Dr. Dean received his undergraduate degree and his medical degree from the University of Alabama.  He served his internship and residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine and received his cardiology training, including interventional cardiology, at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He specializes in interventional cardiology and is widely published in that field.

He is currently a Professor of Medicine and Surgery and Director of the UW Medicine Regional Heart Center at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and is a past president of SCAI. In addition he is a member of the American College of Physician Executives and the American Medical Informatics Association.  He holds a certificate in Medical Management from the University of Washington.