fully into the University of Rochester system and to support efforts to obtain additional funding. They also hope to inspire others who have participated in MPIM/FIM to join them, so that Drs. Krasner and Epstein can continue making these life-changing tools available to physicians and other healthcare professionals for years to come.
Looking Ahead
In the coming weeks, newsletter recipients will receive a follow-up message outlining ways to participate in this shared vision—transforming generosity into a collective investment in the long-term sustainability of MPIM/FIM. Whether through financial support, advocacy, or continued engagement, each contribution helps ensure that future generations of clinicians will have access to the practices, community, and wisdom needed to flourish in medicine.