UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Professor Recognized for Support of Human Trafficking Victims, Survivors

Follow @UTTylerTweet

September 6, 2019

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Senior Director of Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303

The University of Texas at Tyler announced today that Dr. Cathy Miller, associate professor of nursing, has been recognized as a change agent by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for her work with human trafficking victims and survivors.

Miller received honorable mention for the 2019 Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Award. The award highlights a woman who exemplifies humanism and has advanced – through scholarship, advocacy and leadership – the well-being of vulnerable or underserved populations in healthcare.

"We are extremely proud of Dr. Miller's recognition. Her work to meet the needs of victims and survivors of sex trafficking has touched so many who might not otherwise have the care and support that she provides," said Dr. Barbara Haas, UT Tyler School of Nursing executive director.

Miller is using a $450,000 grant from the United States Department of Justice to fund a project titled, "Specialized Services and Mentoring for Child and Youth Victims of Sex Trafficking." She has been working through the Texas Coastal Border Region Human Trafficking Task Force, which she co-founded and co-chairs.

"Human trafficking is an issue in Texas," said Miller. "My role as a nurse is to help decrease the mental and physical health problems of victims and survivors. The taskforce uses a collaborative approach – law enforcement, healthcare and victim service providers – to prevent further victimization, support victims and bring awareness to human trafficking."

Miller has worked with anti-human trafficking organizations for the past 15 years and has more than 25 years of experience caring for survivors in the emergency department. She presents and offers training worldwide on human trafficking, complex trauma and child sex
trafficking.

Miller serves as an expert witness for the United States Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas on the topic of child sexual exploitation and is a consultant and trainer for the U.S. Office of Trafficking in Persons. She is director of research and scholarship for the Global Strategic Operatives for the Eradication of Human Trafficking.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered. With more than 10,000 students, UT Tyler has facilities in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.