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.
ABOUT MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Miami Children's Hospital® is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 650 attending physicians and over 130 pediatric sub-specialists. The 289-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with several specialty programs ranked among the best in the nation in 2008 by U.S.News & World Report.
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Where Children Matter Most (2024)
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South
Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately
850 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 307-bed
hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs
routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The
hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern
United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing
Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional
honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.