Mia E. Miller, MD

In December of 2016 I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma of medium size (1.3cm). My ENT suggested several possible locations for follow up but he said if it was his mother he would send her to the House Clinic in LA. So I sent my MRI results to the House Clinic and they got back to me right away with my results and different options to remove the tumor. I knew I did not want radiation so I had decided I wanted a tranlabryrinthine craniotomy which I thought was a safer approach but would take away hearing in my right ear. I had my surgery scheduled in March of 2017 but after I met with Dr. Miller and Dr. Schwartz they discussed with me the option of having a retrosigmoid craniotomy. They said my hearing was good enough to save and Dr. Miller was so reassuring and confident I felt I had made the right decision so a retrosigmoid it was.
On the day of my surgery I was petrified but again Dr. Miller relieved by fears with her calming and confident demeanor. The surgery went well and I had a speedy recovery (surgery mid- March and back to work end of May). I had gone back to LA for a few follow up appointments with Dr. Miller which were also successful.
Kudos to the House Clinic staff for taking care of me. They were friendly, arranged my stay and organized all my appointments. They were really on their game.
It’s been 1 year post surgery and I had a follow up MRI which showed great results. Next MRI in two years.
Thank you to Dr. Miller and her staff. You are the best!

Dr. Mia Miller is the best! I was nearly deaf, with just fragments left of my ear drum. She did tympanoplasty surgery, creating a new ear drum from my own tissues. I hear so much better now, I can hear my grandchildren whisper in my ear! I am so thankful for Dr. Miller, her ability, and especially her caring heart.

At the beginning of 2017 I lost hearing in my left ear as well as my sense of balance. After an MRI and a visit to my Audiologist, I was referred to the House Clinic. There I learned that I had a Vestibular Schwannoma (aka Acoustic Neuroma). It was a small (benign) tumor and I was a bit apprehensive as my Father had passed away at the age of 46 from a brain tumor. Not being a big fan of radiation therapy (and it’s collateral damage). My initial meeting with Dr. House eased my concerns and his confidence in a favorable surgical outcome was the deciding factor, the best course of action for me would be surgery. When I began explaining my hearing issues with friends and colleagues I was surprised that many had procedures done by the House Clinic and all gave glowing reviews.
I had just begun a 12 month contract for design / construction and sought a recommendation for scheduling the surgery. Dr. House informed me that the tumor was small and slow growing and surgery could wait until the beginning of 2018. I would need to have another MRI within 6 months of the surgery to confirm the tumor’s growth. The surgery was set for February 18, 2018 and as that date neared, Dr. Miller contacted me to discuss the procedure and answer any question that I might have. She explained the surgery in very clear terms and what was to occur on the day of the surgery, recovery and outpatient, which made the process more comfortable for my Family to deal with. She also introduced me to the Surgical Team and helped set up all my pre-op appointments. My pre-op meeting with Dr.Lekovic was postponed to the morning of the surgery (due to an emergency) but I was very confident having met all of the House support staff, Drs Miller, Stefan and Roya my Service Line Concierge. Come the morning of the surgery I was at total ease as I knew I was in the absolute best hands in the country.
Needless to say, the operation came out better than I had anticipated. A mild headache and fatigue but no other pain. After a day in the ICU, I was ready to get up and walk around. Dr. Miller post-op visit was comforting as she has a great smile and caring personality. Dr. Stefan’s staff started me on balance therapy and encouraged me to keep moving forward. Post-Op appointments with Drs Miller and Lekovic were the same as the first meetings, a warm and caring atmosphere.
If you are reading this, it is because you or a loved one are considering the House Clinic for Acoustic Neuroma Surgery. Dr. Miller has given back to me the quality of life we all take for granted. And that is an incredible gift that she shares with all her patience’s. Thank you cannot express my feelings for Dr. Miller and the House Surgical Team…...they are the best.

Gary Friar

In 2015 I learned that I had a Vestibular Schwannoma (aka Acoustic Neuroma). After meeting with a Radiation Oncologist locally, I decided to watch and wait. I had time, it was a small (benign) tumor, and I was still in a bit of shock since there is no family history of intracranial tumors. Plus, my mother had just had a heart attack so it just wasn't a good time to take care of me. A year later, I had another MRI to check growth. Yes, it's growing....slowly....but growing. Met with the Radiation department again, but I just did not feel comfortable with radiation as an option. I'm old fashioned.....get it out! It was now time to visit House Clinic in Los Angeles. House Clinic came highly recommended to me by a co-worker that had a friend with the same tumor and it was successfully removed. That gave me some comfort, but it still took every ounce of courage I could muster to start the process.

I met with the surgical team (Miller & Lekovic) at House Clinic in Los Angeles to discuss the best surgical approach to the tumor, and scheduled the (Middle Fossa) surgery. Once the surgery was scheduled, there was no turning back. Picture the scene from the Wizard of Oz when the cowardly lion sprints down the hall and jumps out the window, that was me! I was terrified, to say the least. I was about to have brain surgery.

HOWEVER, after my initial meeting with Dr. Miller and every appointment thereafter, I felt at ease and I knew I was in the absolute best hands in the Country. Dr. Miller is kind, caring, professional, confident, skilled and thorough! If I had felt any hesitation, whatsoever, after meeting with the team that was going perform brain surgery on me, I would not have gone through with the surgery. I was almost disappointed that I liked them so much because I didn't have an excuse to walk away. My daughter could attest to the number of "what if's" I came up with, but the bottom line was that I trusted Dr. Miller & Lekovic with my life. This is what they do and they are the best, period.

If you are reading this because you or a loved one are considering House Clinic for Acoustic Neuroma Surgery, Dr. Miller saved my life & my hearing & my facial nerve. Thank you, thank you, thank you.