Joy Diane Shields-Miller, MD grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the little town of Jackson, Ohio. She majored in foreign missions at Circleville Bible College (now Ohio Christian University) for two years before transferring to the Ohio State University (OSU). At OSU, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry to fulfil pre-med requirements.


In 1986, Joy attended the Medical College of Ohio (now Medical University of Ohio) in Toledo. She graduated with a Medical Doctor degree and began a Family Practice residency at Mercy Hospital, in Toledo’s inner city. When a second year residency position became available in OB/GYN at Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, she accepted. Following graduation from that program, she joined Dr. Ed Ricaurte in private practice in Oregon, Ohio. In 1997, she interviewed at Berger Hospital (now Ohio Health Berger), and became the first OB/GYN to open their new maternity ward. She has had extensive training in several medical/surgical fields including OB/GYN, vein surgery, and chronic wound care. Since 2015 until her retirement on January 4, 2021, she was Medical Director of the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Center at the hospital. She currently loves horseback riding, playing softball with her family, cooking, and spending time with grandchildren. Her husband, Dr. David Miller, a Christian Psychologist, inspired her to write her incredible story. They live in Circleville, Ohio and are active members of Hedges Chapel, Churches of Christ in Christian Union.