Sleep Apnea & Multi-Modal Transportation Conference Offers Focus on Health, Safety and Economic Impact of Sleep Apnea for All Modes of Transportation

Washington, DC – September 22, 2011 –With its 2011 Sleep Apnea & Multi-Modal Transportation Conference (SAMTC) on November 8 – 9, 2011, the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) continues its efforts to address a major cause of fatigue in US transportation. Co-sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), this second in a series of health and safety conferences focuses on the role of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management within the major modes of transportation, including air, rail, ground and maritime.

ASAA has assembled a leading group of officials from US regulatory agencies, labor groups and transportation companies as well as top experts in economics and health care to take a comprehensive look at the role, consequences and opportunities associated with OSA in transportation. Earlier this year, the National Transportation Safety Board released its latest list of top ten "most critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives." Number two on the list is "address human fatigue" including a "medical oversight system must recognize the dangers of sleep-related medical impairments, such as obstructive sleep apnea."

"SAMTC 2011 builds on last year's conference, which focused on OSA management in trucking", said ASAA Executive Director, Edward Grandi. With the National Transportation Safety Board issuing recommendations for sleep apnea management in all major modes of transportation, we believe this conference will be tremendously beneficial for the regulatory agencies, industries and employees coping with the health, safety and economic issues associated with this increasingly visible problem by providing a forum to share updates, information and ideas."

The 2011 SAMTC is organized by ASAA to provide a state-of-the-OSA science approach with a specific focus on practical issues relevant to operating companies and their employees. Conference topics and speakers will hone in on operational considerations pertaining to OSA diagnosis and treatment which ultimately affect fitness, certification, and related workplace issues. Informative presentations, reality-based program implementation and outcomes, and panel discussions will provide a forum in which current practices can be identified and discussed from all relevant viewpoints.

Among others, speakers include:

The Honorable James E. Hall, Former Chair, National Transportation Safety Board

The Honorable Mark R. Rosekind, Member, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Bernard Arseneau, DO, MD, Medical Director, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Benisse Lester, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration

Laura Gillis, Medical Director, U.S. Coast Guard

Nicholas Lomangino, MD, Deputy Manager, Federal Aviation Administration

William P. Molmen, General Counsel, Integrated Benefits Institute

Mitchell Garber, MD, former Medical Officer, National Transportation Safety Board

Natalie P. Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM, President/Chief Medical Officer, OccuMedix

James Stem, National Legislative Director, United Transportation Union, Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers

The two-day is being held at the Sheraton Baltimore Civic Center on November 8-9, 2011. Registration is $375 ($275 for government employees). More information about the conference program, speakers, registration, sponsorship, exhibitor and advertising opportunities are available at: www.samtc2011.org. For more information, contact Event Manager, Dave Buczek, dave.buczek@dbainnovation.com and (703)861- 5332 or ASAA Executive Director, Ed Grandi, egrandi@sleepapnea.org or (202) 293-3650, ext. 4.