In Memoriam: Patrick Coonan ’78, EdD, Dean Emeritus, College of Nursing and Public Health

The Adelphi University community mourns the loss of Patrick Coonan '78, EdD, dean emeritus of the College of Nursing and Public Health (CNPH), whose visionary leadership, dedication to service and deep love for Adelphi shaped generations of students and the future of healthcare education at the University.

Dr. Coonan served as dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health from 2004 until his retirement in 2017, a period marked by extraordinary growth and transformation. When he assumed the role, what was then called the Adelphi University School of Nursing enrolled 465 students and was supported by 13 faculty members. Under his steady and inspired leadership, the program expanded to more than 1,300 students and 40 faculty, reflecting both rising demand for Adelphi's nursing programs and Dr. Coonan's unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student success.

A true architect of progress, Dr. Coonan envisioned nursing education as interdisciplinary and forward-looking. During his tenure, the School expanded beyond nursing to include programs in public health, healthcare informatics, nutrition and emergency management, culminating in its renaming as the College of Nursing and Public Health on June 1, 2013. This evolution positioned Adelphi at the forefront of preparing healthcare professionals to meet the complex needs of communities locally and globally.

One of Dr. Coonan's most enduring legacies is the Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), a state-of-the-art facility located in the Nexus Building on Adelphi's Garden City campus that he helped conceptualize and design. The center has transformed clinical education at Adelphi, providing students with innovative, hands-on learning experiences that emphasize safety, competence and confidence-experiences that continue to benefit graduates entering the nursing profession today.

"Patrick was dean of the College when I was a doctoral student, and I experienced firsthand his unwavering support for students and faculty alike," said Deborah Hunt, PhD '12, current dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. "After I graduated, I continued to see him at University events, where his genuine interest in people and enduring commitment to Adelphi were always evident. Patrick's leadership, kindness and belief in others left a lasting impression on me and on this institution."

A proud Adelphi alumnus, Dr. Coonan embodied Panther pride throughout his life. His devotion to service and social justice was widely recognized, including being named a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, honoring his lifelong commitment to equity, compassion and leadership.

Beyond his impressive professional achievements, Dr. Coonan will be remembered as a mentor, advocate and trusted leader whose warmth, integrity and belief in Adelphi's mission left an indelible mark on the University.

Dr. Coonan's devotion to Adelphi was shared deeply with his family, whose own lives and milestones are closely intertwined with the University. He was the proud father of Amy Coonan '16, '22, whose Adelphi journey reflects the values of service, compassion and resilience that defined her father's life and work. Amy is the daughter of Dr. Coonan and Anita Coonan '75, MS '79, MA '09, an educator and reading specialist, making Adelphi a multigenerational home for the Coonan family.

After Dr. Coonan suffered a heart attack in 2017 that resulted in a brain injury, Amy returned home to care for her father. The experience inspired her to pursue nursing, and she returned to Adelphi in 2020 to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, continuing her father's lifelong commitment to healthcare, service and the Adelphi mission.

Patrick is survived by his wife Anita of 48 years, his son David, daughter Lauren, MA '10, MBA '17, son Phillip '10 and daughter Amy.