Celebrity Chef Ralph Pagano Thanks UHealth and Jackson after Treatment for Life-Threatening Burns

South Florida celebrity chef Ralph Pagano, who suffered life-threatening burns in a kitchen explosion, expressed gratitude to his UHealth/Jackson caregivers on August 10, when he was released following a hospital stay of nearly a month and a half.

From left, occupational therapist Angel Alvarez, Ralph Pagano, Louis Pizano, M.D., M.B.A., and Carl Schulman, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D.

The explosion occurred on June 22, when Pagano, owner of the Naked Lunch, Naked Taco and Naked Crab restaurants and host of the Lifetime cable network’s culinary show “All Mixed Up,” was opening a new restaurant in Bimini.

Pagano, who suffered burns to more than 30 percent of his body, was immediately flown to the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Burn Center at Ryder Trauma Center. He remained in the Burn Intensive Care Unit for several days.

Pagano then underwent four skin grafts for burns sustained mostly to his hands, arms, legs and face. After being transferred to Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital, he also received intensive inpatient occupational and physical therapies to regain the use of his hands and his ability to walk.

At a press briefing held the day of his release, Pagano thanked his UHealth physicians, and the medical team and therapists at Jackson, for saving his life and helping him recover so he could return home to his family.

“Everyone that’s done everything has been absolutely amazing,” he said.

The physicians, in turn, praised Pagano for his optimism. “It really helped get him through a difficult time,” said Louis Pizano, M.D., M.B.A., a UHealth trauma surgeon and medical director of the UM/Jackson Burn Center. He added that Pagano’s upbeat attitude “brought out the best” in the medical team.

Another UHealth trauma surgeon, Carl Schulman, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D., noted that Pagano still has a long recovery ahead of him.

“Burns are a life-changing event,” said Schulman, “but Ralph has been a model patient.” That spirit, he said, will be important in helping Pagano overcome the challenges that lie ahead

Tags: burn center, Dr. Carl Schulman, Dr. Louis Pizano, Ralph Pagano, UHealth/Jackson Ryder Trauma Center