PRINCETON, W.Va. — WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital has expanded access to pediatric sleep medicine through a new collaboration with internationally recognized sleep specialist David Gozal, MD, bringing world‑class expertise to children and adolescents across southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia.
Hospital officials say the partnership will allow families to receive pediatric sleep evaluations and ongoing specialty care closer to home, reducing the need for long‑distance 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 health, and overall development. Symptoms 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, provide treatment recommendations, and offer 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.”
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 known for his research on how sleep disorders affect children’s health, 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.
Pediatric sleep evaluations may be appropriate for children with suspected sleep apnea, unexplained daytime sleepiness, behavioral or academic concerns, or medical conditions that increase the risk of sleep disorders.
For more information or to refer a patient, contact the PCH Sleep Lab at 304‑487‑7702.
