Keiser University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, expected Summer 2028
Meet the founder
Michael Paul Patrick, JD
Author · Speaker · Critical Illness Survivor & PICS Advocate
An advocate before critical illness. A survivor whose experience gave that work a deeply personal purpose.
From client advocacy to survivor advocacy
Building a bridge
from intensive care
to life after.
Michael Paul Patrick is the founder of the Life After ICU Initiative, an author, and a critical illness survivor dedicated to making the long-term effects of intensive care more visible. He brings nearly a decade of client advocacy as a trial attorney, a Juris Doctor, and his own experience of recovery to conversations about post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).
Following a car accident in November 2024, Michael underwent cervical spine surgery. An aspiration event led to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), eight days of mechanical ventilation, and a total of two weeks in intensive care. Recovery brought lasting physical and psychological challenges that reshaped his family life, professional identity, and understanding of survival.
Through his memoirs I See U and I Hear U, public speaking, community advocacy, and peer connection, Michael shares what life after critical illness can involve. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Keiser University with expected graduation in summer 2028, bringing his experience of medical trauma into a new chapter of study and service.
His work centers on survivors and the people who love them, with a commitment to helping clinicians, researchers, and communities better understand the journey beyond discharge.
Family, identity, and life after
My journey through critical illness
Family life, a career in advocacy, intensive care, and the ongoing work of recovery: these photographs trace the experiences behind Michael’s work today.
Life before critical illness
Time with his children was part of Michael’s everyday life. This moment at the playground captures the fatherhood and physical activity that illness would change.
A career in advocacy
Before critical illness reshaped his professional path, Michael spent nearly a decade advocating for clients as a trial attorney.
November 2024
In intensive care
Following cervical spine surgery, an aspiration event led to ARDS, eight days on a ventilator, and two weeks in intensive care.
Content note: these optional photographs show Michael receiving intensive care, including intubation and prone positioning, and taking his first steps in recovery.
View ICU photos
Supported by a ventilator
Receiving mechanical ventilation during his ICU stay.
Prone positioning
Michael was positioned on his stomach while receiving mechanical ventilation during his treatment for aspiration pneumonia and ARDS.
Aspiration and pneumonia can trigger ARDS. When ARDS is severe, turning a ventilated patient face-down can help air reach more of the lungs and improve oxygen exchange. Proning is a guideline-recommended treatment for severe ARDS; the ICU team assesses each patient’s oxygen levels, stability, and safety to decide when to use it.
Learn more: ATS guide to ARDS · ATS treatment guideline
Waking up and sitting up
After waking from the coma, Michael needed a team of physical therapists to hold him upright as he sat up for the first time.
Learning to walk again
With physical therapy, a walker, and portable oxygen, Michael began learning to walk again after the coma—one supported step at a time.
Use “View ICU photos” above to close this gallery.
Back with family
Coming home
His daughters gathered beside him beneath a “Welcome Home Daddy!” banner. Returning home brought the family together as they began navigating life after intensive care.
Recovery continued within the routines and relationships of home.
The work of recovery
Physical therapy at home became part of the ongoing work on his shoulder and arm. Recovery required time, support, and repeated effort beyond hospital discharge.
Advocacy today
At Orlando’s Walk4PICS, Michael joined fellow survivors and advocates to raise awareness and build connections. His experience continues to shape the Life After ICU Initiative.
Explore Orlando Walk4PICS →Experience & engagement
Advocacy CV
Michael Paul Patrick, JD · Founder, Life After ICU Initiative
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student
Author, speaker, and critical illness survivor advocate
Education
Barry University School of Law
Juris Doctor, 2017
University of Central Florida
BS in Legal Studies, 2013
ICU advocacy and peer support
Life After ICU Initiative
Founder
Developed a PICS wallet card for survivors and a brochure for survivors to share with their treating physicians.
Weekly PICS Peer Support Group
Founder and Facilitator, 2026–Present
Facilitate weekly peer discussions for ICU survivors and family caregivers, guide conversations about recovery after discharge, and share resources for ongoing support.
Surviving Discharge
Podcast Host
Interview clinicians and advocates about critical illness, discharge, and recovery, and share the survivor perspective.
Walk4PICS Orlando
Co-planner and Sponsor
PICS Advocacy Network
Member
Speaking and panels
Society of Critical Care Medicine Florida Chapter Annual Symposium
PICS panelist, September 2026
Walk4PICS Orlando
Survivor speaker, September 2026
University of Florida Shands Hospital
Guest speaker, “Beyond the ICU: Understanding the Impact of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and the ICU Clinician’s Role in Preventing or Limiting It”
American Thoracic Society International Conference
Patient advocate speaker and panelist, May 2026, Orlando, FL. Scientific symposium C9, “Social Determinants of Recovery.”
Media & patient voices
2026
American Thoracic Society · Patient Voices
Featured patient advocate
Featured in the American Thoracic Society’s Patient Voices series, sharing the lived experience of critical illness and recovery.
February 2026
ARDS Alliance · Beyond Survival
Podcast guest
Discussed ARDS survival and life following intensive care in an interview available through ARDS Alliance on YouTube.
Selected publications
I See U: A Memoir of Survival and Shadows
I Hear U: A Memoir of Recovery and Reckoning
Professional development
Introduction to Palliative Care for Health Professionals
Center to Advance Palliative Care, Verification of Attendance, November 2026
Professional Development Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care
Indiana University, November 2026
ICU Delirium Playbook
UC San Diego Health, Certificate of Completion, November 15, 2026
Delirium in 30
Delirium Academy, Certificate of Completion, November 2026
Psychological First Aid
FirstAidFreeCourse, Certificate of Completion, November 2026
Trauma Informed Communication for the Chronic Caregiver: From Disconnection to Connection
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP OPEN), Certificate of Completion, November 2026
Trauma-Informed Care
Patient Navigation and Community Health Worker Training (PNCT), Certificate of Completion, November 15, 2026
Peer Support Facilitator Training
San Diego State University, Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity
Prior professional experience
Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
Trial Attorney, March 2023–May 2026
Represented injured clients in premises liability matters and guided them through depositions, mediation, and settlement discussions.
The Property Advocates, P.A.
Lead Trial Attorney, Managing Attorney, and COO, November 2017–March 2023
Led litigation teams, trained staff, and developed firmwide procedures.
Halscott Megaro, P.A.
Law Clerk, November 2015–September 2017
Speaking topics
PICS and ICU survivorship; ARDS recovery; medical trauma; ICU delirium and memory; family and caregiver experience; identity after critical illness; peer connection; and the transition from hospital discharge to long-term recovery.
Updated November 2026
Podcast
Surviving Discharge
A Life After ICU Initiative Podcast
Building the bridge from intensive care to life after.
Hosted by Michael Paul Patrick, Surviving Discharge brings together survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers to explore recovery after critical illness.
Conversations cover PICS, ICU memories, family experiences, physical recovery, identity, and the gaps survivors encounter after discharge. The opening episode, “The Eight Days I Don’t Remember,” begins with Michael’s own story.