National Sleep Foundation brings the sleep community together for Sleep Health and Safety 2012

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) will hold its annual Sleep Health & Safety conference March 2-3, 2012 at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC.

"Sleep Health & Safety is the only conference that convenes primary care physicians with researchers, thought leaders and policy makers in sleep science, public health and safety. The NSF's Sleep Health & Safety 2012 conference advances the state of sleep health diagnosis and treatment and explores the intersection of sleep health and public policy," says Russell Rosenberg, PhD, Chair of the NSF.

Sleep Health & Safety's health care professional track is designed as a continuing medical education course for primary care physicians and other health care professionals, including sleep technologists and nurses. It is a practical overview of the diagnosis and treatment of sleep problems and disorders in all ages and populations. The National Sleep Foundation is jointly sponsoring the clinical track with the University of Virginia School of Medicine to provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

"Sleep problems are one of the most common patient complaints to physicians, but few opportunities for continuing education exist. This course fills this important gap," says Dr. James Pagel, Program Chair and co-editor of Primary Care Sleep Medicine: A Practical Guide.

Sleep Health & Safety's public health and safety track will explore the intersection of current sleep health with public policy, such as how fatigue affects work schedules and transportation safety.

"Sleep affects every biological function, and we know that millions of people are feeling the next day effects of poor sleep," says Joseph Ojile, MD, Chair of the NSF Education Committee. "This program is the leading one to examine how fatigue affects work and transportation safety. It is important for those in public health, policy and medicine to attend."

Abstracts on the latest research on sleep science and its association to public policy and related topics are being accepted now through November 11, 2011.

Exhibitors will showcase the latest products and services from a variety of sleep-related companies.

Media sponsors include Sleep Review, ADVANCE for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine and RTSleepWorld.

Registration for Sleep Health & Safety 2012 is open. The early bird registration deadline is December 9. Visit the Sleep Health & Safety 2012 website www.sleepfoundation.org/shs for more information.

Sleep Health & Safety 2012 Program Committees

Health Care Professional Track:

• James F. Pagel, MD (Chair, Health Care Professional Track Program Committee), Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Medical School
• Larry Culpepper, MD, MPH, Chief of Department of Family Medicine, Boston University Medical Center
• Paul P. Doghramji, MD, Family Physician, Collegeville Family Practice
• Ron Murray, EdD, Associate Director, Office of Continuing Medical Education, University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Joseph Ojile, MD, President, Clayton Sleep Institute, Clayton Sleep Institute
• Richard D. Simon, Jr., MD, Medical Director, Kathryn S. Dement Sleep Disorders Center

Public Health and Safety Track:

• Thomas J. Balkin, PhD, Chief, Department of Behavioral Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
• Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD, Chief, Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
• David R. Desaulniers, PhD, Senior Technical Advisor, Human Factors and Human Performance Evaluation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Benjamin Gerson, MD, Medical Director, University Services
• Minda Nieblas, MD, MPH, Office of Occupational Medicine, OSHA
• Roger R. Rosa, PhD, Deputy Associate Director for Science, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/CDC
• Martin R. Walker, PhD, Chief, Research Division, Office of Research and Technology, FMCSA

National Sleep Awareness Week®

Sleep Health & Safety 2012 will be followed by National Sleep Awareness Week® (March 5-11, 2012), which begins with the release of the National Sleep Foundation's annual Sleep in America poll results on March 5 and ends with the clock change to Daylight Saving Time (March 11).

National Sleep Foundation's Annual Awards Dinner - March 2, 2012

The National Sleep Foundation holds its Annual Awards Dinner during Sleep Health & Safety. The event recognizes outstanding contributions in sleep science, health and safety.

Michael J. Thorpy, MD, will receive the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award; Ernest Hartmann, MD, will receive the Excellence in Science of Sleep and Dreaming Award, and Charmane I. Eastman, PhD, will receive the Excellence in Applied Circadian Rhythm Research Award.

Jerry Siegel, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA will be the Featured Guest Speaker.

Provided by National Sleep Foundation