In honor of PA Week, we thought it would be a great opportunity to let you know a little bit more about Diana K. Dean, PA-C. You can read her professional bio on our webpage here, but we wanted to give you a brief glimpse “behind the scenes” of a day in the life of a PA.
Diana K. Dean Daily Surgical Schedule:
4:30am – (Yes, that IS 4:30am) Wake up and drink a cup of chocolate-macadamia nut coffee from Hawaii(my Splurge!) while watching the local news
4:45am – Play with my dogs
5:00am – Read my Bible, read a daily devotional and “try” to ride my exercise bike(said with a laugh!)
5:30am – Get ready for work!
5:45am – Get my “to go” cups of coffee and snacks for the day
6:00am – Drive to GMC-Duluth. During the commute, I say my daily prayers, talk with my husband, and listen to talk radio. (It’s a long commute from Gainesville but worth living on the lake!)
6:45am – Arrive at hospital. Change into scrubs.
7:10am – Talk to 1st surgery pt. of the day. Make sure everything is setup and ready for 1st case (x-rays/chart/equipment/etc.)
7:20am – Dictate hospital charts
7:30am – Start our 1st surgery of the day.
7:30am-9:00pm (or until finished with surgery). Continue with surgery throughout day. Eat snacks, drink plenty of water and some coffee throughout day.
9:00pm – Round on any patients in hospital
9:15pm – Drive home. Talk with my husband, family and friends on my way home. Listen to music to relax and recover from the day’s work.
9:45pm – Play with my dogs.
10:00pm – Eat a light dinner with my husband.
11:00pm – Watch news/TV/movie
11:30pm – Hopefully SLEEP!.
Some “Fun Facts” About Diana K. Dean, PA-C:
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans (my husband and I were extras in the movie!)
Favorite Super Hero: Wonder Woman
Favorite Color: Red (surprise!)
Past time/Hobbies: Fishing/Boating, Target Practice & Photography
Most unique experience in field: Just the joy I feel when I see a patient who had and injury or problem and unable to participate in sports/activities, recover and be able to do what they want to do. Also when I broke my leg and became the patient, it made me more sympathetic and empathetic for what each person goes through. Hopefully that experience has made me a better PA!
Most Unique Vacation: My yearly trip to Treasure Island, Fla. with my entire family. This has been a tradition that was started by my grandparents.