Gerald B. Rich, MD

Professional Education

Interview with Dr. Rich on KATU Channel 2

Our full-time, on-premises Medical Director, Dr. Gerald B. Rich received his MD degree from Oregon Health Sciences University in 1975. Dr. Rich also received his internship training from Oregon Health Sciences University, followed by residency training and fellowships in both Neurology and Psychiatry at world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Professional Experience

Medical Co-Director of the Baltimore Regional Sleep/Wake Disorders Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospitals, and Assistant Professor of Neurology Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1980.

Founder and Medical Director of the Northwest Region's first sleep disorders program in 1981, at the Good Samaritan Hospital's Neurological Sciences Center in Portland, Oregon. This later became the region's first fully accredited sleep disorders center.

Board certification as a sleep specialist achieved in 1984, granted by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.

Primary medical practice focus has been the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
Efforts have also been directed at advancing the field of sleep disorders medicine. Lectures to the public as well as professional associations have been a priority. Participant in organizing and testifying at hearings for the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research which culminated in the creation of the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research, part of the National Institutes of Health.

In 1994 established the free-standing, full service sleep center which has become the Pacific Sleep Program, in 1997 becoming the area's first such center to be fully accredited.

Member of both the Accreditation Committee (dealing with standards of care of new and existing sleep centers) and Health Policy and Governmental Affairs Committees for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Site visitor American Academy of Sleep Medicine, providing certification inspections for other sleep centers seeking national accreditation.

Professional Associations

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine
• Association of Professional Sleep Societies
• Sleep Research Society
• World Federation of Sleep Research
• National Sleep Foundation
• Oregon Medical Association
• Restless Legs Foundation
• International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group
• American Academy of Neurology
• American Medical Association
• The Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland

Other Sleep Disorders Medicine Interests

Clinical research has become increasingly important to the Program; with a wide range of topics; including the diagnosis and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, pharmaceutical research, restless legs syndrome, and dizziness disorders and sleep.