Sleep Medicine Symposium: About Speakers

Dr. Madhu Varma, MD: Associate Professor Medical Education, Lead Faculty Sleep Scholars Program, California University of Science and Medicine. Her current research interests include EEG changes in sleep architecture in health and disease.

Dr. Jin Yang, MD: Dr. Jin Yang is a fellowship trained Otolaryngologist at Rady Children’s Hospital in Orange. As an expert in pediatric otolaryngology, Dr. Yang cares for babies, kids and teens with a wide variety of hearing, breathing, and speaking related conditions. She specializes in treating ear and hearing related problems, microtia reconstruction, nose and sinus issues, head and neck mass, sleep apnea and vascular anomalies. Dr Yang’s research interest include outcome orientated clinical research. She strongly believes in evidence-based practice and strives to improve the way to treat children.

Dr. Prajakta Deshpande, MD: Dr. Prajakta Deshpande is a board certified Sleep Medicine and Family Medicine physician and received her training through residency at the University of Washington. She currently practices as a sleep specialist at Sutter Hospital. Prior to that, she was with UCI as an Assistant Clinical Professor where she coordinated the Sleep Medicine curriculum for the Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Deshpande is currently pursuing a Physicians MBA program at the Kelley School of Business to expand her contribution to Sleep Medicine systemically and clinically.

Dr. Anurag Sahai, MD: Dr. Anurag Sahai, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Mayo Clinic Trained Sleep Physician, board certified in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, has been managing patients with Sleep disorders for the last 20+ years. As a community-based physician, he sees a broad spectrum of sleep disorders often overlapping with other chronic comorbidities. He will be sharing his experience with Sleep Apnea and its management. He has been a great support to our Sleep Medicine Scholars Program for last three years with in person lectures and practicum portion at his clinic supporting and educating our students in sleep medicine.

Dr. Sam Kashani, MD: Dr. Sam A. Kashani is a board certified Sleep Medicine Specialist at UCLA. Dr. Kashani completed his residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Sleep fellowship at UCLA . He is an Assistant clinical professor of medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, President-elect of the California Sleep Society, and is on the Board of Directors for the California Sleep Society. His clinical interests include chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, parasomnias, pediatric sleep disorders, and the associations between sleep, obesity, and metabolic health.

Dr. Nathan Jergensen, DMD: Dr. Jergensen focuses exclusively on TMJ disorders and sleep apnea, offering advanced treatments such as oral appliance therapy and personalized care plans designed around each patient’s unique needs. He believes that no one should have to live with daily pain, restless nights, or constant fatigue — and his goal is to help patients reclaim the happy, healthy lives they deserve.