Nov. 17, 2022 | University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Founder's Day Lecture
Honoree & Speaker:
Sairam Parthasarathy, MD
The Murray and Clara Walker Memorial Endowed Chair in Emphysema
Professor of Medicine and Chief, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson
Director, Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences, University of Arizona Health Sciences
Medical Director, Center for Sleep Disorders, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson
Dr. Parthasarathy is a nationally recognized expert in sleep medicine, conducting important research on sleep, breathing and inflammation. In addition to today’s recognition and honor, he has been named one of Tucson’s best physicians many years in a row by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Parthasarathy has served in leadership roles in national organizations, shaping the science of sleep medicine and the treatment of sleep disorders. He is the current President of the Sleep Research Society Foundation, and previously the chairperson for the Sleep Research Network. He also serves in editorial positions for multiple peer-reviewed medical journals. He has previously served as chairman of the Sleep Disorders Advisory Board to the NIH, and conducts research that is funded by the NIH, PCORI, and industry.
He is the founding director of the Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences, medical director of the Center for Sleep Disorders, and a special adviser to the NIH and NHLBI.
Dr. Parthasarathy has published more than 172 papers in peer-reviewed journals and received more than $27 million in research grant awards from the NIH; another $7.1 million from other Federal entities (PCORI, VA, etc.) and additionally $5.1 million from foundation sources and industry.
In addition to his notable scientific achievements, Dr. Parthasarathy is also dedicated to addressing health disparities and reducing misinformation and mistrust of science and medicine in underrepresented communities. Earlier this year, the All of Us Research Program named him an Arizona Health Champion in recognition of his work with the Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID Disparities, or CEAL, for which Dr. Parthasarathy is the contact principal investigator. His leadership with CEAL combines his dedication to community outreach and passion for alleviating health disparities, which he accomplishes by facilitating open dialogue and partnerships with communities about COVID-19 prevention and vaccination. His goal has been to provide trustworthy, science-based information through community engagement and outreach to support communities hardest hit by the pandemic.