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.”

At MCH, 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. Dean is currently the president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, an advocacy group for people with epilepsy.