Dear Member:

For more than 30 years the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has been at the forefront of sleep medicine: upholding quality care through standards for accreditation, advocating for the field through legislative and lobbying efforts, and fostering research through investment of funds and strengthening our relationship with the National Institutes of Health. Our success as a field is a direct result of the volunteer efforts of our members.
 
One of the most important volunteer roles within the AASM is service on the Board of Directors. The 12 members of the Board of Directors meet five times each year to address issues that affect clinical practice and research, set policies for the field, work with committees on new initiatives, and develop strategies to foster the continued growth of sleep medicine. The composition of the board is representative of the diversity of our membership, and the board also is comprised of members who have extensive knowledge of the AASM through involvement with the organization.
 
In January the Nominating Committee will consider members to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors.* I invite interested members to consider service on the Board of Directors and submit application materials for consideration. As standard, the Nominating Committee requests each candidate submit a letter of intent as well as an abbreviated CV adapted from NIH format, which can be downloaded here.  
 
All materials are due by December 18, 2009. Please submit your application materials to Jordana Money either via e-mail at jmoney@aasm.org or via facsimile to (708) 492-0943.
 
Of course there are several other means to be active within the AASM. A call for committee members and chairs will be communicated to you in early 2010, and I strongly encourage you to consider serving as a member of one of our many committees.
 
I look forward to your response and interest!

Sincerely,

Clete A. Kushida, MD, PhD, RPSGT
President
 

* As indicated in the November 2009 AASM President’s Letter, a Presidential Committee to evaluate the AASM bylaws has been formed. The Presidential Committee will review the Presidential Task Force’s Report on the Selection of AASM Board of Directors and Officers as well as the letter received during the open comment period, and will make its recommendation to the Board of Directors. The outcome of these activities will affect the nomination and election process for future vacancies on the Board of Directors.