2023 Speakers
We will be adding additional speakers.
Chad Ruoff, MD
Keynote Speaker
Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic, Arizona
Dr. Ruoff is an internal medicine physician specializing in sleep medicine. He enjoys evaluating and treating all sleep disorders such as sleep disordered breathing (e.g. obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, complex sleep apnea), CNS hypersomnias (e.g. narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia), restless leg syndrome (RLS), parasomnias (e.g. REM behavior disorder), and circadian rhythm disorders (e.g. delayed sleep phase disorder). In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Ruoff is active in research and education, providing mentorship to medical students. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications on various topics within sleep medicine including sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
Rakesh Bhattacharjee, MD
Director of Pediatric Sleep Medicine at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UC San Diego
Dr. Rakesh Bhattacharjee is the director of pediatric sleep medicine at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and an associate professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego. His clinical interests are in developing strategies to treat sleep disorders in children in an individualized manner. In addition, educating patients, parents, and the public on the importance of sleep is another interest, with the goals of identifying and treating sleep disorders in a timely matter and preventing these disorders from occurring. His research interests include studying complications associated with sleep disorders in children, particularly cardiovascular issues.
Dr. Bhattacharjee earned his medical degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and trained in pediatrics and respiratory medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He received his sleep medicine training at the University of Louisville. He is board certification in sleep medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics and board certification in behavioral sleep medicine in both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. In addition to participating in the education committee with the AASM, he recently received the title as a Fellow of the AASM (FAASM).
Shelley Hershner, MD
Shelley Hershner, MD is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan Department of Neurology. Dr. Hershner completed college at the Colorado State University, medical school at Medical College of Ohio, and residency and Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of Michigan. Dr. Hershner has extensive experience in education. She had developed numerous sleep-related educational materials including several websites which include Sleep to Stay Awake and through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine- Educational Committee, “Choose Sleep” and “Sleep Health and Wellness”. Also through the AASM Education Committee, Dr. Hershner has developed multiple educational products for patients, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Dr. Hershner’s research and clinical focus has been on sleep issues among college students. Through the American College Health Association, she has taught multiple seminars to college health providers on how to treat disordered sleep among college students.
Lois E. Krahn, MD
Pulmonary Medicine, Psychiatry and Psychology, Specialty Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic
Dr. Lois Krahn grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) and attended Bryn Mawr College before completing her medical training at the Mayo Clinic. As she completed her residency in psychiatry, she became very interested in narcolepsy and obtained board certification in sleep medicine. She is committed to advancing treatment options and opportunities for patients with narcolepsy. Working with an expert team from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, she recently completed an update of the protocols for the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT). Dr. Krahn also researches the development of accessible and convenient forms of behavior therapy for patients with sleep disorders. Current work includes research on online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, integrated with clinical practice to study how to best incorporate cutting-edge technologies with more traditional therapies.
Maggie Lavender,
FNP-C
Maggie Lavender is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner licensed in Texas. She attended Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She began her career working in a pediatric intensive care and burn unit. She later moved to Houston, Texas and continued her career in a neuroscience intensive care unit at a level one trauma center. She then completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Post-Master’s Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate simultaneously at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her Nurse Practitioner career began in Houston, Texas at Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA) alongside Dr. Jerald Simmons. She briefly moved to Pittsburgh and provided care at an Internal Medicine Practice before moving back to The Woodlands, Texas. She is currently practicing again at CSMA and is specializing in comprehensive sleep disorders, neurology, and epilepsy.
Maggie’s passion for nursing and caring for people began in early childhood. She has always been driven to provide exceptional care to every one of her patients, not only treating symptoms, but also by educating and providing preventative medical care to promote healthy lifestyles. Maggie is forever grateful for the blessing and opportunity to care for and help individuals regain their happiness in life. Maggie and her husband reside in Montgomery, Texas with their daughter and son. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with her family.
Jessica Sacks, PhD
Dr. Jessica Sacks is an Associate Medical Director at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, supporting Sleep and Neuroscience medical and scientific efforts in the United States. In her current role, Dr. Sacks is dedicated to advancing meaningful therapeutic discoveries that will deliver life-changing treatment options to patients with chronic sleep disorders. Prior to joining Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Sacks gained extensive clinical research experience in academic, hospital, and industry-based settings, with a focus in neurology and metabolic health. Dr. Sacks resides in San Diego, CA and received her PhD in Molecular Medicine from Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic, and her Master’s in Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University.
Debra Stultz, MD
Stultz Sleep & Behavioral Health
Barboursville, WV
Dr. Debra Stultz is board certified in psychiatry, sleep medicine, and behavioral sleep medicine, with special interest in narcolepsy. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a distinguished fellow of the Clinical TMS Society.
Oliver Sum-Ping, MD
Dr. Sum-Ping is a sleep neurologist and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Sleep Medicine within Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. While he treats patients with all sleep disorders, he has particular clinical interest in disorders of hypersomnolence, serving as the Director of Stanford’s Hypersomnia Clinic. In addition to clinical work, he has interest in research with a focus on novel technologic applications for diagnosis of sleep disorders. He also is highly involved in sleep education and serves as the Associate Program Director for Stanford’s Sleep Fellowship.
Michael Thorpy, MD
Professor of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Director, Sleep-Wake Disorders Center, Montefiore Medical Center, New York
Dr. Thorpy is a Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center in the Department of Neurology at Montefiore Medical Center, both in New York. In addition to treating patients with sleep disorders, he conducts research in narcolepsy, insomnia and sleep apnea. He is President of the New York State Society of Sleep Medicine, Past President of the Sleep Section of the Academy of Neurology, and Past Secretary of the National Sleep Foundation. In 1993 Dr. Thorpy received the Nathaniel Kleitman Award from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, one of the field’s highest honors, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Sleep Foundation.
Workshop Facilitators & Panelists
Sue Dambrauskas
Sue is a health communicator and person dancing with narcolepsy (without cataplexy). Since being diagnosed over 25 years ago, she has led a local support group for 10 years, served on the Narcolepsy Network Board, and frequently presented at NN’s annual conferences.
After joining a Nia® Technique session at NN's 2007 conference, Sue discovered how a life practice of mindful movement can help any body thrive in physical and emotional wellness, and became a licensed Nia instructor in 2013. Sue holds a BS in Journalism & Public Relations and now works full-time as a senior corporate writer for a health technology company.
Hurlicia Hardeway
Hello everyone. My name is Hurlicia Hardeway. I’ve been diagnosed with narcolepsy 1 with cataplexy as well as central apnea. Several of my family members also have narcolepsy 1, which includes both of my parents.
Keith Harper, Board President
Keith is a passionate advocate for our community, and has served on Narcolepsy Network’s Board of Directors since 2015. He runs a support group in New York City, providing support to 400+ members of the community. He was diagnosed with narcolepsy in 2005.
Keith is a versatile, collaborative designer with a passion for technology and an entrepreneurial streak. Keith’s experience spans branding, print design, and digital design over 15+ years. He currently runs design operations at Clover, Inc.
Amy Kant, Transition Director
Throughout her career, Amy has supported advocacy organizations in healthcare, conservation, social service, and education. In recent years, she has focused on building capacity in rare disease patient organizations, and currently serves as Narcolepsy Network’s Transition Director. Amy believes that effective advocacy, whether it be an organization or a community, begins with understanding your shared interests, accepting your differences, establishing a roadmap for change, and creating mutual accountability. She has overseen community needs assessments, facilitated conflict resolution among different community groups, provided advocacy training, and conducted patient focus groups.
Olivia LaGrone
My name is Olivia Lagrone. I have lived independently with narcolepsy since the age of 25. I learned about the Narcolepsy Network in 2016. In my free time, I enjoy motorcycling, on road bike cycling, and fitness. My motto is to push and drive yourself into a healthy lifestyle. Healthy you makes a better, stronger you.
Sharon O'Shaughnessy, Board Member
Sharon was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy about 30 years after her first symptoms appeared in elementary school, making her a passionate advocate for narcolepsy awareness and early identification. She studied psychology and education and earned a Master’s in Communication Disorders and Speech Science. She has written state legislation, led support groups for parents with disabled children, and is serving an eight-year term on the Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council as the liaison to FDA and NIH. Sharon has been a member of Narcolepsy Network for 10+ years.
Ishika Sachdeva
Ishika Sachdeva is a Philadelphia County Paralegal in the Child Welfare Unit of the Department of Human Services. She received her BS in Health Services Administration with a minor in Psychology from Drexel University and aspires to attend law school. Ishika has championed the interests of young adults with sleep disorders on Capitol Hill during Rare Disease Week. She aspires to bring much-needed change to the healthcare field through education and legal assistance to lessen the impact that health disparities have on access to quality healthcare.
Jelissa Suarez
Jelissa was diagnosed with IH in 2017. Her experience with self-advocacy arose as a means of survival in academia, the workforce, and in navigating the healthcare system – “I knew that if I did not advocate for myself, no one else would.” It required her to put any shame, guilt, and fear aside, to learn how to accept this diagnosis, and take ownership of it rather than the other way around. Jelissa holds a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences and she currently serves as a research program coordinator at an academic institution.