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Sleep Expert Judith Owens, Receives National Award

Washington, DC —Children’s National Medical Center’s Judith Owens, MD, MPH, D, ABSM, received the Mark O. Hatfield Public Policy or Advocacy Award given by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for her success in increasing public awareness of pediatric sleep disorders, and her support of policies that outline healthy sleeping habits for children.

Dr. Owens is the Director of Sleep Medicine at Children’s National and is an internationally recognized authority on children and sleep. She is the author of more than 75 original research and review articles in peer-review journals, chapters, and books on the topic, and is board certified in developmental/behavioral pediatrics and sleep medicine.

“I hope that this award will help to raise awareness of the vital role that sleep plays in the physical and mental health of all children,” said Dr. Owens. “While we still have a lot to learn, we know that sleep is a key determinant of a child’s social and emotional functioning, physical wellbeing, and academic success.”

The AASM is a professional society dedicated exclusively to sleep medicine. Each year they present this award to an individual whose contributions to public policy promote healthier sleep for Americans. Dr. Owens’ contribution to pediatric sleep health is not limited to the United States. In the letter announcing the award, the President of the Academy praised her for the global impact of her work, citing her continued support of sleep-related charitable organizations.

Children’s Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center is the only sleep center in the Washington, DC, area exclusively for kids. The interdisciplinary sleep medicine team includes sleep specialists, pulmonologists, behavioral child psychologists, and nurses. Children’s National is one of only a few pediatric hospitals in the world to have two sleep specialists board-certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.

Contact:  Emily Hartman or Emily Dammeyer 202-476-4500