Sleep Medicine Symposium 2026
Sleep Medicine Symposium
April 8, 2026 | 9 AM – 5 PM
Session is in-person and virtual.
Attendance is free. The symposium is approved for 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
| AGENDA | Speakers' bios | sleep day |
Please register for the in-person session by March 30. Online registrations are accepted through April 7.
The event is on the CUSM campus and lunch will be provided.
For further information and a complete agenda, please contact Dr. Madhu Varma at
sleepsymposium@cusm.edu.
Sleep disorders are a common medical problem. Physicians in all specialties encounter patients with sleep problems. It is estimated that 50-70 million Americans have some form of sleep related problem and most often go untreated. Sleep problems can predispose individuals to many medical conditions, and, conversely, medical disorders can lead to sleep disturbance. Diabetes risk increases three-fold in patients with insomnia, and hypertension risk increases fivefold. Lack of sleep is responsible for an estimated 100,000 annual deaths in US hospitals due to medical errors, and the annual cost of sleep conditions in the US healthcare system is estimated to be about $150 billion.
CUSM Annual Sleep Symposium will emphasize practical approach to sleep disorders presenting in various specialties. Our speakers will focus on a spectrum of disorders, and then assessment and treatment of specific disorders such as Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy and Hypersomnia.
Sleep physicians will cover current technology use in diagnosing these disorders, as well as collaboration with other specialties such as ENT and Dentistry in providing optimal surgical care when CPAP/BIPAP are not effective.
Attendees will acquire Knowledge and skill in diagnosing and treating above problems.
Distinguished faculty and presenters include:
Distinguished Faculty:
PRAJAKTA DESHPANDE, MD
Sleep Medicine Physician, Sutter Health, Santa Rosa, CA
NATHAN JERGENSEN, DMD
Treats craniofacial pain, sleep apnea, and TMJ disorders at the TMJ and Sleep Therapy
Centre of Temecula & Hemet, Temecula, CA
SAM A. KASHANI, MD
Board Certified Sleep Physician; President, California Sleep Society
ANURAG SAHAI, MD, FCCP, FAASM
Board Certified in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine; Pulmonologist, Barstow
Community Hospital, Apple Valley, CA
MADHU VARMA, MBBS (MD), MS, MPH, MBA, M Ed.
Associate Professor of Medical Education, Lead Faculty Sleep Scholars Program, California
University of Science and Medicine, Colton, CA
JIN YANG, MD
Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Rady Children’s Health (formerly CHOC), Orange, CA
DESIRED OUTCOMES - At the conclusion of the activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify different common sleep disorders
- Utilize different screening tools available for free for diagnosing and suspecting sleep disorders
- Determine when to refer patient to a sleep physician
- Describe new technologies and standard diagnostic tests
- Interpret sleep reports and home sleep testing reports
- Employ appropriate treatment options and manage common problems arising from treatment
- Reflect on the patient populations we serve and evaluate how implicit bias may impact the appropriate care of these patients
The presentational method for this activity will be Case Presentation, Lecture with Q&A, and Small Group Discussion/Roundtable. This activity is geared to meet the educational requirements of Primary Care Physicians, Internal Medicine Physicians, Pediatricians, and Surgeons but is open to all physician specialties, Residents, Students, and Advanced Practice Providers. This activity will encompass the following desirable physician attributes: Patient Care & Procedural Skills, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, and System-Based Practice.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements 
and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
through the joint providership of CME Consultants and the California University of
Science and Medicine. CME Consultants is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing
medical education for physicians.
CME Consultants designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
There are other disciplines that may accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as equivalent CE or CEU for re-licensure or recertification, including, but not limited to, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants. It is advisable for you to verify equivalency with your specific governing body, as state boards vary in their requirements. Non-physicians can request a certificate of attendance outlining the number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ designated for this activity.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:
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7.25 CME credits in the CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology’s (ABA) redesigned Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology™ (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®.; and |
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7.25 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program; and |
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7.25 CME credits towards the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s (ABS) Continuous Certification program. |
It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABA, ABIM, or ABS MOC credit.
Participation threshold: The following is the minimum participation threshold to receive MOC credit: Engage in the live activity, complete the quiz with a passing grade of 75% or higher, and complete the Evaluation Form. For any questions about this process, please contact the CME Coordinator, Priscilla Graham, at priscilla@cmeconsultants.com.
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA),
please contact Madhu.Varma@cusm.edu should you require special assistance.