Menopause, a natural phase of life, has often been a topic shrouded in silence and stigma. Dr. Taniqua Miller, a former academic and a visionary in gynecology, is on a mission to change that. In our candid interview, she shares her journey, vision, and passion for creating a more diverse and inclusive space for women during menopause transition. Dr. Miller is not only a certified expert in the field but is also going beyond the textbook to address the unique needs of BIPOC, queer, fat, and disabled women in this transformative life phase through her new telehealth offering, Revival.
Taking on Menopause Before it Was Trendy
Dr. Miller became drawn to menopausal care early in her career due to a poignant patient encounter. She vividly recalls a patient who had suffered a heart attack and was struggling with menopausal symptoms. At that time, Dr. Miller realized the gaps in her understanding of menopausal physiology and the need for specialized training. Her determination to provide the best care for her age-diverse patients led her to obtain menopause certification through the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society).
“The lack of structured menopausal subspecialty training within medical residencies and fellowships is a significant barrier to addressing the needs of menopausal patients,” says Dr. Miller. “While residency programs provide a broad spectrum of obstetrics and gynecology experience, menopausal healthcare often gets overshadowed,” she continues.
While more than 20,000 licensed OB-GYNs are in the US, fewer than 2,000 certified menopause practitioners (globally) can be accessed through The Menopause Society’s online locator. Dr. Miller is among a small count of practicing gynecologists who pursued menopause certification early in her practice.
A Certified Menopause Practitioner (CMP) since 2015, Dr. Miller believes that optimal medical education should include a mandatory, well-structured menopausal curriculum that ensures future healthcare professionals are well-prepared to care for patients during the menopausal transition, “We need to do a better job of creating national standards and an actual national curriculum that needs to be done within residency because not everybody goes into fellowship,” she emphasizes.
As a formal medical educator, Dr. Miller experienced firsthand some of the barriers endemic to progress in medical education. During her ten-year tenure in academic medicine, Dr. Miller had been a dedicated educator, contributing significantly to curriculum design and the teaching of medical students. Despite her immense contributions and dedication, she eventually found herself at odds with the academic system for various reasons.
“I began to feel like my efforts were often met with criticism, and suggestions for modifications seemed to undermine the objectives of my work,” she laments.
After meeting resistance to her efforts to recruit more Black medical students into their residency program, Dr. Miller found herself at a crossroads. The leadership within her department had questioned her commitment to diversity and inclusion. A painful realization came when, despite her efforts and background, she was challenged on the principles she advocated for. The experience left her feeling vulnerable and undervalued, intensifying her sense of professional burnout.
She took a leave of absence in June 2022, during which she learned about an active discussion to replace her role with one that she wouldn’t qualify for due to being passed over for a previous promotion.
“It was a pretty stark reminder of my struggle in a system that no longer served my interests or well-being,” Dr. Miller says.
In the absence of support and with leadership that seemed unsympathetic to her contributions and experiences, Dr. Miller made the courageous decision to resign from her academic role in November 2022.
“I realized that the environment I was in no longer aligned with my values and aspirations. My desire to serve diverse groups and to foster inclusivity clashed with the limited scope of the mainstream menopause conversation,” she recalls.
The Journey to Self-Discovery
This pivotal moment became a journey of self-discovery for Dr. Miller. She realized she had been seeking external validation for her worth and success. Her determination to break the cycle of generational curses and to model and instill confidence in her children led her to question why she was doing what she was doing. As she reached her 40s, Dr. Miller recognized that the same drive that had propelled her in her youth was no longer serving her.
Turning her focus towards creating a more inclusive and diverse space for menopausal women, in November 2023, Dr. Miller launched her telemedicine platform, “Revival,” specifically designed for people in the menopausal transition. Her vision is clear: to empower women to embrace their current selves and reject society’s narrow view of aging. “Revival” aims to challenge the prevailing narrative that centers on anti-aging and external validation.
“The etymology is from the Latin word revivere, which means to live again,” says Dr. Miller. “When we talk about the essence of revival, it’s about welcoming you home, finding that space so you can say, well, I’m getting older, and yeah, I got a little something in the midsection, but what does my overall health look like?” she asks.
“Together, we’ll determine what new metrics we are going to focus on in terms of your health,” she continues. “You have a family history of diabetes? Let’s talk a little bit about what it means to maintain good glycemic control when Menopause is making you more insulin resistant.”
Dr. Miller’s commitment to her work is more than professional; it’s deeply personal. She acknowledges the changes she’s experiencing in her own menopausal journey, from shifts in weight distribution to joint aches and pains and slower muscle recovery. She hasn’t yet experienced hot flashes or night sweats (though she recalls the toll they took on her mother when she was going through Menopause). Even so, Dr. Miller is embracing her transition and, in doing so, inviting others to do the same.
Her journey from academic burnout to the creation of “Revival” is a testament to the transformative power of self-awareness and a commitment to positive change. Her dedication to providing diverse, inclusive, and empowering menopause care is breaking the silence surrounding this life phase. As Dr. Miller continues to redefine the menopausal narrative, her message remains clear:
“Women don’t need to seek external validation to embrace their worth and beauty. Revival is about encouraging women to welcome themselves home and find empowerment in embracing the changes that come with age.”
You can work with Dr. Miller and learn more about Revival. You can also follow her on Instagram (@taniquamillermd) and be a part of the Revival IG community.
Create Account or Sign in to post a review