PRINCETON, W.Va. — WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital (PCH) has expanded access to pediatric sleep medicine through a new collaboration with internationally recognized sleep specialist David Gozal, MD, bringing specialized expertise to children and adolescents throughout southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia.
The collaboration enables families in the region to access pediatric sleep evaluations and ongoing specialty care closer to home, reducing the need for travel to larger academic medical centers.
“At Princeton Community Hospital, we are committed to bringing advanced specialty care to the communities we serve,” said Karen Bowling, president and CEO of PCH.
“Through this collaboration with Dr. Gozal, families throughout our region will have access to world-class pediatric sleep medicine expertise while remaining close to home and their support systems.”
Sleep disorders in children can affect learning, behavior, growth, emotional well-being, and overall health. Symptoms often extend beyond sleep itself and may include chronic snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, attention difficulties, behavioral concerns, or academic challenges.
Children referred for evaluation can undergo testing through the PCH Sleep Lab. Dr. Gozal will interpret pediatric sleep studies, develop treatment recommendations, and provide consultations and follow-up care through telemedicine.
“This collaboration creates an important resource for both families and referring providers,” Bowling said.
“It allows children to receive highly specialized evaluation and management while supporting local physicians with access to nationally recognized expertise in pediatric sleep medicine.”
Dr. Gozal serves as vice president for health affairs at Marshall University and dean of the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. A pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist, he is internationally recognized for his research and clinical leadership in pediatric sleep disorders. His work has helped shape the understanding of how sleep disorders affect children’s health, development, behavior, and academic performance.
In addition to expanding access to care, Dr. Gozal has committed to donating 100 percent of his compensation from this work to the Marshall University Foundation to support medical education in West Virginia.
“Dr. Gozal’s dedication to improving the health of children is matched only by his commitment to strengthening the future of healthcare in our state,” Bowling said.
“We are honored to partner with him in both of those missions.”
Pediatric sleep evaluations may be appropriate for children with suspected sleep apnea as well as those experiencing unexplained daytime sleepiness, behavioral concerns, academic difficulties, and certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk for sleep disorders.
For more information or to refer a patient, contact the PCH Sleep Lab at 304-487-7702.
