Deborah Ann Mulligan, MD FAAP FACEP

Nova Southeastern University
3200 S. University Drive, Suite 1212 HPD-EXEC
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328
FAX: (954) 262-3263

Dr. Deborah Mulligan received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of San Francisco, Medical Doctorate from the University of California Los Angeles and completed pediatric emergency medicine training at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Director of the Institute for Child Health Policy and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Nova Southeastern University she reports directly to the Chancellor. The Institute is a resource for communities, policy makers, public and private agencies, professional organizations, foundations, and academic institutions. To be an optimal reserve, the ICHP at NSU conducts professional training and education, demonstration projects, engages in translational community-based participatory quantitative and qualitative research, developing evidence-based public policy, participating in and serving as a venue to nurture community-based advocacy and research. The program is actively engaged in developing new measurement tools for use with individuals, populations, and communities. The Health Professions Division serves as an important support infrastructure for the ICHP and is the academic home for many of its faculty members from diverse disciplines who wish to pursue a career primarily focused on research and education in health, health finance, prevention, public health policy, and mental health. The work emanating from ICHP has been recognized through coveted federal agency awards such as the SAMHSA Excellence in Community Communications and Outreach (ECCO) Gold award.

Board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine, past experience as physician executive includes role of Pediatric Services Medical Director for nation's 4th largest safety net hospital system serving a county of 1.6 million residents. Responsibilities included leading system wide team of academic, not-for-profit hospital system, government and private sector key decision makers in development of strategic vision and planning. Implementation of related policies and procedures including: financial management, information systems, interdisciplinary relationships, marketing/public relations and contract/legal relationships were reported directly to CEO.

Key international/national positions include those held with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), International Pediatric Association and National Association of EMS Physicians. AAP roles and responsibilities include that of Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council expert to CDC; Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Association of Maternal Child Health Programs Liaison, International Child Health Section and Chair of Executive Council on Communications and Media. Dr. Mulligan is Past-President of the Florida Chapter of the AAP; the Florida Medical Association Council on Public Health Immediate-Past Chair; and a Florida Chapter of Emergency Medicine Education Committee member.

Dr. Mulligan is most interested in community-based and health-system reforms to promote health and improve care, with specific emphasis on disaster medicine, injury prevention and health literacy in addressing child/family health disparities. With over 50 publications in the field of pediatrics and emergency medicine, Dr. Mulligan is an editorial board member of the Prehospital Emergency Care Journal as well as reviewer to the Annals of Emergency Medicine and PEDIATRICS. Collaboration and partnership with these important health profession organizations provides a platform from which to facilitate pediatric health promotion and safety.

Fluent in Spanish and conversational Italian, Dr. Mulligan retains her international professional relationships by providing health and education programs. To that end, she is an advisory board member to the Global Child Health Educational Models Project.

A leading healthcare advocate and award recipient of the pre-eminent International Health & Medical Media FREDDIE Award, she is a member of the National Association of Medical Communicators, AAP and ACEP spokesperson featured on a broad media spectrum of radio, television, magazines, online and print newspapers, such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Discovery Health Channel, Univision & Telefutura Networks, Metro Networks, CNN en Espanol, Todobebe, Hispanic News Wire, Parent Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

During term as DHHS MCHB EMSC Project Director and Florida Senior Advisor state model programs were developed described in over 20 state reports, as well as state and federal legislation relative to children's health and safety issues. Public service continues as pediatric consultant to the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Center for Disease Control, National Association of County and City Health Officials, Florida State Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Transportation and the Governor's Executive Office of Drug Policy.

Despite her busy professional career, she has served on the board of directors of the March of Dimes; Children's Home Society; Florida SAFE Kids Advisory Board; Save-A-Life Foundation and SWIM Central Foundation. Over her medical career, Dr. Mulligan has won honors and awards honors include recognition by the Honorable US Representative E. Clay Shaw in the US Congressional Record; Wye River Group on Healthcare 'Communities Shaping A Vision for America's 21st Century Health & Healthcare' Advisor; Women Health Executives Network; South Florida Health and Business Community Physician Humanitarian Award as well as the Excellence in Community Based Programming; March of Dimes Woman of Distinction; National EMSC Heroes Award for Innovation; Florida Medical Association Physician Communicator of the Year; South Florida Outstanding Female Health Professional; Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Broward; Florida State Surgeon General Injury Prevention Award, NSU Melnick Child Advocate of the Year Award, Ralph A Marrinson Lifetime Achievement Award and the Florida State University and Colleges 'Campus COMPACT Community Engagement Educator Award' presented by First Lady Michelle Obama.