Founders
Mettle Health was co-founded by BJ Miller, MD and Sonya Dolan. Between them, they have decades of experience caring for patients and caregivers dealing with aging, serious illness and the end of life.
BJ and Sonya understand the positive effects that candid and loving conversations can have for patients and caregivers alike. They are passionate about palliative care and making it more readily available to the public.
BJ Miller, MD
BJ is an established thought leader in the area of serious illness, end-of-life issues and death. He has been a physician for 19 years and has counseled over 1,000 patients and family members. This vast experience has led him to understand what people really need when dealing with difficult health situations.
BJ has given over 100 talks, both nationally, and internationally, on themes of serious illness and dying, and has given over 100 media interviews, including podcasts, radio and print. His TED Talk, What Really Matters at the End of Life has been viewed over 11 million times. He also co-authored the book, A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death, which was published in 2019.
Sonya Dolan
Sonya’s career in hospice and palliative care was shaped by the loss of her mother. This, combined with her role as a caregiver, profoundly shaped her professional path. After transitioning from event management to hospice administration, she worked closely with clinicians, patients, and families to deliver care and support. Her hospice work also introduced her to her co-founder BJ Miller, and palliative care, and the rest is history.
Her extensive experience in caring for those navigating illness and death, coupled with her journey as a breast cancer survivor, has provided Sonya with a deep understanding of both the strengths and limitations of the healthcare system. She is particularly committed to working with empathy and compassion, learning from clinicians, and recognizing the essential role of heart-centered care in improving the patient and caregiver experience.
