DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
Board-Certified Small Animal Surgeon
Prior to establishing Phoenix Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Kansas City, Dr. Ralph Millard practiced as a Staff Surgeon at a prominent corporate hospital in the Kansas City area. However, after many years in this setting, he felt that he had a calling for different professional aspirations. Kansas City held deep roots for his family, firmly embedded within the community fabric. However, due to a non-compete agreement, he faced a period of constrained mobility, necessitating travel.
Now, with their family-owned specialty surgery hospital, Dr. Ralph Millard and Dr. Heather Millard offer unparalleled specialized veterinary surgery and patient care to the Kansas City region.
Before his corporate tenure, Dr. Millard served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery at Purdue University. With extensive clinical experience spanning years, he has authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed scientific publications. His expertise encompasses various facets of veterinary surgery, including knee (TPLO) and other joint/ligament injuries, complex and open fractures, minimally invasive fracture repair techniques, and a broad array of general soft tissue and oncologic surgical procedures.
Dr. Millard is a Board-Certified Small Animal Surgeon and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons-Small Animal. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. His training includes a Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN, followed by an Internship in Small Animal Surgery at The Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center in Dallas, TX. He further honed his skills through a Fellowship in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, and completed his Residency in Small Animal Surgery along with a Master of Science degree at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.
Dr. Millard takes great pride in the level of veterinary surgery services and patient care provided by our practice. He is dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care and expertise, continually striving to improve techniques and enhance the well-being of his patients. He believes in fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where both pets and their human family members feel valued and respected.
Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Millard enjoys spending quality time with his family and pets. His personal interests include walleye fishing, canoeing, woodworking, painting, biking, and traveling.