WESTCHESTER, Ill. – David P. White, MD, received the 2009 William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

“The William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award recognizes the leadership that Dr. White has demonstrated throughout his career,” said Clete Kushida, MD, AASM president. “He has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the field of sleep research, and as the editor in chief he further solidified the standing of the journal SLEEP as the premier peer-reviewed scientific journal in the field. I congratulate Dr. White on his accomplishments, and wish him continued success.”
 
Dr. White received the award on June 8 in Seattle, Wash., at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.
 
Dr. White is a professor of medicine at the Harvard School of Medicine, and the chief medical officer for Philips Respironics Inc., a global market leader and innovator in the sleep-disordered breathing marketplace. Dr. White’s primary research interest over the years has been the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. Among his most recent studies in 2009 are, “The influence of obstructive sleep apnea and gender on genioglossus activity during rapid eye movement sleep,” which was published in the April issue of CHEST; and “Airway dilator muscle activity and lung volume during stable breathing in obstructive sleep apnea,” which was published in the March issue of SLEEP.
 
Dr. White received a medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and completed his training in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine at the University of Colorado.
 
Established in 1994, the William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award recognizes members of the sleep field who have displayed exceptional initiative and progress in the areas of sleep education and academic research. 
 
The award’s namesake, William C. Dement, MD, PhD, is one of the nation’s leading sleep researchers. His extensive publication of research, work with REM sleep and development of the Multiple Sleep Latency Test greatly advanced the sleep medicine field. The William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award embodies the pursuit of knowledge, a commitment to teaching, and an unceasing quest to disseminate truth.      
 
SLEEP 2009 is a four-day scientific meeting featuring an international body of more than 5,500 leading researchers and clinicians in the field of sleep medicine. 

AASM is a professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of sleep medicine and sleep-related research.

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