Dr. George A. Dean was born at Women’s Hospital in 1931 and raised in Detroit; he attended McCullogh Elementary and Durphee Intermediate, in addition to Shalom Alechem School of Yiddish and the United Hebrew School. As an adolescent, Dr. Dean was a paper boy for the Detroit News (from 11 to 15 years old), and also ushered at Briggs Stadium for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. He was present when Hank Greenberg played his first game after being discharged from the Army and was there to greet him in 1945. Dr. Dean initiated the BBYO (B’nei Brith Youth Organization) AZA Chapter (from 1944 to 1949), called Seymour Sobel 661.

In 1956, Dr. Dean served in the U.S. Navy (until 1959) and was in the Naval Reserves from 1959 until 1969. He was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois, and was later stationed at the Grosse Ile Naval Air Station in Grosse Ile, Michigan.

Upon serving in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Dean had family medical practices in Redford Township, Detroit, and Southfield, Michigan. Dr. Dean practiced medicine at his Southfield office for over 50 years, where he provided pediatric, obstetric, and surgical care - including house calls and taking care of families representing 5 generations. Dr. Dean estimates he has had over 500,000 patient contacts over the course of his 63 year medical career. In 1958, Dr. Dean joined the AMA (American Medical Association) and the American Academy of General Practice.

Dr. Dean was the first family physician to have an academic appointment at Wayne State University as an Assistant Professor in Family Medicine. Additionally, he became the President of the Wayne County Academy of Family Physicians, the President of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, and the Vice President of the American Academy of Family Physicians (with a membership of 130,000 family physicians). Dr. Dean was also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors.

Throughout a lifetime of remarkable progenitorial contribution and dedication to family practice, Dr. Dean received the following awards from the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians: the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Physician of the Year Award, and the Archie Award (for contributions to the care delivery system and family medicine).

Additionally, Dr. Dean received the Trailblazer Award from Wayne State University Medical School, where he was instrumental in developing their department of family medicine. He was similarly central in the formation of the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

In addition to serving as Vice President of The American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Dean served as Chairman of the Education Commission, traveling around the U.S., Japan, China, Spain, England, and France (among other countries) to promote the specialty of family medicine. Dr. Dean’s international impact on family medicine extended to his membership in the World Organization of Family Physicians and his serving on the Committee of International Family Medicine.

Dr. Dean has lectured around the world on subjects of family medicine, cardiology, cancer, and nutrition to thousands of family doctor audiences in Communist China, the Soviet Union, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Perpetuating his connection to family medicine and the University of Michigan, Dr. Dean endowed the Dr. George A. Dean Chair of Family Medicine (in the department of family medicine), where he serves as a clinical, full professor. He was also the first Director of family practice residency at Grace Hospital, where he served as Chairman of the family practice department. Dr. Dean has been on the staff of Brent Hospital and Providence Hospital.