In today’s fast-paced world, quality sleep is more important than ever for maintaining overall health and well-being. Sleep disorders, ranging from insomnia to sleep apnea, can significantly impact daily life, making it crucial to seek expert care.
This article highlights the top seven sleep doctors who are leading the field with their innovative approaches, extensive knowledge, and dedication to improving sleep health.
1. Sleep Telemedicine With Dr. John Williams
Dr. John Williams is a distinguished sleep specialist and the founder of Online Sleep Doctor, a sleep telemedicine service dedicated to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders from the comfort of patients’ homes.
Dr. Williams graduated from the University of Zagreb’s School of Medicine in 1993, followed by a residency in internal medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He further honed his expertise with a fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. This extensive training has equipped him with a deep understanding of both sleep and pulmonary care, making him a highly sought-after expert in the field.
Online Sleep Doctor offers a comprehensive range of services designed to make sleep care accessible and convenient. Patients can schedule online consultations with Dr. Williams without needing a physician referral, ensuring that help is readily available. The platform provides at-home sleep tests, which are easy to use and allow patients to undergo diagnostic procedures in their own beds. This approach not only enhances comfort but also ensures that the data collected is reflective of the patient’s typical sleep environment. Following the diagnosis, Dr. Williams offers personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs, addressing conditions such as sleep apnea and insomnia.
2. Dr. Krishna M. Sundar, MD
Dr. Krishna M. Sundar, MD, is a distinguished figure in the field of sleep medicine, currently serving as the Medical Director of the Sleep-Wake Center at the University of Utah. With an impressive array of board certifications in Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Internal Medicine, Dr. Sundar brings a comprehensive approach to treating sleep disorders. His educational background includes medical training in India, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University, New York, and fellowships in Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine at the University of Utah.
Dr. Sundar’s career is marked by significant contributions to the field of sleep medicine. He has played a crucial role in expanding the sleep medicine program and fellowship at the University of Utah since joining the institution full-time in 2012. His innovative approach is evident in the development of multidisciplinary clinics, including a sleep apnea clinic in collaboration with ENT and a cough clinic integrating speech behavioral therapy. Dr. Sundar’s expertise has been recognized through numerous presentations at national and international forums, and he has consistently been named among Castle Connolly’s Region’s Top Doctors in Pulmonary Disease from 2013 to 2017.
3. Dr. Duane Birky, MD
Dr. Duane Birky, MD, is a highly experienced neurologist specializing in sleep medicine based in Arkansas. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Birky has established himself as a respected figure in the field. He is board-certified in neurology and holds two separate certifications in sleep medicine, demonstrating his deep commitment to this specialized area of medicine. Dr. Birky’s expertise extends to treating a wide range of sleep disorders, with a particular focus on sleep apnea.
Practicing at the Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock, Dr. Birky is known for his patient-centered approach. He has received recognition for his ability to provide clear explanations, effectively answer questions, and ensure patient understanding. His areas of expertise also include hereditary polyneuropathy, migraine and chronic headache, and Parkinson’s disease, showcasing his broad knowledge base in neurology. Dr. Birky’s educational background includes training at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he completed his medical degree, internship in Internal Medicine, and residency in Neurology.
4. Dr. Rajiv M. Joseph, MD, PhD
Dr. Rajiv M. Joseph, MD, PhD is a highly qualified sleep specialist based in Texas. Board certified in both neurology and sleep medicine, Dr. Joseph brings a wealth of expertise to his practice. He completed his medical degree at the Postgraduate Institute in Chandigarh, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of London. His training includes a residency at Henry Ford Hospital and a fellowship at Beth Israel and Harvard Medical School, providing him with a strong foundation in neurology and sleep medicine.
Dr. Joseph has been practicing in the Dallas area since 1997 and has established himself as a respected figure in the field of sleep medicine. He is affiliated with several medical facilities, including Medical City Plano and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. Dr. Joseph’s expertise extends beyond clinical practice; he has made significant contributions to research, particularly in the study of Neuronatin (NNAT), an imprinted gene he cloned in 1994. His work has implications for various neurological conditions and has been the subject of numerous publications.
5. Dr. Alen N. Cohen, MD
Dr. Alen N. Cohen, MD, based in California, is a board-certified ENT/Head & Neck Surgeon with a specialization in Otolaryngology, Sleep Medicine, and Facial Plastic Surgery. As the founder and CEO of the Southern California Sinus Institute, Dr. Cohen has established himself as a leading expert in nasal and sinus disorders. His practice focuses on treating a wide range of conditions, including chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, and various head and neck disorders.
Dr. Cohen’s educational background is impressive, having graduated summa cum laude from UCLA before completing his medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He then pursued a Head and Neck Surgical Residency at UCLA Medical Center, one of the top programs in the country. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cohen has gained recognition for his expertise in minimally invasive surgical techniques, particularly in-office balloon sinuplasty procedures.
6. Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, MD
Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, MD, is a highly accomplished sleep medicine specialist based in California. She currently serves as a Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and is the Medical Director of the UCSF-Fresno CCFMG Sleep Medicine Center. Dr. DelRosso’s expertise spans both family medicine and sleep medicine, making her a well-rounded practitioner in the field. She completed her medical education at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and has since pursued additional degrees, including a PhD from the University of Portsmouth and a Master’s in Medical Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout her career, Dr. DelRosso has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing global sleep health. She has been involved in various international initiatives, including relief efforts in Haiti and training community health workers in the Dominican Republic. Her dedication to sleep medicine education is evident in her role as the Director of the World Sleep Academy and her position as Secretary of the World Sleep Society. Dr. DelRosso’s research interests focus on pediatric sleep disorders, and she has contributed significantly to the field through numerous publications and presentations.
7. Dr. Mark J. Buchfuhrer, MD
Dr. Mark J. Buchfuhrer, MD, is a renowned sleep medicine specialist based in California, with a particular focus on pulmonology. He serves as the Medical Director of the Southern California Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Support group and is a member of the International RLS Study Group. Dr. Buchfuhrer’s journey in medicine began in Canada, where he graduated from McGill University and completed his medical education at the University of Ottawa. He later moved to California and received training in pulmonary diseases at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Buchfuhrer’s career has been marked by significant contributions to the field of sleep medicine, particularly in the area of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). He developed a large outpatient RLS practice and has authored several publications on the subject, including a patient book titled “RLS, Coping With Your Sleepless Nights” sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology. His expertise in sleep medicine is further evidenced by his board certification from the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Buchfuhrer’s commitment to patient care and education is reflected in his maintenance of a website dedicated to RLS (www.rlshelp.org) and his service on the Medical Advisory Board of the RLS Foundation from 1998 to 2005.