Dr. S. Walden Miller Black Luminaries Dinner
Who Was Dr. S. Walden Miller?
S. Walden Miller, PhD, was a champion for brain health in the Black community and is best known for his work with Dr. Robert Heaton, Dr. Michael Taylor, Dr. Igor Grant, and colleagues to develop the Revised Comprehensive Norms for an Expanded Halstead-Reitan Battery, better known as the “Heaton Norms.” Dr. Miller retired from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. His research interests included brain and behavior relationships, with an emphasis on memory deficits and dementia as observed with Alzheimer’s dementia, HIV/AIDS, and other disorders associated with neurocognitive decline. These interests include the development and teaching of ethnic/culture-sensitive research, evaluation, and treatment methods. To read more about the life and legacy of Dr. Miller, click below to read an inspiring autobiography written by his daughter, Mrs. Krista Abeyta.
What is the Dr. S. Walden Miller Black Luminaries Series?
The Black Luminaries in Neuropsychology Series first launched in February 2021 with the goal of highlighting the contributions of pioneers in the field. We interviewed six trailblazers who have transformed the field and who have been exceptional mentors to garner perspective on the lessons they learned and advice they had to offer to be successful in neuropsychology.
Our inaugural Luminaries were: Dr. Desiree Byrd, Dr. Natalie Kelly, Dr. Jennifer Manly, Dr. Monica Rivera-Mindt, Dr. Marc Norman, and Dr. Anthony Y. Stringer. To learn more about our first Luminaries and to watch the 2021 series, click the Black Luminaries icon to the right.
In 2021, SBN chose to honor an exceptional mentor and researcher, Dr. S. Walden Miller, who has made a tremendous impact on our field by renaming the “Black Luminaries In Neuropsychology Series” the “S. Walden Miller Black Luminaries Series.” Although this is a posthumous honor, Dr. Miller’s family (his wife and children) were ecstatic to have their husband’s/father’s legacy remembered.
How Can I Get Involved?
We are delighted you want to learn more about Dr. Miller’s legacy! In 2023, we seek to honor Dr. Miller by hosting dinner celebration to coincide with INS 2023. We plan to recognize our Luminary of the Year, a mid- to advanced career neuropsychologist who has made significant contributions to advancing Black brain health in the field, at the celebration. Additionally, we will highlight a Spark—an Early Career professional who has evidenced outstanding contributions to the field.
We need your help to make this event a success! Dr. Miller’s family will be our Guests of Honor for the event. The best way to get involved is to encourage your colleagues to apply for the Luminaries Awards and/or purchase tickets for the event. We will also be creating a commemorative booklet for the dinner. Click below to learn more details about the dinner, how to purchase tickets, or include an ad for the commemorative booklet.
