University of North Carolina Hospitals Program

The University of North Carolina Sleep Disorders Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to sleep medicine, focusing on state-of-the-art healthcare, education, and research. This program operates under the UNC Department of Neurology and includes a team of specialists from various medical disciplines, ensuring comprehensive care in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. The center is recognized as a full-service sleep facility accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Through the UNC Sleep Clinic, the program provides complete sleep evaluations for both adults and children. These evaluations include polysomnographic studies conducted in the UNC Sleep Disorders Laboratory, where advanced diagnostic methods help identify and address a variety of sleep-related complaints and disorders.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum for the Sleep Medicine fellowship is structured to encompass a wide range of learning opportunities that combine direct patient care with theoretical knowledge. Trainees engage deeply in clinical rotations focusing on various aspects of sleep medicine, including sleep disorders associated with neurology, psychiatry, pulmonology, and dental medicine.

Rotations may include extensive exposure to advanced sleep diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. Trainees learn to administer and interpret polysomnographic studies, as well as other diagnostic sleep tests, such as home sleep apnea testing.

Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, as the program partners with specialists across multiple departments such as Psychology and Adult and Pediatric Pulmonology. This collaboration helps cultivate a comprehensive understanding of how sleep disorders impact overall health and informs treatment plans that may incorporate behavioral, pharmacological, and mechanical therapies.

Research Opportunities

The program places a significant emphasis on research, providing trainees with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge studies and clinical trials that contribute to advancements in sleep medicine. The participation in research is encouraged and supported, fostering the development of new therapeutic approaches and enhancing the understanding of sleep pathophysiology. Trainees can collaborate with faculty on research projects aimed at exploring the links between sleep disorders and other health issues, such as cognitive function and chronic diseases.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The UNC Sleep Disorders Center is particularly recognized for its integrated approach to treatment. In addition to prescribing medication, the program also includes alternative therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This holistic approach helps address the psychological and behavioral components of sleep disorders.

The combination of a state-of-the-art, fully credentialed sleep laboratory with a 16-bed capacity enhances the learning environment for trainees, allowing for hands-on clinical training with real-time patient evaluations.

Training Sites

Trainees primarily utilize the UNC Hospitals complex in Chapel Hill, equipped with an advanced sleep research lab. Patient care is delivered in a structured environment that prioritizes comprehensive evaluations and management strategies for a variety of sleep disorders.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates. The types of visas supported may include H-1B and J-1 visas, facilitating the admission of qualified candidates from outside the United States.

Competitiveness and Applicant Requirements

The program is highly competitive, seeking individuals who have demonstrated excellence in medical training. While there are no specific restrictions on the medical school attended (both MD and DO graduates are welcome), the program does favor candidates who have shown a strong commitment to the field of sleep medicine through clinical rotations, research experiences, or other relevant activities.

Special application requirements may include completion of core residency training before the start of the fellowship and a clean record with maximum allowable attempts on the USMLE or COMLEX board exams. Candidates should check specific details regarding eligibility and application guidelines.

Educational Leadership

The program features a distinguished faculty with expertise in various aspects of sleep medicine, ensuring that fellows receive quality mentorship throughout their training. Faculty members are involved in both clinical practice and research, providing a comprehensive educational experience.