Sleep Center

  • Meet the Team

    The Sleep Center is home to specialists with a wide variety of backgrounds and areas of focus. As a team, this diversity makes us better prepared to care for your child’s unique needs. Learn more about our faculty and staff.

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    Director

    A photo of Narong Simakajornboon.

    Narong Simakajornboon, MD
    Director, Sleep Disorders Center

    513-636-6771

    sleep@cchmc.org

    Narong Simakajornboon, MD

    Director, Sleep Disorders Center

    Director, Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program

    Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Fax: 513-636-4615

    Email: sleep@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Clinical Interests

    Pediatric sleep disorders; respiratory control disorders

    Research Interests

    Effect of nicotine exposure on the developing brainstem

    Education and Training

    MD: Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, 1992.

    Residency: Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI.

    Fellowship: Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Faculty

    A photo of Raouf Amin.

    Raouf S. Amin, MD
    Pulmonary Division Director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    513-636-6771

    raouf.amin@cchmc.org

    Raouf S. Amin, MD

    Pulmonary Division Director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Fax: 513-636-4615

    Email: raouf.amin@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Chronic respiratory failure; sleep disorders in children
     

    Biography

    Raouf S. Amin, MD, is a professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the director of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine. He graduated from the University of Ain Shams in Cairo Egypt in 1977. Dr. Amin received clinical training in the United Kingdom and the United States. He completed a pulmonary fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1993. His research focus is on cardiovascular morbidity of sleep disordered breathing in children. He has several funded protocols from the National Institute of Health.

    Education and Training

    MD: Aim Shams University, Cairo Egypt, 1978.

    Residency: Pediatrics; Michigan State University, Flint, MI.

    Certification: Pediatrics 1990; Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine 1994; Sleep Medicine 1995.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications
    A photo of Doctor Dean Beebe.

    Dean W. Beebe, PhD
    Director, Neuropsychology Program, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

    513-636-3489

    dean.beebe@cchmc.org

    Dean W. Beebe, PhD

    Director, Neuropsychology Program, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

    Neuropsychologist

    Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-3489

    Fax: 513-636-7756

    Email: dean.beebe@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Outcome and development of children with brain injuries; outcome and development of children neurodevelopmental disorders; sleep and neurobehavioral functioning; professional development of emerging leaders

    Visit the Beebe Lab.

    Biography

    Dean Beebe, PhD, is director of the Neuropsychology Program in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology.  He is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist with specialty expertise in the evaluation and care of children who have chronic medical and neurological conditions, as well as those with both recent and remotely-acquired brain injuries. He is on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, co-leading the Pediatric Special Interest Group within the AACN. In these positions he has a particular interest in the development of junior-level clinical neuropsychologists to become future leaders of the field.

    Although his primary research interests lie at the interface of pediatric sleep medicine and clinical neuropsychology, Dr. Beebe has been principal or co-investigator on multiple NIH-funded clinical trials, both with healthy volunteers and with children who have a wide range of conditions, including lupus, cardiac transplant, brain tumor, epilepsy, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, lead exposure, and obstructive sleep apnea.

    Beyond his own research, Dr. Beebe is an associate editor of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, and is on the editorial board for Child Neuropsychology and SLEEP.  Finally, Dr. Beebe is scientific co-director of the Behavioral Core of the Clinical Translational Research Center at Cincinnati Children's, which facilitates the design and execution of scientifically-strong neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental outcome studies by other investigators across the institution.

    Education and Training

    PhD: Loyola University, Chicago, IL, 1998.

    Fellowship: Pediatric Neuropsychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 1998-2000.

    Certifications: Clinical Psychology, Ohio State Board of Psychology, 1999; Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology, American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2005.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    Improved Diagnostics & Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Pediatric NPSLE. Co-investigator. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2008 - 2013. 

    Effects of Adolescent Sleep Restriction on Neural and Neurobehavioral Functioning.  Principal Investigator. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 2009 - 2013.

    Sleep Disordered Breathing in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Consultant. National Institute of Nursing Research. 2011-2015.

    Randomized Controlled Study of Adenotonsillectomy for Childhood Sleep Apnea. Co-investigator. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. 2006-2012.

    Clinical-Translational Research Center. Co-Director of the Behavioral Core. National Center for Research Resources. 1997 - 2014.


    A photo of Kelly Byars.

    Kelly C. Byars, PsyD
    Pediatric Psychologist

    513-636-4336

    kelly.byars@cchmc.org

    Kelly C. Byars, PsyD

    Pediatric Psychologist

    Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-4336

    Fax: 513-636-7756

    Email: kelly.byars@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Pediatric behavioral sleep medicine

    Biography

    Kelly C. Byars, PsyD, is an associate professor of clinical pediatrics in the Division of Psychology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Byars is a pediatric behavioral psychologist who specializes in behavioral assessment and treatment of children with acute and chronic medical conditions. His primary areas of interest are pediatric sleep disorders, pediatric dysphagia and pediatric elimination disorders. Dr. Byars directs the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Cincinnati Children's. He is also involved in the clinical training of postdoctoral fellows and residents.

    Dr. Byars' research interests are closely tied to his clinical practice. Dr. Byars has published research focusing on a number pediatric illness groups including feeding disorders, cardiac illness, cancer, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and insulin-dependent diabetes. Dr. Byars collaborates with other investigators at Cincinnati Children's. His current research efforts are focused on improving behavioral assessment and treatment strategies for children with sleep and feeding disorders.

    Dr. Byars received his PsyD from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Atlanta, GA. He completed an internship in Pediatric Psychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at Cincinnati Children's. Dr. Byars joined the faculty of Cincinnati Children's and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in July 2000.

    Education and Training

    PsyD: Georgia School of Professional Psychology, Atlanta, GA, 1998

    Residency: Clinical Psychology / Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

    Fellowship: Cincinnati Children' s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2000.

    Certification: Licensure in Psychology, State of Ohio, 2000; National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, 2001; Certification in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, June 2005.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications
    Barbara Chini is the Director of the Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship Program.

    Barbara Chini, MD
    Director, Pulmonary Fellowship Program

    513-636-6771

    barb.chini@cchmc.org

    Barbara Chini, MD

    Director, Pulmonary Fellowship Program

    Assistant Cystic Fibrosis Center Director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Fax: 513-636-4615

    Email: barb.chini@cchmc.org

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    Education and Training

    BS: University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana, 1986.

    MD: Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN, 1990.

    Internship: Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center Pediatrics, Rochester, New York, 1991.

    Residency: Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, 1993.

    Fellowships:  University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, 1994; Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1997.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    No photo available

    Joseph Crisalli, DO

    Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Email: joseph.crisalli@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Sejal V. Jain, MD
    Director, Epilepsy-Sleep Clinical Program

    513-636-4222

    sejal.jain@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Sejal V. Jain, MD

    Director, Epilepsy-Sleep Clinical Program

    Director, Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Program

    Pediatric Epileptologist

    Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-4222

    Email: sejal.jain@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Clinical Interests

    Medical and surgical management of epilepsy; sleep disorders

    Research Interests

    Sleep disorders in children with epilepsy; clinical drug trials

    Biography

    Dr. Jain is a clinical researcher who is trained in pediatric epilepsy and sleep medicine. Her clinical research is focused on sleep disorders in children with epilepsy. The core of her research is to identify the best treatment options for sleep disorders in children with epilepsy and evaluate the impact on seizure control. Dr. Jain is also interested in antiepileptic drug trials.

    Dr. Jain developed and is currently directing the Epilepsy-Sleep Clinical Program. She also directs the Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Program. She is ranked among America’s top physicians (Consumer Research Council of America, 2009-2012).

    Education and Training

    MD: Gujarat University, India.

    Residency: Nassau University Medical Center, NY.

    Fellowships: Clinical Neurophysiology and Pediatric Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.

    Certifications: Neurology (Child Neurology); Clinical Neurophysiology, Sleep Medicine.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    Clinical Research Feasibility Funds (CReFF). Principle Investigator. Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Apr 2010 - Jul 2013.

    Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). Principle Investigator. The National Center for Research Resources, NIH. Jul 2010 - Jul 2013. USPHS Grant # UL1RR026314.


    A photo of Julie Malkin.

    Julie R. Malkin, NP
    Nurse Practitioner

    513-636-6771

    julia.malkin@cchmc.org

    Julie R. Malkin

    Nurse Practitioner

    University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Fax: 513-636-4615

    Email: julia.malkin@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Sleep-disordered breathing in children; asthma

    Education and Training

    BSN: Columbia University, New York NY 1980.

    MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, University of Cincinnati, 1996.
    A photo of Gary Lewis McPhail, MD.

    Gary Lewis McPhail, MD
    Cystic Fibrosis Center Director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    513-636-6771

    gary.mcphail@cchmc.org

    Gary Lewis McPhail, MD

    Cystic Fibrosis Center Director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    Associate Director, Fellowship Training Program

    Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Fax: 513-636-4615

    Email: gary.mcphail@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Clinical Interests

    Medical Education; outcomes research; quality improvement; sleep medicine; thoracic insufficiency syndrome

    Research Interests

    Medical Education; Pulmonary Vascular Disease; Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome

    Education and Training

    MD: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX, 2001.

    Residency: Children's Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas TX, 2004.

    Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2007.

    Certification: Pediatrics, 2004; Pediatric Pulmonary, 2008.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    A photo of Hemant Sawnani.

    Hemant Sawnani, MD
    Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    513-636-6771

    hemant.sawnani@cchmc.org

    Hemant Sawnani, MD

    Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-6771

    Fax: 513-636-4615

    Email: hemant.sawnani@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Pediatric sleep disorders

    Education and Training

    MD: Seth GS Medical College/King Edward VIII Memorial Hospital, 1997.

    Residency: Pediatrics, Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center, New York NY, 2000.

    Fellowship: Pediatric Pulmonology, Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans LA, 2003; Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati OH, 2008.

    Certification: Pediatrics, 2000, recertified 2007; Pediatric Pulmonology, 2004.

    Administration

    No photo available

    Mary Ann Kaiser
    Administrative Assistant, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-1077

    maryann.kaiser@cchmc.org

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    Katie Morrow
    Administrative Assistant, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-1077

    kathryn.morrow@cchmc.org


    Nursing Staff

    Sleep Technicians/Respiratory Therapists

    No photo available

    Robin Adkins, RRT
    Sleep Technologist, Sleep Disorders Center

    513-636-3213

    robin.adkins@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Sallie Bauer, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist

    513-636-3213

    sallie.bauer@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    DeNetra Bamonte, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist

    513-636-3213

    denetra.bamonte@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Johnny Bryant, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist

    513-636-3213

    johnny.bryant@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    Rachelle Chitkara
    Sleep Technologist, Sleep Disorders Center

    513-636-3213

    rachelle.chitkara@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Amanda Coffey, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist, Sleep Disorders Center

    513-636-3213

    amanda.coffey@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    Amy Cole, RRT, RPSGT
    Lead Sleep Technologist, Sleep Disorders Center

    513-636-3213

    amy.cole@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Melodie Dixon, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-3213

    melodie.dixon@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    Connie S. Guyor, RRT
    Sleep Technologist, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-3213

    connie.guyor@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Joann Harmeyer, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-3213

    joann.harmeyer@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    Marion Y. Johnson, RRT
    Sleep Technologist, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-3213

    marion.johnson@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Margaret E. Landers, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist, Pulmonary Sleep Center

    513-636-3213

    margaret.landers@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    Susan McCarthy, RRT, RPSGT
    Sleep Technologist, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

    513-636-3213

    susan.mccarthy@cchmc.org

    No photo available

    Debbie Webster, BA, RRT, RPSGT
    Clinical Manager, Sleep Disorders Center

    513-636-3213

    debbie.webster@cchmc.org


    No photo available

    Tonya Weddle, RRT
    Sleep Technologist, Sleep Center

    513-636-3213

    tonya.weddle@cchmc.org