Miami, FL – Pat Dean, ARNP, MSN, Clinical Coordinator of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH), has been honored by the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) as the 2008 “Hospital Hero of the Year.” FHA is an advocate of hospitals at a state and federal level on issues related to community service and patient care. Each year, the association recognizes individuals who are nominated by colleagues for contributions to the community and their hospital.
Since 1984, Ms. Dean has dedicated her life to children with epilepsy. “When a child is in the hospital’s neurological unit, Pat becomes their guardian angel and their trusted friend,” said Jackie Gonzalez, MSN, ARNP, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at MCH. “She reaches out on every imaginable level to advance care and quality of life for children with epilepsy.”
At MCH, Ms. Dean provides hands-on patient care and parent counseling. She also sustains a recreational camp and support group for children and teens with epilepsy, which she founded almost 20 years ago. When not assisting patients and families, she conducts research, serves as a volunteer advocate at state and national levels, speaks at national and international conferences to expand understanding and educates nurses on epilepsy. Ms. Dean is currently the president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, an advocacy group for people with epilepsy.
Ms. Dean is a resident of Kendall, FL.