I had the privilege of chatting with Dr. Caroline Okorie, a dedicated sleep specialist and pediatric pulmonologist at Stanford Children's Health in California. Dr. Okorie's expertise spans various respiratory and sleep issues, making her a pivotal figure in the field of pediatric sleep medicine.

Check out the video episode here.

Dr. Okorie is deeply involved in medical education, health literacy, and community engagement, reflecting her passion for empowering patients and families to prioritize their health and well-being. As an underrepresented minority in pediatric sleep medicine—a specialized field already small and unique—her journey and insights are both inspiring and impactful.

In our conversation, Dr. Okorie shared her experience as a sleep medicine physician, detailing her career journey and the lessons learned along the way. She emphasized the transformative power of good sleep, underscoring its role in enhancing overall health and quality of life.

"My journey into sleep medicine began during my pediatric pulmonary fellowship at Stanford," Dr. Okorie explained. "I was fortunate to rotate through the Stanford Sleep Clinic, learning from pioneers in the field whose passion for sleep medicine was contagious."

She highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of sleep medicine, collaborating with specialists from neurology, internal medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics to innovate clinical solutions. "Every day, I see a diverse range of patients—from healthy children with common sleep concerns to those with complex medical syndromes and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD," she shared.

During the pandemic, Dr. Okorie observed significant disruptions in sleep routines among families, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions to restore healthy sleep patterns.

Reflecting on her journey as a Black woman in medicine, Dr. Okorie shared valuable insights. "I've learned to value my unique perspective," she said. "While initially hesitant to speak out, I now embrace my voice as a superpower, offering fresh insights and advocating for diverse patient needs."

Beyond medicine, Dr. Okorie harbors a passion for literature, considering a return to writing alongside her busy practice. "If not for medicine, I might have pursued a career in writing," she mused, highlighting her background as an English Literature major.

Dr. Okorie encourages anyone struggling with sleep issues to seek help from board-certified sleep specialists like herself. "Good sleep is an act of self-care and self-compassion," she emphasized. "If you or a loved one needs support, don't hesitate to reach out."

To find a board-certified sleep specialist in your area, you can click this link.

Interested in additional sleep support? Learn more about Sleep Coaching and our Private Practice The Restful Sleep Place.