Dean Simmons
Eustis
Summary
Experienced healthcare leader and Registered Nurse with progressive leadership experience overseeing hospital-based and freestanding emergency departments. Experienced in multi-site emergency services leadership, operational management, quality improvement, staff development, and patient throughput optimization. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, improve operational efficiency, drive patient satisfaction, and support organizational growth initiatives. Strong background in emergency department operations, strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and healthcare administration with a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Emergency Department
UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital
10.2021 - Current
- Provide operational and clinical leadership for the Emergency Department while ensuring high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and efficient department performance.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams focused on patient safety, staff engagement, patient throughput, and operational excellence.
- Oversee staffing, workflow management, process improvement initiatives, and department operations in a fast-paced emergency care environment.
- Collaborate with hospital leadership and physicians to improve patient experience, department efficiency, and clinical outcomes.
- Mentor nursing leaders and frontline staff while fostering accountability, teamwork, and professional development.
- Support strategic planning, departmental growth, and implementation of organizational initiatives.
Director
Brownwood Freestanding Emergency Department (FSED)
02.2024 - Current
- Serve as Director for Brownwood Freestanding Emergency Department in addition to responsibilities as Emergency Department Director for UF Health Spanish Plaines.
- Oversee daily operations, staffing, patient flow, quality metrics, and department performance for the freestanding emergency department.
- Lead operational initiatives focused on patient experience, efficiency, and clinical excellence.
- Coordinate with system leadership to ensure alignment with organizational goals, policies, and emergency services standards.
Emergency Department Assistant Nurse Manager
AdventHealth Apopka
06.2021 - 10.2021
- Supported Emergency Department leadership in managing daily operations, staffing, and department workflow.
- Assisted with employee engagement, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
- Participated in process improvement initiatives to improve patient throughput and departmental efficiency.
- Collaborated with nursing leadership to maintain quality standards and regulatory compliance.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
AdventHealth Apopka
07.2018 - 06.2021
- Delivered emergency nursing care in a high-acuity, fast-paced emergency department setting.
- Managed direct and indirect patient care utilizing critical thinking and evidence-based nursing practice.
- Served as Charge Nurse from September 2020 through June 2021.
- Precepted and mentored new nursing staff.
- Acted as Flow Facilitator to improve department throughput and reduce operational barriers.
- Participated in leadership development programs and departmental process improvement initiatives.
Education
Master of Healthcare Administration - MHA
Western Governors University
11.2025
Associate of Science - Nursing
Lake-Sumter State College
Leesburg, FL01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL01.2015
Associate of Arts - General Education
Lake-Sumter State College
Leesburg, FL01.2012
Skills
- Emergency Services Leadership
- Multi-Department Operations Management
- Strategic Planning & Operational Execution
- Patient Throughput Optimization
- Quality & Performance Improvement
- Budgetary & Resource Management
- Staff Engagement & Leadership Development
- Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation
- Patient Experience Initiatives
- Physician & Executive Collaboration
- Healthcare Administration
- Emergency Department Operations
- Leadership & Team Development
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN), State of Florida – Active
- ACLS – Current
- PALS – Current
- BLS – Current
Timeline
Director
Brownwood Freestanding Emergency Department (FSED)
02.2024 - Current
Director, Emergency Department
UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital
10.2021 - Current
Emergency Department Assistant Nurse Manager
AdventHealth Apopka
06.2021 - 10.2021
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
AdventHealth Apopka
07.2018 - 06.2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Lake-Sumter State College
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies
University of Central Florida
Associate of Arts - General Education
Lake-Sumter State College
Master of Healthcare Administration - MHA
Western Governors University
Awards & Recognition
Featured in Lake & Sumter Style Magazine – 40 Under 40 (2020)
Lake-Sumter State College Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame – GOLD Award Recipient (2019)
DAISY Award Nomination – AdventHealth West Orange (2020–2021)
Leadership Experience
- Emergency Department Director – UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital (2021 – Present)
- Director – Brownwood Freestanding Emergency Department (2024 – Present)
- Assistant Nurse Manager – AdventHealth Apopka Emergency Department (2021)
- Charge Nurse – AdventHealth Apopka Emergency Department (2020 – 2021)
- Unit Practice Council Co-Chair/Chair – AdventHealth Apopka Emergency Department
- Preceptor and Mentor for Nursing Staff