Department and Faculty
The Florida Sleep Disorders Center is a multidisciplinary sleep center staffed by consultants in pulmonary medicine, neurology, ENT, and psychiatry. We have eight adult beds (six nights a week), and up to eight pediatric beds for sleep studies using digital data acquisition equipment.
Faculty
In addition to caring for patients in clinical practice, Mayo Clinic's faculty is committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many of our faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields. You work closely with these individuals throughout your training in the Sleep Medicine Fellowship.
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Vichaya Arunthari, M.D. Dr. Arunthari is a pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist who is a core faculty member and on the clinical competency committee for both pulmonary and sleep medicine fellowships. He is also the director of the Mayo Clinic Florida Sleep Disorders Center. Research interests: The use of hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea and Remede for central sleep apnea. |
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Pablo Castillo, M.D. Dr. Castillo is board-certified in internal medicine, neurology, clinical neurophysiology, vascular neurology, and sleep neurology. He is the Neurology Department Diversity Leader and the founding program director of our sleep fellowship. He was the recipient of the 2008 University of Minnesota Medical School Distinguished Teaching Award, and he is a fellow of the Mayo Clinic Academy of Educational Excellence. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology Education Committee. His area of expertise involves the diagnosis and management of parasomnias and the overlap of neurology and sleep disorders. Dr. Castillo serves as a member of the ABIM-Sleep Board Item-Writing Task Force. Research interests: The exploration of neuromodulation of the sleep CNS circuitry to treat primary (nonbreathing related) sleep disorders, the effect of caffeine on CNS neurotransmitters, and sleep-related global health. |
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Joseph Cheung, M.D., M.S. Dr. Cheung is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was the recipient of the 2023 Wayne A. Hening Sleep Medicine Investigator Award by the American Academy of Neurology as well as a recipient of an NIH K23 award. He sub-specializes in the evaluation and management of hypersomnia disorders. Dr. Cheung is a member of the Mayo Clinic Academy of Educational Excellence. Research interests: Understanding how a whole food plant-based diet may improve sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. Other recent research work includes COVID-19 and sleep, the effect of rTMS on insomnia, and the application of wearable devices in sleep. |
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Brynn Dredla, M.D. Dr. Dredla is a neurologist and sleep medicine physician who serves as the sleep medicine chair of the Clinical Competency Committee. She is also the assistant dean for career advising and mentoring at the Florida campus and she is a fellow of the Mayo Clinic Academy of Educational Excellence. Dr. Dredla is a member of Mayo Clinic’s Learner Well-Being Council and leads the semi-annual wellness retreats for neurology residents. Research interests: REM sleep behavior disorder, the glymphatic system associations with neurodegenerative diseases, and the overlap between sleep and cardiovascular disease. |
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Osarenoma Olomu, M.D. Dr. Olomu is an otolaryngologist with a special interest in rhinology. His practice includes the surgical management of nasal obstruction. He educates the fellows on the evaluation and surgical management of nasal airway obstruction. Together, they explore the intersections between otolaryngology and sleep medicine. He is also the program director for the otolaryngology residency program and the vice-chair for education. |
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Emir Festic, M.D., M.S. Dr. Festic is board-certified in internal medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine. He has a master’s degree in clinical and translation science. His current practice involves pulmonary and sleep medicine. His focus within the field of sleep medicine is sleep-disordered breathing and assisted breathing. Research interests: The effect of immediate and delayed release melatonin on REM behavior disorder. He has been an NIH-level funded clinical trialist for almost 15 years and a principal investigator on multicenter clinical trials. Member of the associations of OSA and PAP therapy with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. |
Advisers and mentors
Faculty advisers are available to provide comprehensive educational advice and personal support. You meet with your adviser periodically throughout the program to review your progress and career goals, and ensure that your educational needs are being met.
Visiting professors
Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic each year. They present their work during lectures, participate in hospital rounds and have informal discussions with trainees. You are encouraged to take full advantage of these educational opportunities.