black Woman with Insomnia Clock

Sleep Medicine Fellowship

Exceptional Clinical Training at the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center

Established in 1977

Emphasis on Sleep Neuroscience

Ongoing REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Research

Complex and Diverse Patient Experience

100% Pass Rate on Sleep Medicine Board Exams

ACGME-Accredited

About the Program

About Our Program

The Sleep Medicine Fellowship trains the next generation of sleep specialists in all aspects of sleep-wake and circadian disorders. Fellowship training includes sleep neuroscience, parasomnias, hypersomnias, sleep-related movement disorders, and sleep-disordered breathing in cardiovascular and pulmonary disease settings.

Our three-site program delivers a wide spectrum of patient diversity and clinical experience. Fellows rotate at dedicated sleep clinics within three of the region’s largest academic training hospitals, Hennepin Healthcare and the University of Minnesota-Fairview, and the Minneapolis VA Hospital. Fellows work side-by-side with staff who are leaders in the field and passionate about teaching.

Our program was founded in 1977 and ACGME-accredited in 2005.

Curriculum

About Our Curriculum

A Forward-Thinking Approach to Sleep Neuroscience

The sleep medicine curriculum provides a comprehensive education in clinical sleep medicine for adults and children, with an emphasis on sleep neuroscience. We maintain a well-earned reputation for our collegial atmosphere and supportive environment. Our forward-thinking approach emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, hands-on clinical skills, and the latest technology to deliver exceptional patient care.

We collaborate with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Magnetic Resonance Research to access the latest imaging technology for sleep medicine research. Fellows evaluate, monitor, and treat sleep disorders with remote access to polysomnograms, home polysomnographic recording, and interpretive equipment. 

We are one of the unique programs to offer experience in telesleep medicine at the Minneapolis VA site which incorporates innovative of clinical practice for patient care.

We support scholarly activities and research pursuits of our fellows. The Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center has a long history of discovery and innovation and participates in a number of ongoing clinical trials. We are actively investigating REM sleep behavior disorder and its relationship to Parkinson’s disease, as well as other parasomnias.

Didactics

About Our Educational Experience

Ample Didactic Opportunities Each Thursday
Fellows can build their knowledge with several required and optional conferences each week. Topics range from new research and challenging cases to practical skills required to manage a sleep clinic.

Specialists from Hennepin Healthcare, the Minneapolis VA Hospital, and the University of Minnesota-Fairview attend and present.

Didactic Opportunities

Weekly Case Conference:

  • 7:30 am, every Thursday
  • Present challenging cases and discuss management options with clinical staff

Didactic Teaching:

  • 8:30 am, 2-3 Thursdays per month
  • Faculty present on a variety of topics

Administrative Meeting:

  • 8:30 am, one Thursday per month
  • Best practices for managing a sleep center

Journal Club:

  • 8:30 am, one Thursday per month
  • Discuss the latest developments in sleep medicine

Research Meeting:

  • Third Thursday evening of each month
  • Faculty and fellows discuss sleep medicine over dinner
Faculty

About Our Faculty

Dedicated Staff with a Passion for Teaching

Eleven core faculty lead the Sleep Medicine Fellowship, each holding staff positions at Hennepin Healthcare, The Minneapolis VA Hospital, or the University of Minnesota-Fairview. Our faculty are nationally recognized for their work and activities within the field of sleep medicine.

Program leadership

  • Dr. Muna Irfan, Program Director, Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, Hennepin Healthcare and Medical Director, Sleep Services VAMC Minneapolis
  • Dr. Erin Golden, Sleep Medicine Site Education Director, Hennepin Healthcare
  • Snigdha Pulsavidyasagar Sleep Medicine Site Director, University of Minnesota

Areas of Expertise

Every day our faculty share their dedication and expertise in a variety of key disciplines.

Pediatric Sleep
Dr. Armantina Espinosa
Dr. John Garcia
Dr. Helena Molero

Sleep, Pulmonary and Critical Care
Dr. Michele LeClaire
Dr. Terezea Cervenka
Dr. Con Iber
Dr. Wajahat Khalil

Sleep Psychiatry
Dr. Carlos Schenck
Dr. Ranji Varghese
Dr. Thomas Hurwitz
Dr. Stephen Talsness

Sleep Neurology
Dr. Michael J. Howell
Dr. Erin Golden
Dr. Muna Irfan

Dental Sleep Medicine
Dr. Dennis Haley
Dr. Jonathon Parker
Dr. Chia-Yin Lo

Sleep and ENT
Dr. Jennifer Hsia

Sleep and Internal Medicine/Family Medicine
Dr. Chandra M. Cherukari
Dr. Snigdha Pulsavidyasagar

Rotation Schedule

Comprehensive Training at Three Leading Sleep Clinics

FL-1 Rotations

About Our Rotations

Residents rotate in four-month blocks at three of the leading sleep medicine centers in the Twin Cities. Fellows work with experienced faculty at each location.

Fellows have a continuity clinic at one site for the year.

All rotations comply with duty hours. 

man trying to sleep, stopbang, sleep apnea score, sleep apnea questionnaire, sleep apnea screening, stopbang score

Testimonials

“The fellowship training I had in Sleep Medicine was singularly the most beneficial year of medical training in my career.  Understanding the role that sleep plays in the many capacities of human physiology and how, through Sleep Medicine, we may help patients through our knowledge was an incredibly rewarding experience.  The staff was nothing short of spectacular, and second to none.  I was well prepared to step into my role as a sleep physician and excel once training was completed.”

What Sets Us Apart?

History of discovery.

Hennepin Healthcare researchers were first to recognize several common sleep disorders, including REM sleep behavior disorder and its link to Parkinson’s disease, and sleep-related eating disorder and its relationship to restless leg syndrome.

Complex cases.

The sleep center draws national and international referrals for complicated conditions and rare disorders. Fellows gain hands-on experience evaluating and treating patients with severe conditions.

Patient diversity.

Fellows care for patients from across the spectrum of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with healthcare needs at all levels of severity. Rotations at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA include patients across large hospital networks. Hennepin and University rotations feature comprehensive pediatric experiences.

Post-fellowship opportunities.

More than 100 physicians have received advanced sleep medicine training at Hennepin Healthcare since our program was founded in 1977. Our alumni hold clinical and research positions around the world. Since 2005, 100% of our graduates who have taken sleep medicine board exams have passed.

Application Requirements

Applications Due September 1

Requirements

Your application must include:

  • Medical school transcripts
  • Dean’s letter
  • Minimum of two letters of recommendation
  • USMLE Step 1
  • Personal statement

We are interested in a diverse group of medical specialties, which include but are not limited to internal/family medicine, neurology, psychiatry, pulmonary/critical care, cardiology, otolaryngology, and pediatrics.

Non-resident applicants are welcome to apply. Hennepin Healthcare sponsors the J1 visa only.

Process

  1. Submission: Submit your application through the Electronic Resident Application System (ERAS). Contact your medical school’s student affairs or dean’s office for instructions. We do not accept applications through the mail. Hennepin Healthcare participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
  2. Scoring: Our program does not require a minimum score. We are looking for unique individuals with diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated an interest in sleep medicine, a commitment to excellence in patient care, and a naturally collaborative personality.
  3. Interviews: Selected applicants will be invited for interviews. We hold interviews August 1 through early October.

About Our Facility

Fellows rotate in four-month blocks at dedicated sleep medicine clinics within Hennepin Healthcare, the University of Minnesota, and the Minneapolis VA Hospital.

Contact

contact photo only margaret miller

Margaret Miller

Fellowship Coordinator
612-873-2349
[email protected]

Hennepin Healthcare
701 Park Avenue, G8
Minneapolis MN 55415

contact photo only muna irfan md

Muna Irfan, MD

Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program Director
[email protected]

Graduate Resources

Training Tomorrow’s Healthcare Leaders

Residency Programs

Accredited Residency Programs

Fellowship Programs

Distinguished Fellowship Options