RemarkaBall

Announcing the 2026 Provider and Citizens of the Year

Through their compassion, leadership and unwavering commitment to serving their communities, they have advanced Riverside’s mission and inspired countless others. We are honored to recognize their remarkable contributions and lasting legacy.

In recognition of his extraordinary service to patients, his dedication to advancing cancer care and his lasting impact on our community, Riverside Foundation is proud to honor John Francois Miller, M.D. as our 2026 Provider of the Year. 

Dr. Miller has dedicated his career to providing exceptional, compassionate cancer care to patients throughout the Virginia Peninsula. As a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist with Riverside Peninsula Cancer Institute, he has earned the trust and admiration of countless patients and colleagues through his clinical expertise, genuine compassion and unwavering commitment to those facing some of life's most difficult diagnoses.

A meritorious graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Dr. Miller earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha before completing his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology and has spent more than two decades caring for patients across the region. In 2010 Dr. Miller moved to Williamsburg with his wife Monika, daughter Madeline and his identical twin sons, Layton and Parkman, to begin his career with Riverside Peninsula Cancer Institute.

Throughout his career, Dr. Miller has been recognized not only for his medical excellence, but for the extraordinary relationships he builds with his patients and their families. He is known for taking the time to listen, explain complex treatment options with clarity and compassion and provide reassurance during moments of uncertainty. His dedication to treating the whole person—not just the disease—has made a lasting difference in the lives of those he serves. His consistently outstanding patient satisfaction ratings reflect the trust, respect and gratitude of the community.

Beyond the exam room, Dr. Miller remains committed to advancing the field of oncology through ongoing education and collaboration. His work helps ensure that patients throughout the region have access to advanced, high-quality cancer care close to home, allowing families to receive world-class treatment without leaving their communities.

Dr. Miller's career exemplifies Riverside's mission of caring for others as we would care for those we love. His clinical excellence, humility and unwavering compassion have touched thousands of lives and continues to inspire all who have the privilege of working alongside him.

It is with deep gratitude that Riverside Foundation recognizes Patricia and Robert Dwyer as its 2026 Citizens of the Year for a lifetime of generosity, leadership and compassionate service to the Williamsburg community.

For decades, Patricia “Patti” and Robert “Bobby” Dwyer have been among Greater Williamsburg’s most dedicated and influential community champions. Through their leadership, philanthropy and compassion, they have strengthened the region’s educational, cultural and health care institutions while touching countless lives through their generosity, mentorship and friendship. 

The Dwyers are perhaps best known for their unwavering commitment to serving others. Whether welcoming students into their home, supporting local artists, comforting friends during times of need or advocating for cancer patients and their families, they have consistently put the well-being of others first. Their ability to bring people together around a common purpose has left an enduring mark on the Williamsburg community.

A centerpiece of their community service has been their decades-long support of cancer care in the region. Following the loss of dear friends John Randolph and Dr. Mark Ellis, Bobby and Patti transformed tragedy into hope through their leadership of the annual John Randolph and Dr. Mark Ellis Memorial Dinner benefiting Riverside Health Cancer Care. For many years, they have united physicians, survivors, community leaders and philanthropists in support of exceptional local cancer care, helping ensure that patients throughout Greater Williamsburg have access to outstanding treatment close to home.

Beyond their contributions to health care, the Dwyers have enriched the cultural life of Williamsburg. Patti, a retired kindergarten teacher and accomplished artist, has devoted countless hours to fostering creativity and supporting local artists. She played an instrumental role in the development of the Williamsburg Arts District and founded The Art House, creating opportunities for artists to share their work and helping strengthen the region’s vibrant arts community. Her leadership, volunteerism and longstanding commitment to William & Mary earned her the distinction of Honorary Alumna in 2020, one of the university’s highest recognitions for a non-graduate.

Bobby’s professional career likewise reflected a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for others. During his 34 years at William & Mary, he served as the university’s lead athletics fundraiser and Senior Associate Athletics Director, helping secure resources that benefited generations of student-athletes and strengthening one of the region’s most important institutions. He also served as an assistant basketball coach under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski early in his career. Throughout those years, however, his greatest impact was often felt beyond the office—through the relationships he built, the mentorship he provided and the countless students whose lives he and Patti helped shape.

Together, Bobby and Patti exemplify servant leadership at its finest. Their legacy is not measured solely by the organizations they have supported or the funds they have helped raise, but by the lives they have enriched, the community they have strengthened and the example they have set for future generations.

Our Founding Honorees

Our tradition of recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in serving their community began in May 2019 at the Foundation's 20th Anniversary Gala. We are delighted to build upon this list each year with our citizen and provider of the year!

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