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Dina Patel, MEd, has joined The Valerie Fund as the Educational Liaison at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at The Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Dina received her BA from Rutgers, majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Education and a MEd from Lesley University, Cambridge. Professionally certified in Mathematics (5-9) and (9-12), Dina brings with her over two decades of teaching experience to support our patients in their educational needs.  

Tell us why you decided to come work at The Valerie Fund? 

When I first saw the job listing for “Educational Liaison at The Valerie Fund”, I thought to myself, “why would a hospital need a certified teacher?” But I was intrigued, so I started doing some research into The Valerie Fund and what its mission was all about. I read about how the foundation was started by Ed and Sue Goldstein because of the experiences they went through when their daughter was fighting cancer. To bring holistic services for pediatric hematology/oncology patients to local community hospitals - what an amazing gift. I knew I wanted to be a part of the team as an Educational Liaison to help support children and their families…to be that bridge between the hospital and schools.  

Tell us the importance of your role with patients? 

I feel that one of the most important pieces of my role as an Educational Liaison is to do whatever I can to reduce the stress for the patients/families. I prioritize creating a strong connection with patients/families so they know I am a resource they can depend on for educational support - whether it be sending 504’s to school nurses, explaining and initiating the process for home instruction, initiating testing when needed for academic/behavioral support, helping with school registration, getting assignments for patients so they don’t fall behind academically, providing support for scholarships, etc. I listen to their academic needs and worries and do what I can to help.