What is Sleep Really?

We all agree we can’t live without sleep; many studies have been done on the detrimental effects of going without it. Each of us has a unique relationship with sleep but is that a healthy relationship or one fraught with difficulties? It is essential to understand the purpose of sleep and its vast importance in […]

When Your Sleep Window Opens – Don’t Let It Close Without You

Do you know when your body naturally prepares for sleep? A few years back, I devised the “Washington Sleep Wellness Window” to help my patients remember when their sleep cues begin to appear, indicating the opening of a window that invites them to the world of restful sleep. I emphasize this to highlight the importance […]

Lack of Sufficient Sleep (LOSS) Carries Greatest Risk to Children

While all of us are affected by lack of sufficient sleep, what I dubbed LOSS, children living in toxic stress environments are perhaps the most vulnerable to the damaging consequences of insufficient sleep. The concept of LOSS and its effects on health and personal well-being are essential to understanding the risks to children. The ramifications […]

How Sufficient Sleep Mitigates Toxic Stress and Trauma

It has been well-accepted that stress, physical and mental, is detrimental to our health and can contribute to illness. Mothers know it. Doctors talk and write about it. It is a prominent, irrefutable causal relationship for most of us. As convinced of the idea as you may be by your observations and what you have […]

Excerpt from sample Letter of Participation

Dear Administrator,

As a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, I have practiced family medicine in San Jose, California, for over 35 years. Over the years, I have been an associate clinical professor at the Stanford Medical School affiliated with the San Jose Family Medicine Residency program and a department chairman of the Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. I have also served as a preceptor for the learning experience of Stanford medical students, physician assistant students, family practice residents, and international medical graduates.

On (date), the (IMG Participant) completed a four-week Observership-type clinical experience designed to provide an international medical graduate with a comprehensive introduction to US Healthcare…

During the four weeks, I discussed and gave participants insight into the following:

  • daily responsibilities and various roles of the primary care physician, including the role of gatekeeper for referral to specialists, Administrator for paperwork such as state disability, work and jury duty excuses, and adjudication for the DMV
  • patient-centered, integrated, holistic approach to patient care