Dr. D. Keith Mills (M.D.’56) chose Western from among four medical schools, and celebrates that decision to this day.
He chose Western because he wanted to attend a “small” medical school. Since graduating, he had returned to campus every five years to celebrate his reunion with classmates until a serious stroke in 2001 brought an end to the trips from his home city of Ottawa, where he lives with his wife, Patricia.
Dr. Mills has recovered well, with some limitations and a new mandate. “When illness strikes, it makes you think about your mortality,” he explained. The change in his health motivated him to think about estate planning. The many fond memories of Western motivated the designation of a bequest to the University where he studied, learned and made lasting friendships. His gift will create the Mills Memorial Professorship. “Western has been a common thread throughout my life.”
Dr. Mills’ enthusiasm for his alma mater began the moment he arrived on campus. He arrived for a meeting with Dr. Collip, Dean of Medicine. Following the interview, Dr. Collip, who was going from his research building to his office in the old Medical Building on South Street, kindly offered Dr. Mills a ride. That thoughtful personal touch impressed Dr. Mills greatly.
The telling of stories about his early days at Western, in part, inspired his younger brother Donald (M.D. ’57) to also study Medicine at the University. Dr. Mills is very proud of his brother’s career as a leading Ophthalmologist in London.
Western provided a very good basic medical training that allowed for Dr. D. Keith Mills’ career to progress the way that it did. Following graduation, he went to Montreal where he studied Psychiatry under the auspices of McGill University and trained concurrently as a psychoanalyst. With his training completed in both fields, he returned to his home city to practice and teach in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa Medical School. In 1971, he was appointed Director of Post Graduate Education in Psychiatry. In 1977, he left Ottawa to accept a professorship in the Psychiatry Department, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
Dr. Mills enjoyed his work in Saskatoon, which entailed both teaching and clinical practice. A mild stroke in 1985 led to his decision to take early retirement. In 1990, he and Patricia returned to Ottawa to be closer to family.
Today, Dr. Mills retains his positive feelings about Western’s faculty and administration, and decided to act on his emotional connection by leaving a legacy. His gift will establish a fund to provide the Department of Psychiatry with a resource to bring in visiting professors for lectures to faculty, students and the interested public.
Dr. Mills got the idea from his time on faculty at the University of Saskatchewan. The College of Medicine there provided funds for periodic visits to campus by outstanding professors. Dr. Mills’ generosity and foresight will make the same opportunity available to Western’s Department of Psychiatry. Bringing together Western faculty, students and community members to share and grow from new knowledge is Dr. Mills’ legacy for tomorrow.
