ABOUT THE HOST

Dr. Jerald H. Simmons, MD.

I was driven to become a neurologist out of my interest in how the brain works. After finishing my neurology residency, I went to Stanford University to do my sleep fellowship with the world-renowned Christian Guilleminault. Within the first few weeks, I became aware of what I call “basic truths about sleep disorders” that are pivotal and impactful on overall health. I was so bothered that I had gone through 4 years of medical school, an internship, and 3 years of neurology residency without learning these “basic truths”, and had I known, it would have enhanced my ability to treat my patients. I said to myself, “it shouldn’t require a fellowship in sleep medicine to obtain these “basic truths about sleep disorders” and 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 1990’s I was extensively involved in teaching neurology residents, medical students, and fellows. When I transitioned into private practice and moved to Texas my mission of teaching the “basic truths” had not changed. So, I started the Sleep Education Consortium 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 knowledge 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 impact by enhancing the lives of their patients.

The educational battle has basically just begun. Medical schools only provide 2 to 4 hours, over four years, teaching medical students anything about sleep. It is my mission to help compensate for this deficit and teach the “basic truths about sleep disorders”. Working with my colleagues we have put together a course packed with information over several days to teach and raise the level of care to meet the needs of our patients.