#TopDocTuesday – Meet Sleep Specialist Dr. Wynne Chen

“The best part of my job as a sleep physician is having the opportunity to meet interesting people every day and educate them about a vital part of their daily lives that is often overlooked – their sleep,” says Sleep Specialist Dr. Wynne Chen.

“We now know that common sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) spares no one, and afflicts the young and old alike, often without classic symptoms such as loud snoring or frank apneas. Indeed, OSAS in children can mimic ADHD, and fatigue and insomnia may herald the onset of sleep-disordered breathing among thin individuals. In diagnosing sleep disorders, I am gratified in helping patients fit the pieces together in the puzzle of symptoms that they often have struggled with for years. In the process, I also appreciate that related discussions about diet and promoting a healthy lifestyle, can further empower them to take greater responsibility for their present and future health.”

Dr. Chen studied at Dartmouth College where he majored in Biology, concentrating in Molecular Genetics and graduating with distinction. He returned home to New York state and graduated from S.U.N.Y. Stonybrook School of Medicine in 1995. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, prior to subspecialty Fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, as well as Sleep Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center in California. As a postdoctoral fellow, his clinical research interests included the physiology behind sleep disordered breathing, and functional neuroimaging in Narcolepsy with cataplexy.

He joined Southlake Clinic in 2006 and is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Chen cares for patients in the Critical Care Center at Valley Medical Center, and practices outpatient Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, with an emphasis on the latter. He also has a strong interest in Medical Informatics, and outside of work, enjoys music, running and exploring the Puget Sound.

Dr. Chen recommends the following web resources:

• National Sleep Foundation 
• SleepforKids.org
• TED Talk by Jeff Iliff PhD, whose recent research possibly explains why sleep is so restorative, while suggesting a potential link between poor sleep and dementia.
• TED Talk by Celeste Headlee about communication-  reminding us to always, “listen with the intent to understand”.

* The 2016 Seattle Met Top Doctors survey polled doctors, nurses and physician assistants across King, Snohomish, Kitsap and Pierce counties, asking “If you or a loved one needed medical care, whom would you choose?” Voters nominated their peers based on the provider’s level of experience and competency within their specialty, rapport with patients – including patient satisfaction and compliance with care recommendations – and ability to work effectively with colleagues across specialties to deliver the best care for patients.