2021 Award & Scholarship winners
Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS
Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH
Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH
The J. Catesby Ware, PhD Physician Award recognizes a VASM members’ exemplary commitment to advancing the fields of sleep research and sleep medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year’s winner is Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS.
Dr. Baldassari's research has led to insights regarding the medical and surgical treatments of
The J. Catesby Ware, PhD Physician Award recognizes a VASM members’ exemplary commitment to advancing the fields of sleep research and sleep medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year’s winner is Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS.
Dr. Baldassari's research has led to insights regarding the medical and surgical treatments of obstructive sleep disorders in children resulting in improvements in quality of life. She has impacted the specialty as a thought leader and active participant in the education of her peers in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology.
Dr. Baldassari has virtually a limitless amount of energy that she devotes to her patients, their families and to educating her peers. She is the author of 33 peer-reviewed publications (mostly on sleep topics) and 11 book chapters. She has received numerous grants to support her research from NIH, Industry, Medical Societies and Philanthropic organizations. She has developed teaching curriculums through AAO-HNS, ASPO and AAP as well as contributing item-writing for the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Internal Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She has made over 140 oral or poster presentations at National and Regional meetings on a variety of sleep topics. This has all been accomplished while also being the devoted mother of 3 children under the age of 11. She has been an essential ambassador between the fields of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Pediatric Sleep Medicine as one of the few "double-boarded" Pediatric sleep specialists in the country.
Dr. Baldassari exemplifies the essence of an Academic clinician and researcher with a devotion to her patients health care needs in conjunction with service to her specialty and ground-breaking research to advance her field.
Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH
Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH
Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH
The VASM Technologist Award recognizes a VASM technologist for their exemplary service and contribution to the polysomnographic profession. This year’s winner is Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH.
Steven has worked in pulmonary and neurology sleep clinics since September 2010 as a Polysomnographic Technologist. He is a
The VASM Technologist Award recognizes a VASM technologist for their exemplary service and contribution to the polysomnographic profession. This year’s winner is Steven Tompa, PhD, MSHEP, MHA, MA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH.
Steven has worked in pulmonary and neurology sleep clinics since September 2010 as a Polysomnographic Technologist. He is also a Professor of Health Sciences.
Steven has demonstrated exemplary moral character through hard work, integrity, caring, and team work in his career experiences with American Public University, Bayview Physician Group, Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine LLC., Riverside Health System, Sentara Healthcare, Stratford University, Tidewater Community College, and other colleges. He is respectful, compassionate, and a role-model for us all.
Steven's leadership in the profession began with A-STEP to obtain his RPSGT, RST, and CCSH credentials then state licensure, later earning his Master of Healthcare Administration and Doctorate of Philosophy in Health Sciences. His continued leadership in education is inspirational.
Steven shows success in the profession in his successful clinical sleep studies and titrations to improve patient respiratory issues for better physical and mental restoration. He educates his patients for improved sleep hygiene. He has published doctoral research focused on Southeastern U.S. parental perspectives to promote better sleep habits for adolescents.
Steven has provided service to the sleep community by presenting doctoral research findings at the Society of Adolescent Medicine, Virginia Academy of Sleep Medicine, Carolina Sleep Society, North Carolina Academy of Sleep Medicine, and others. He has mentored Sleep Technologists including myself to public speak at colleges. He incorporates sleep health in his health sciences lectures. He has volunteered his time with the American Heart Association and other community charities.
Frank Angus, DDS
Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
The winner of the 2021 VASM Michael O’Neill McMunn, DDS Distinguished Service Award
is Frank Angus, DDS.
The purpose of the award is to distinguish and recognize a VASM dental member for their exemplary service and contribution to the field of dental sleep medicine.
Dr. Angus was one of the founding fathers of the Virginia Academy of D
The winner of the 2021 VASM Michael O’Neill McMunn, DDS Distinguished Service Award
is Frank Angus, DDS.
The purpose of the award is to distinguish and recognize a VASM dental member for their exemplary service and contribution to the field of dental sleep medicine.
Dr. Angus was one of the founding fathers of the Virginia Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He served as a board member and was instrumental in setting up the organization.
Dr. Angus has been providing care for his patients for over 40 years. After graduation from Dental School, he practiced for 3 years as a Captain in the U.S. Army where he performed general dentistry. He opened his practice in Salisbury Village in 1974 and since then he has taken thousands of hours of continuing education, enhancing his skills in cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, sedation dentistry, and oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea and snoring. Dr. Angus recognizes that compassion, comfort, and exceptional care are the most important parts of his work.
Dr. Angus donates his free time to many dental missions. He believes in giving back to the community by volunteering at the Goochland Free Clinic. He serves in international Christian outreach dental missions, and donates dental care for those in need in the Appalachian region.
Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
The winner of the 2021 Katherine Florio Vorona Scholarship is Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate |Clinical Psychology | Behavioral Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University
The scholarship is available for those with special interest in the study and advancement of sleep medicine and understanding its impact on our community a
The winner of the 2021 Katherine Florio Vorona Scholarship is Elliottnell Perez, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate |Clinical Psychology | Behavioral Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University
The scholarship is available for those with special interest in the study and advancement of sleep medicine and understanding its impact on our community and our state.
Elliott's research has largely focused on the biopsychosocial correlates of sleep and sleep health, sleep and cognitive function in mid-to-late life, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. He has enthusiastically pursued opportunities to disseminate research findings on these topics and has 15 peer-reviewed publications and 21 presentations at regional and national sleep conferences. Moreover, he has applied his education in sleep medicine towards the delivery of cognitive-behavioral interventions to underserved individuals in the Richmond community.
2020 Award Winners
Glenna Winnie, MD
Ronnie Hayes, RPSGT
Ronnie Hayes, RPSGT
The J. Catesby Ware, PhD Physician Award recognizes a VASM members’ exemplary commitment to advancing the fields of sleep research and sleep medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year’s winner is Dr. Glenna Winnie who is the Immediate Past President of the VASM.
Dr. Winnie has been in practice as a pediatric pulmonologist and s
The J. Catesby Ware, PhD Physician Award recognizes a VASM members’ exemplary commitment to advancing the fields of sleep research and sleep medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year’s winner is Dr. Glenna Winnie who is the Immediate Past President of the VASM.
Dr. Winnie has been in practice as a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine physician for approximately 40 years. By founding the Pediatric and Adolescent Sleep Center in Fairfax, Virginia she brought high level subspecialty care to children who otherwise would have had difficulty obtaining care for their sleep disorders. She worked tirelessly to educate both physicians and families about the need for the appropriate diagnosis and management of
pediatric sleep issues.
Dr. Winnie has been very committed to the Virginia Academy of Sleep Medicine, and through her efforts has developed the VASM into a more comprehensive and inclusive group supporting treatment of sleep disorders through multispecialty collaboration.
Dr. Winnie is commended for her commitment to her patients, and her work in advancing the field of pediatric sleep medicine. She has always been passionate about sleep education not only for professionals, but for the general public as well.
Ronnie Hayes, RPSGT
Ronnie Hayes, RPSGT
Ronnie Hayes, RPSGT
The VASM Technologist Award recognizes a VASM technologist for their exemplary service and contribution to the polysomnographic profession. This year’s winner is Ronnie Hayes, Chief Technologist and Sleep Lab Manager at the VCU Health Center for Sleep Medicine. Ronnie has been a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT) for over
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The VASM Technologist Award recognizes a VASM technologist for their exemplary service and contribution to the polysomnographic profession. This year’s winner is Ronnie Hayes, Chief Technologist and Sleep Lab Manager at the VCU Health Center for Sleep Medicine. Ronnie has been a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT) for over
20 years.
The VCU Health Center for Sleep Medicine is a busy academic sleep medicine practice which provides care for patients of all ages, adult and pediatric, regardless of the level of acuity or complexity of medical history. He has helped to grow and develop both the inpatient and outpatient sleep testing services, tirelessly serving and being available to the staff and providers virtually
around-the-clock. He personally performs or oversees multiple RPSGT-based direct clinical services. He also oversaw a period of unprecedented growth in HSAT personally performing and/or supervising the dispensing of up to 40 HSAT units per week. He also personally performs or supervises the over-scoring of every PSG and HSAT study performed at the Center, both adult and pediatric, as well as every MSLT and MWT; greater than 2,000 sleep studies per year of various types
Ronnie is known for his 'heart of gold' and ever-present smile. His manners, demeanor and professionalism are impeccable.
Harmeet Chiang, DDS
Ronnie Hayes, RPSGT
Harmeet Chiang, DDS
The Michael O'Neill McMunn, DDS Distinguished Service Award was created in memory of Dr. McMunn for his lifelong commitment to the dental sleep medicine community, and his dedication to the VADSM & VASM annual conference. Dr. Harmeet Chiang is this year’s winner and she is with VCU School of Dentistry.
Dr. Chiang has a passion for treatin
The Michael O'Neill McMunn, DDS Distinguished Service Award was created in memory of Dr. McMunn for his lifelong commitment to the dental sleep medicine community, and his dedication to the VADSM & VASM annual conference. Dr. Harmeet Chiang is this year’s winner and she is with VCU School of Dentistry.
Dr. Chiang has a passion for treating patients that have OSA. In her position as an educator at the VCU School of Dentistry she has taken the opportunity for many years to have articles published and has also submitted posters for many years on topics of DSM. She works in a multidisciplinary clinic where she and her colleagues collaborate to decide on the best treatment choices for patients suffering with OSA. Dr .Chiang has gone above and beyond co teach DSM to the undergraduate students at the VCU School Of Dentistry.
She achieved the certification process with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine to obtain her Diplomate status with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM).