From Loss to Purpose: UK PA Graduate Amani Miles Turns Hardship into Healing

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

For Dr. Amani Miles, PA-C, the path to becoming a physician assistant was never simply about medicine.

It was about people.

It was about finding answers.

And ultimately, it was about transforming personal loss into a purpose-driven career dedicated to helping others navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.

Now a pediatric emergency medicine physician assistant at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Miles recently added another milestone to an already remarkable journey, earning her Doctorate in Medical Sciences after graduating from the University of Kentucky's Physician Assistant Studies program in 2025.

The accomplishment places her among a small group of physician assistants nationwide who hold terminal doctoral degrees.

“I recently earned my terminal degree for Physician Assistants, a Doctorate in Medical Sciences,” Miles said. “This makes me a part of the 2.7 percent of PAs with doctorate degrees. I hope to one day be a part of leadership and education for future PAs.”

For Miles, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., the desire to pursue medicine began long before she stepped into a classroom.

Helping others

“Growing up, I always had the desire to want to help others,” she said. “I was always the curious child that wanted to know ‘why’ and wanted an answer for things, which drove my aspiration to become a PA because now every day I get to not only help others, but find answers for them.”

Her connection to Kentucky also started early.

With grandparents from Hopkinsville, Ky., Miles spent much of her childhood visiting the state. As a former track athlete, she also admired UK’s nationally recognized track and field program, further strengthening her connection to Lexington.

“When I was younger, we’d frequent Kentucky, so I wasn’t new to the state,” she said. “Combined with the fact that I ran track growing up and fell in love with the UK track and field team, it just made me love the city and UK even more, so I took a chance and applied to PA school here.”

That chance would lead her to a program that would shape both her career and her character.

Because during her time at UK, Miles experienced a level of personal hardship that tested her commitment to medicine.

She lost two of the people she loved most within six months of one another while in the middle of PA school, and the grief was overwhelming.

Painful experiences

“I experienced significant loss while in PA school and for some time it made me struggle with continuing a career in medicine,” Miles said. “Losing two of the people I loved most within six months apart in the middle of PA school was extremely rough.”

For a time, she questioned whether she could continue. But eventually, those painful experiences became the foundation for her future.

“After the grief and doubt settled, it became my ‘why,’” she said. “I knew I wanted to become the PA that would help families navigate the exact struggles I had overcome.”

Miles credits the support system she found at UK with helping her persevere.

“I didn’t have my family here with me while navigating those difficult times, but the support of my advisor, Dr. Leslie Woltenberg, and my PA school bestie, Dalia, truly helped me through those times,” she said. “PA school is hard enough, so knowing I had their support made things easier.”

That spirit of service and community would become a defining feature of her time at UK.

Commitment to serve

Miles volunteered with organizations including the Ronald McDonald House and the Boys & Girls Club in her hometown. At UK, she served as a mentor through Hues of Medicine, participating on panels and helping guide underrepresented students interested in careers in healthcare.

Her commitment to serving others earned her the CHS Dean’s Award for Service, one of the College’s highest honors.

“It was truly an honor to receive such an award and quite the surprise,” Miles said.

Today, she is putting those experiences into practice at UK Children’s Hospital, where she is completing a residency in pediatric emergency medicine. The role allows her to continue learning while caring for children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments.

“I love my current position,” Miles said. “I get both the educational and occupational aspect, and it has been great to get the additional teaching as a first-year PA.”

She credits the physicians, advanced practice providers and mentors around her for helping her continue to grow professionally.

“I have learned so much from the amazing APPs and attendings around me,” she said. “Everyone is amazing and so willing to teach.”

Most importantly, she says, the position allows her to fulfill the purpose she discovered through her own experiences.

“I enjoy providing care to children and, importantly, helping families navigate difficult situations,” she said. 

‘Authentically you’

As she reflects on her journey, Miles encourages prospective physician assistant students to invest time in learning about the profession and the programs they hope to join.

“Get to know the program,” she said. “It will help so much in the long run. The nice thing about UKPA is they host events where prospective students can get to know the program and even some of the staff, and I think those are really important to attend.”

Her second piece of advice is simpler.

"Just be authentically you."

From overcoming personal tragedy to earning a doctoral degree and launching a career devoted to helping others, Miles has demonstrated the resilience, compassion and determination that define the physician assistant profession.

And while her future goals include leadership and educating the next generation of PAs, she remains grounded by the people who helped her along the way — including one special family member who became a familiar topic of conversation throughout PA school.

Her nephew, Kingston.

“He’s my most precious little guy,” she said with a laugh. Kingston calls his aunt “TT,” and of all of her accomplishments, awards and titles, Miles says being his aunt is her most favorite. 

Because for Miles, family, service and purpose have always been intertwined.

Now, as she begins the next chapter of her career, those values continue to guide her every step.