Sleep Medicine Fellowship
About the Program
The goal of this fellowship is to train physicians who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in Neurology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Otolaryngology, Anesthesiology, or Family Medicine to become competent in the subspecialty of Sleep Medicine. Our fellows are expected to become proficient in the diagnosis and management of both adult and pediatric sleep disorders.
During the one-year fellowship, our fellows will acquire:
- Skills in interviewing and examining patients with sleep disorders
- Ability to formulate a focused differential diagnosis based on clinical presentation
- Understanding of the appropriate utilization of procedures related to sleep assessment, including adult and pediatric polysomnogram, home sleep apnea testing, positive airway pressure titration, and multiple sleep latency testing
- Ability to independently interpret sleep studies, including studies of medically complex patients
- Exposure to a wide range of treatment options, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation, mandibular advancement devices, and formal cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i)
- Opportunities in sleep-related research and quality improvement measures
Accreditation: After completing fellowship, fellows qualify to apply for certification through the American Board of Sleep Medicine Sleep Medicine Certification Program. This program is jointly developed by the ABIM, ABFM, ABP, ABPN, ABOto, and ABA (ABIM is responsible for administering the examination).
Educational Opportunities
In addition to clinical training, sleep fellows will participate in a variety of educational experiences to foster skills in teaching, leadership, and academic involvement.
Weekly conferences:
- Polysomnogram Case Review
- Sleep Medicine Didactic Conference
Monthly conferences:
- Sleep Medicine Journal Club
- Pulmonary/Sleep Conference
Fellows will regularly work with rotating medical students, residents, and fellows from other medical disciplines. They will also participate in education of future sleep technicians through the Kirkwood Community College program.
Research Opportunities
The Sleep Medicine division at the University of Iowa has active research programs. Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical research projects under the guidance of an assigned mentor over the course of the fellowship.
Major areas of research:
- Use of hypoglossal nerve stimulation in sleep apnea
- Sleep and epilepsy
- Sleep disordered breathing and oncology
- Intrinsic defects in chemosensitivity during sleep
- Sleep disordered breathing in children with craniofacial differences
- REM behavior disorder and neurodegenerative diseases
- Clinical imaging in sleep
Research Presentations at the 2022 Sleep Meeting
Rotations
We strive to provide fellows a balanced educational experience that will successfully prepare them for independent clinical practice and board certification in Sleep Medicine.
In addition to core rotations in sleep clinics, fellows may request time for elective experiences in several sleep-related fields:
- Adult pulmonary/neuromuscular clinic
- Formal cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i)
- Hypoglossal nerve stimulator placement with otolaryngology
- Hospital dentistry
- Pediatric otolaryngology
We will work to customize the fellow’s experience to align with their goals for future clinical practice after fellowship.
Fellows are given time to prepare for and take the required Sleep Medicine In-Training Exam (SMITE) in the spring.
Sleep Medicine Fellow Duties
- Fellows participate in outpatient sleep clinics at two campuses: Iowa River Landing East (Coralville), and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City)
- Fellows interpret polysomnograms and home sleep apnea tests guided by multidisciplinary faculty at the University of Iowa Sleep Disorders Center
- Overnight call is shared by fellows, and involves answering calls from our sleep technicians regarding patient management during polysomnogram procedures (home call, no hospital admissions)
- Fellows regularly present formal polysomnogram case reviews, journal club topics, and sleep didactic lectures
Additional fellow expectations:
- Leadership in quality improvement project
- Contribution to sleep-related clinical research project
- Attendance and/or presentation at annual SLEEP meeting is encouraged
How to Apply
Applications are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) and all applicants must also register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Please refer to those sites for more information on application materials needed and match cycles.
Successful candidates for our program will be those that:
- Have enthusiasm for the exciting field of Sleep Medicine
- Display professionalism, good interpersonal and communication skills
- Have interest in teaching, including medical students, residents, and peers
- Are comfortable working with patients of all ages with sleep-related concerns
- Have intent to continue providing outstanding care for patients with sleep disorders in their post-fellowship career
Note: We are unable to accept any fellowship applications outside of the Match.
Our People
Fellowship Director
Fellowship Associate Director
Faculty
• Nimra Alvi, MD, MHA, Pediatrics
• Herbert Berger, MD, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary
• Mark Dyken, MD, Neurology
• Alexandra Iannone, DO, Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonary
• Deborah Lin-Dyken, MD, Pediatrics, Behavior/Development
• Junjie Liu, MD, Internal Medicine
• David Shaha, MD, Family Medicine
Current Fellows
Sujana Madathil, MBBS
Home country: India
Medical School: Government Medical college, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Residency: Pediatric Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Pediatrics: Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas
Why Iowa:
As a sleep medicine fellow at UI Hospitals & Clinics, I get the opportunity to see a wide variety of sleep related pathologies in both children and adults. The working environment is collegial, and the faculty are very encouraging and supportive. There is the right amount of autonomy and supervision in the training which helps you to challenge yourself and learn every day. I find Iowa City, a great place to live and it has excellent schools, public libraries, parks and bike trails.
Ogechukwu Obiano, MD
Hometown: Houston, Texas and Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate: Baylor University, Waco, TX
Medical School: University of Texas at Houston (McGovern Medical School)
Residency: Internal Medicine and Psychiatry Residency, University of Iowa
Why Iowa:
I had a wonderful residency experience here in Iowa and chose to remain here for my sleep medicine fellowship. The sleep medicine department has talented faculty, a state of the art sleep center, a large catchment area, and a positive learning environment. The fellowship program is flexible with ample opportunities to tailor training to specific interests. There is exposure to large variety of adult and pediatric cases. The faculty are dedicated to teaching and are friendly, collegial, and approachable. Overall, this is a great sleep medicine fellowship program and I would recommend it to any physician interested in the field of sleep medicine.
Chiranjeevi Pramodnath Siddagunta, MD
Home country: India
Medical School: Sri Venkateswara Medical School
Residency: Family Medicine Residency at Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Why Iowa:
I chose the sleep medicine fellowship at UI Hospitals & Clinics because I know the department has highly skilled and talented faculty. It has a state of the art sleep center and a large catchment area. The faculty are very nice and engaging. I feel the fellowship is flexible and has a very positive environment. UI Hospitals & Clinics Sleep Medicine is a large referral center which gives me the opportunity to see all the unusual and complicated cases. This fellowship gives you the opportunity to pursue your interests. It has very friendly faculty to help and guide you at every step.