Philip Miller, DO, Internal Medicine, Mount Nittany Health, is an exceptional physician who continually goes above and beyond for his patients, and also possesses extraordinary skills as a magician who performs sleight of hand tricks.
Miller’s pursuit of sleight of hand magic was initially driven by a desire to improve his sense of touch, finger strength, and dexterity. His medical school professor encouraged him to find ways to enhance these abilities to palpate and apply osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). He now utilizes his sleight of hand magic hobby in his daily medical practice.
“I have always been the type of spectator who likes to figure out the secret of the effect,” said Miller. “To do this requires a lot of ‘out of the box’ thinking to look beyond what is naturally assumed when presented with the trick. I feel this skill has also helped me to improve my diagnostic ability as an osteopathic physician by finding the correlation between musculoskeletal findings and the presenting issues.”
Patients have witnessed significant improvements in their ailments, even in cases where traditional modalities of treatment, including surgery, had previously been unsuccessful. Some have even described Miller’s approach as “magical.” Although he’s always willing to explain his patient management approach, he is unwilling to spill the secrets of his sleight of hand tricks (sorry!).
“Mount Nittany Health is fortunate to have incredible providers with diverse passions and unique interests,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO, Mount Nittany Health. “We applaud Dr. Miller for his exceptional commitment to patient care, and his ability to bring joy to those who visit his office.”
The impact of Miller’s magical talents extends to his interactions with patients of all ages. “Performing tricks for patients young and old has certainly had a positive impact on my patient interactions,” said Miller. “It often puts them at ease and lightens the mood a bit. I even have one or two fellow magic enthusiasts who like to ‘talk shop’ during their appointments. Overall, it makes the experience a lot more fun and memorable for the patient.”
Miller’s love for magic began early in his childhood, but it was during his residency that he pursued his interest in it. He was fortunate to live near the Mingus Magic Shop, one of the oldest brick and mortar magic shops in the country, located in the same town as his residency program in Reading, Pa. Balancing his medical commitments with his hobby, he started performing magic shows when he wasn’t busy providing clinical care.
Most of Miller’s magical knowledge comes from books and collaboration with friends at the magic shop; however, his dedication to honing his craft has taken him beyond local resources. He has attended conferences, workshops, and even traveled to Las Vegas to learn from world-renowned magicians. Through these experiences, he has mastered the art of sleight of hand magic, which enhances his medical skills.
Mount Nittany Health is truly fortunate to have such a talented and compassionate individual on our team, and we are grateful for all Miller does to contribute to our mission of “Healthier people, stronger community.”