Michael J. Decker, PhD, RN, RRT, D.ABSM
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Decker is a co-founder and one of the principals of Fusion Sleep. He serves as the
company's Chief Scientific Officer heading up its science and research
programs. Dr. Decker is a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and
holds a PhD degree in Neurology. He also sees patients at the Fusion Sleep Center.
Dr. Decker was an Assistant Professor at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia until 2006. There, he directed a laboratory for basic science
as well clinical sleep disorders research funded by the National Institute of Health.
Before relocating to Georgia he trained for 14 years at Case Western Reserve University
with Dr. Kingman Strohl and Dr. Susan Redline, experts in the
field of sleep, pulmonary
medicine, and epidemiology of sleep disorders (Sleep Heart Health Study).
Dr. Decker
has authored an extensive list of
peer reviewed papers
and book chapters ranging from those describing development and validation of sleep recording equipment
and methodology, to the basic science of defining pulmonary and neural foundations of sleep and its disorders. Dr. Decker has served as consultant to various companies
including Medtronics, Respironics, Medcare, Invacare, Parexel International and
multiple pharmaceutical
companies.
Dr. Decker is board certified in Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicince
(ABSM). He holds a
Ph.D. degree in Anatomy/Neuroscience from the Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland, Ohio. He also holds a BSN degree in Nursing from the same
University and a Respiratory Technician’s degree from the California College of
Health Services, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dr. Decker is regularly an invited national and international speaker at various conferences
on sleep and related topics.
More on his Invited Lectures & Publications >>
Autobiography
I have always been fascinated with the science of sleep. That interest, which began
over 25 years ago, has taken me through the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve
University, and University Hospitals of Cleveland, where I received training by
world renowned scientists, clinicians, and engineers. During that time, I also participated
in expeditions sponsored by the National Science Foundation and National Geographic,
to the high altitude, low oxygen regions of Tibet, Ethiopia, and Bolivia. Those
expeditions helped advance our understanding of our genetic makeup influencing our
response to sleep related breathing disorders.
Following completion of my doctoral studies, I was recruited by the Department of
Neurology, at Emory University. There I developed a research laboratory dedicated
to understanding how sleep disordered breathing impairs brain activity. Discoveries
in my laboratory, funded through the National Institutes of Health, have revealed
potential relationships between Sleep Apnea and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). In addition to this, I also maintain an appointment as a visiting
scientist within the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, where I study sleep
in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
At Fusion Sleep, my years of experience enable me to oversee all aspects of your
experience with us. From the time you first speak with our associates to schedule
your appointment, and again as you meet with our physicians for your consultation,
and even during diagnostic testing or treatment, I will be reviewing your progress.
I will insure that your care plan is administered in an expedient manner that best
accommodates your schedule and lifestyle. Even after you leave our facility, I'll
be available for follow up questions or to facilitate follow up appointments with
us, if and when they are needed. I look forward to meeting and working with you.
Sincerely yours
Michael J. Decker, PhD, RN, RRT
Diplomate American Board of Sleep Medicine