7
AASM Membership Sections Newsletter
■
Issue #6
2014 – 2015
CHAIR
Katherine M. Sharkey, MD, PhD
VICE-CHAIR
Tina Burke, PhD
MEMBERS
Robert Auger, MD
Cathy Goldstein, MD
Shelley Knowles, MD, FAASM
Steering Committee
Profiles
Katherine M. Sharkey, MD, PhD
(Chair)
Dr. Katherine Sharkey, MD, PhD,
Chair
, is an assistant professor of
Medicine and Psychiatry & Human
Behavior at the Warren Alpert
Medical School of Brown University.
Dr. Sharkey is Medical Director
of the University Medicine Sleep
Center and Associate Director of
the Sleep for Science Research
Laboratory of Brown University. Dr.
Sharkey’s current research on sleep
and genetic risks for postpartum
depression is supported by a K23
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research
Career Development Award from
the National Institute of Mental
Health. She was recently named
to the Society for Women’s Health
Research Interdisciplinary Network
on Sleep.
Tina Burke, PhD
(Vice-Chair)
Dr. Tina Burke, PhD,
Vice-Chair
, is
the Director of the PHT Program at
FRCC-Westminster. She received a
BA with Honors in Psychology from
Kent State University in Kent, OH,
a MS in Integrative Physiology and
a PhD in Integrative Physiology and
Neuroscience from the University
of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Burke’s
research is aimed at developing our
understanding of mechanisms by
Circadian Rhythms
Message from the Circadian Rhythms Steering Committee
The Circadian Rhythms Section Steering Committee is looking forward to a great year
ahead. Our overarching goals are to help patients with circadian rhythms sleep-wake
disorders (CRSDs), support the physicians who treat them and promote education and
research on circadian rhythms sleep-wake disorders and basic circadian rhythm physiology.
The Academy is currently sponsoring an update of the Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake
Disorders Practice Parameters. This endeavor is led by Task Force Chair Dr. R. Robert Auger
from the Mayo Clinic, and includes AASM members Helen Burgess, PhD (Rush University),
Jonathan Emens, MD (Oregon Health Sciences University) and Katherine Sharkey, MD, PhD
(Brown University), as well as AASM Science & Research Project Manager Ludmila “Lucy”
Deriy, PhD. The resulting practice parameters are expected to be published in 2015 and
will include updated information about evidence-based treatment of CRSDs and highlight
areas where more research is needed to inform practice. The Academy continues to solicit
proposals for new Standards of Practice – if you have an idea for a new standard that would
help you with assessment or treatment of CRSDs, we encourage you to contact the steering
committee and we would be happy to assist you in preparing your proposal.
The steering committee’s plans for the year include submission of symposia and other
programing for SLEEP 2015 in Seattle, WA; selection of a section trainee award winner
to the best circadian rhythm abstract submitted by a student, resident or fellow to SLEEP
2015; and organization of a Data Blitz at the annual meeting. Other potential activities
include developing strategies to ensure that sleep centers offer comprehensive sleep disorders
assessments including CRSDs; development of educational materials on CRSDs such as a
webinar or published supplement to be included with a society newsletter or medical journal;
and policy work directed towards assisting clinicians in meeting ICSD-3 recommendations
for assessment of CRSDs (e.g., actigraphy, measures of circadian markers).
We welcome your participation! There are many ways for you to get involved:
• Submit a case or item of interest to the AASM newsletter
• Encourage your trainees to submit their outstanding circadian rhythm related abstract
for the CR Section Investigator Award
• Participate in our 2015 Datablitz and encourage your trainees to present as well
• Submit a proposal for a new standard of practice
DISCLAIMER
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
(AASM). The statements and opinions contained in editorials and articles in this newsletter are solely those of the authors
and not of the AASM or of its officers, members or employees. The Editor and Managing Editor of the Membership
Sections Newsletter, the AASM and its officers, members and employees disclaim all responsibility for any injury to
persons or property resulting from any ideas, products or services referred to in articles in this publication.
