DENVER, CO – University of Michigan sleep specialist Ronald Chervin, MD, MS, became the 31st president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) board of directors on June 13. Dr. Chervin was inducted into the role during SLEEP 2016, the 30th anniversary meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) in Denver. He will serve a one-year term.
As the country’s health care system continues to evolve, Dr. Chervin will provide direction for the nearly 10,000 physicians, scientists and allied health professionals who are members of the AASM, the leading professional society in the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine.
“Our field is changing rapidly due to ongoing shifts in health care and the emergence of new technology,” said Dr. Chervin. “I am excited to lead the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as we continue to advance the practice of sleep medicine and equip our members, who are a diverse group of medical professionals, to provide coordinated, patient-centered care.”
Sleep medicine is more important than ever as the number of individuals suffering from a sleep problem is on the rise, and millions of Americans are simply not getting sufficient sleep. About 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep problem, and nearly 60 percent of these individuals have a chronic sleep disease such as obstructive sleep apnea. The effective treatment of a sleep disease reduces associated health risks and improves quality of life by restoring healthy sleep, boosting daytime alertness and concentration, increasing physical energy and reducing feelings of depression.
“More than one-third of adults in the U.S. are not sleeping the recommended seven or more hours per night, and millions of adults and children are afflicted by a chronic sleep disorder,” said Dr. Chervin. “The members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine are poised to play a leading role in helping our country achieve optimal health through better sleep.”
An AASM member since 1992, Dr. Chervin has served on the AASM board of directors for six years, including a one-year term as president-elect. Additionally, he is an associate editor of SLEEP and also serves on the editorial boards for Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Chervin is a professor of neurology and sleep medicine at the University of Michigan, where he is director of the Sleep Disorders Center. Dr. Chervin has expertise in adult and child sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, parasomnias and restless legs syndrome. He completed his fellowship in sleep medicine at Stanford University and residency in neurology at Cornell University in New York City. Dr. Chervin earned his medical degree from Stanford University and his master’s degree in clinical research from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Chervin is board-certified in sleep medicine and neurology.
To arrange an interview with Dr. Chervin, or for more information about the AASM (www.aasm.org), please contact Rebecca Raudabaugh at 312-565-4604 or rraudabaugh@lcwa.com.
About The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Established in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) improves sleep health and promotes high quality patient centered care through advocacy, education, strategic research, and practice standards. The AASM has a combined membership of 11,000 accredited member sleep centers and individual members, including physicians, scientists and other health care professionals.
