We are excited to highlight the educational program at CHEST 2026, taking place in Phoenix from October 18–21. This year’s program features timely sessions on emerging sleep research, and attendees will have multiple opportunities to hear from AASM Foundation grant recipients.

The AASM Foundation congratulates Nathan C. Nowalk, MD (2024 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee and 2025-2026 Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers Fellow), on receiving the Network Rising Star Award, which recognizes individual contributions to clinical care, education, research, or other scholarly activities. Be sure to hear from him during the Sleep Medicine Network Open Forum on Monday, October 19, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Phoenix Convention Center, West Building, Room 104.

Be sure to attend the following sessions featuring AASM Foundation grant recipients and volunteers:

Sunday, October 18:

  • Turning Guidelines Into Action: Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Hospitalized Patients
    • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
    • Featuring: Reena Mehra, MD, MS, FCCP (2021 Bridge to Success Grant for Mid-Career/Senior Investigators recipient)
  • Current Updates in CSA, OHS, and OSA-COPD Overlap Syndrome
    • 4:45–5:45 PM
    • Featuring: Ritwik Agrawal, MD, FCCP (2019 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee)

Monday, October 19:

  • Sleep and Circadian Disruption: A Therapeutic Target to Improve ICU Outcomes—Non-respiratory Sleep Section
    • 3:00–3:15 PM
    • Featuring: Christopher Lau, MD (2026 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee)

Tuesday, October 20:

  • Updates in Sleep Disturbances: Beyond Sleep-Disordered Breathing
    • 8:00–9:00 AM
    • Featuring: Paul Chung, DO (2022 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee)
  • Screening and Management of OSA in Pregnancy: Review of Etiology and New Guidelines From CHEST
    • 9:15–10:15 AM
    • Featuring: Ghada Bourjeily, MD (2023 Strategic Research Grant recipient)
  • Cardiovascular Risk in Sleep Apnea: From Biology to Bedside
    • 10:20–11:05 AM
    • Featuring: Christopher Lau, MD (2026 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee)
  • Advancing Sleep Health Equity: Challenges in Providing Rural and Culturally Informed Care
    • 2:45–3:45 PM
    • Featuring: Christopher Lau, MD (2026 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee)

Wednesday, October 21:

  • How to Provide the Best Care for Patients with Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia
    • 9:15–10:15 AM
    • Featuring: Joyce Lee-Iannotti, MD (AASM Foundation Board member)
  • Rewriting OSA Care: How GLP-1 Therapies Are Reshaping Sleep Medicine
    • 1:15–2:15 PM
    • Featuring: Nathan C. Nowalk, MD (2024 Young Investigators Research Forum trainee and 2025-2026 Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers Fellow)

For more information, visit the CHEST Annual Meeting website.