As we look ahead to all that the year has in store for us, I thank each of you who has renewed your AASM membership for 2014.
Your support helps the AASM continue the important initiatives that will make a lasting impact on the field of sleep medicine. Currently the AASM is finalizing The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition; developing quality measures for several of the most common sleep disorders; advocating for a Stark Law exception for sleep specialists; partnering with the CDC and Sleep Research Society to promote healthy sleep; and much more.
The AASM is your professional society, and your support as a member makes a significant difference as we work to secure the future of our field in 2014 and beyond. Together we also have new opportunities to make a difference in the lives of our patients in the year ahead.
I was reminded of this recently when I heard about Toni Mangiarulo, an AASM member service representative. She is one of the 50 high-caliber professionals who are working behind the scenes for us at the AASM national office.
Toni’s infant daughter Jori suffered from the rare neurological disorder bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (PMG) for nearly eight months until her death in 2012. Recently Toni published the children’s book Princesses and Butterflies in her memory. All proceeds from sales of the book will be used by Toni to establish Jori’s Journey, a foundation to help other families affected by PMG.
Toni’s story is a reminder of the dramatic impact that a chronic illness can have on the lives of our patients. As sleep medicine professionals, we do much more than diagnose and treat medical conditions. We help people, and the care we provide can be life changing – and potentially lifesaving.
In 2014 let us make a difference together by improving sleep health and promoting high quality patient centered care.
Sincerely,
M. Safwan Badr, MD
President
