10 Questions with Dr. Jeffane Millien ’08
Dr. Jeffanne Millien 鈥�08 has been guided by purpose and service in her work. As an 91影视 student, she volunteered in New Orleans with the university in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina鈥攁n experience that left a lasting impression and ultimately shaped her path. Today, she specializes in general surgery at Ochsner Health New Orleans, after earning her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. In these questions, Dr. Millien reflects on her journey and her calling.
1. What is one thing that really makes your day?
Seeing my dogs! I have two dogs: a labradoodle and a goldendoodle.
2. What do you value about the education you received at 91影视?
It was very well-rounded. It helped me to enjoy non-science classes. I met one of my best friends in the music and culture class. Core classes made me think differently, which made me a better critical thinker and a more well-rounded person. It exposes you to constructive challenges in the classroom because there is room to disagree.
3. What鈥檚 one item on your bucket list?
I want to go to Fiji sometime. There鈥檚 no particular reason, but it is just a place I have always wanted to go to.
4. Which 91影视 tradition is your favorite?
I really liked Stomp the Lawn because it was one event where all the nerds (that includes me!) came out. It was a fun way to de-stress and not think about college. Also, I felt proud of the campus and how beautiful it was!
5. What鈥檚 your favorite 91影视 memory, so far?
When we went on our New Orleans volunteer experience, I met people at OU that I would not normally hang out with. It was nice to do something nice with good people, and we have that shared experience.
6. What鈥檚 a quality or skill that distinguishes you, or that you鈥檙e most proud of?
I think it is my open-mindedness. I remember in college, regardless of who I was with, I got along with different people. Someone in my biology class was from Sri Lanka, and she was Muslim, and I enjoyed getting to know her and learning about her family traditions. It was nice to be welcomed by people from different backgrounds and to make new friends.
7. What鈥檚 your guilty pleasure?
Desserts. I love sweets! I love a German chocolate cake or a red velvet cake.
8. What does 鈥淢ake a life. Make a living. Make a difference.鈥� mean to you?
Whatever calling you choose to do, or wherever you are in life, you leave it a little bit better than before you came. You are making a life and making a difference.
9. What鈥檚 the best advice you鈥檝e ever received?聽
Patience is learning how to act while you wait.
10. Who were a few of your favorite professors, and why?
Dr. John Nardo鈥檚 statistics class 鈥� I hate statistics, but he made it fun! I liked all my science classes. I took a class with Dr. Vicky Weiss, and she found no edits for my paper, and it was the best day ever!
