American Academy of Sleep Medicine Honors Five Pioneers for Transformative Contributions to Global Sleep Health

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine announces its 2026 award recipients, honoring top experts in sleep apnea research, education, and clinical advocacy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 7:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Distinguished Leadership in Epidemiology and Equity

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has selected Dr. Susan Redline to receive the Distinguished Leadership Award, highlighting her career as a professor at Harvard Medical School and director at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Redline has been a pivotal figure in leading large scale epidemiologic studies that investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Her current focus involves analyzing the heterogeneity of sleep apnea through the lens of social determinants of health and gender differences. By founding the National Sleep Research Resource, she has significantly improved the accessibility of sleep data, fostering a collaborative environment for precision medicine and patient advocacy.

Pioneering Research in Sleep Apnea Endophenotyping

The Excellence in Research Award has been granted to Professor Danny Eckert for his internationally recognized work in developing precision medicine approaches for sleep health. Serving as the Matthew Flinders Professor at Flinders University and a lead investigator at Harvard Medical School, Eckert has authored approximately 250 publications in high impact medical journals. His research into mechanistic endophenotyping has directly influenced the development of novel pharmacotherapies for sleep apnea. Beyond the laboratory, Eckert has expanded public awareness of sleep disorders as a leader of the television series, "Australia’s Sleep Revolution," bridging the gap between complex science and public understanding.

National Leadership in Sleep Medicine Education

Dr. Douglas Kirsch, a past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and current medical director at Atrium Health, is the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award. Dr. Kirsch has been instrumental in validating new diagnostic tools, including the 2025 study on the patient reported longitudinal assessment tool for obstructive sleep apnea, known as PLATO. His role as the lead editor of the definitive textbook, "Sleep Medicine," and his chairmanship of major national courses have shaped the curriculum for the next generation of specialists. His work ensures that evidence based educational standards are integrated across multi state health systems.