Our Legacy
Established in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. Born at a time when sleep centers were first emerging, AASM grew from a small professional association to a robust medical society. Over the past five decades, we've:
- Accredited thousands of sleep centers
- Certified sleep specialists
- Classified sleep disorders
- Published practice standards and research
With over 9,500 members and 2,300 accredited sleep centers, we continue to advance sleep care and improve lives.
Accreditation & Certification
From accrediting sleep centers to certifying specialists, the AASM has ensured quality care in sleep medicine for 50 years. We continue to uphold the highest standards that advance sleep care worldwide.
Standards & Research
Through the classification of sleep disorders, development of clinical standards, and publication of sleep research, the AASM has been instrumental in securing recognition for sleep medicine as a medical specialty.
Education & Impact
We empower sleep physicians and other health care professionals through education and professional development to enhance patient care, improving lives by enhancing sleep health for everyone.
Featured Article: History of the AASM
For 50 years, the AASM has played a leading role in shaping the field of sleep medicine, leveraging the multi-disciplinary expertise of its members to forge a new medical specialty.
Read this special article in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine to learn more about the pioneers who formed the AASM and how they secured national recognition and broad acceptance within the medical community.
50 Years of Advancing Sleep Medicine
This interactive timeline enables you to explore the 50-year history of the AASM. Learn about the people who contributed to AASM’s development and discover how the AASM has shaped the future of sleep medicine for half a century.
Hear the Story of Our History
These video interviews capture first-hand accounts of AASM’s history. Early pioneers in the sleep field, founders of the organization, past presidents, previous executive directors, and current leaders and members tell the story of the AASM in their own words.