ABOUT THE HOST
By Jerald H. Simmons, MD
I was driven to become a neurologist because of my interest in the brain’s workings. After finishing my neurology residency, I went to Stanford University for my sleep fellowship with the world-renowned Christian Guilleminault. Within the first few weeks, I became aware of the “basic truths about sleep disorders” that are pivotal and impactful on overall health. I was so bothered that I had gone through four years of medical school, an internship, and three years of neurology residency without learning these “basic truths.” It would have enhanced my ability to treat my patients if I had known. I said to myself, “It shouldn’t require a fellowship in sleep medicine to obtain these basic truths about sleep disorders.” I made it my mission to be part of the solution and teach healthcare professionals these “truths” to enhance patient care.
During my academic position at UCLA in the 1990s, I extensively taught neurology residents, medical students, and fellows. When I transitioned into private practice and moved to Texas, my mission of teaching the “basic truths” did not change. So, I started the Sleep Education Consortium, a 501(c)(3), in 2004 to spread the knowledge to those who will never do a sleep fellowship yet could benefit from this knowledge of the “basic truths about sleep disorders.” Over the past 19 years, I have directed this conference, each year enhancing the understanding of those who attend. I know, from the feedback I’ve received, that I have made an impact on many healthcare professionals, which proliferates the effects by enhancing the lives of their patients.
The educational battle has just begun. Medical schools only teach medical students anything about sleep for 2 to 4 hours over four years. My mission is to help compensate for this deficit and teach the “basic truths about sleep disorders.” Working with my colleagues, we have put together a sleep medicine course packed with information over several days to teach and raise the level of care to meet the needs of our patients.
ABOUT THE SEC
The Sleep Education Consortium, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for medical professionals and the general public on sleep and sleep disorders.
GOALS OF SEC
One of the main goals of the Sleep Education Consortium is to provide continuing medical education (CME) courses for physicians that will help them identify and treat patients with the most common sleep disturbances.
SEC EDUCATION
Enhancing the education of the general public on sleep problems will also help achieve our overall goal by creating a more educated patient base able to bring their questions and concerns to their primary care physician.
