COLORADO SLEEP INSTITUTE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Cofounder
• Founder of the Colorado Sleep Institute Treatment & DME Divisions

Mr. Wertz is the founder of the Colorado Sleep Institute Treatment & DME Divisions (formerly Sleep Therapeutics) which he established in 2008 to provide comprehensive treatments for sleep disorders. Mr. Wertz received his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Organismic Population Biology along with a minor in business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Mr. Wertz began his career in sleep at the University of Colorado's Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center where he studied under Dr. Kenneth Wright and published research in the Journal of the American Medical Association and Sleep. After completion of his research he worked as the clinical specialist and manager of the Boulder Community Sleep Disorders Center, where he created a new sleep center and obtained Accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In addition, Mr. Wertz has been an invited research presenter at the annual Association of Professional Sleep Societies conference and is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Mr. Wertz has over 15 years of experience in sleep medicine and has devoted his career to creating comprehensive sleep medicine centers to provide optimal care and improved clinical outcomes for those individuals suffering from sleep disorders. In his free time, Mr. Wertz enjoys skiing, biking, fly-fishing, hiking and spending family time with his daughter and wife.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Board - Certified Neurologist
• Facility Director

Dr. Barber is a board-certified neurologist and is both fellowship-trained & board-certified in Sleep Medicine. Having spent a large portion of his younger years living in Colorado Dr. Barber enthusiastically joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2015 and has devoted his practice full-time to Sleep Medicine. He completed his neurology residency at Loma Linda University and sleep fellowship training at the highly regarded Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Center at The University of Michigan. After completion of his training, Dr. Barber practiced medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem in the northern suburbs of Chicago for 3 years. Dr. Barber is an active member in the Colorado Medical Society and completed service of a three-year term on the Lifelong Learning Development Committee at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in 2018. Dr. Barber understands that by solving an individual's sleep issues he is also helping to balance all components of their wellbeing and health. As a physician, he has learned that a patient is not just a problem that needs to be fixed; a patient is a human being comprised of a mind, body and spirit. He believes that in order to achieve his goals, he must listen carefully to each person and formulate the best treatment plan for him or her. In his free time, Dr. Barber enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, traveling, and being outdoors. As a CSU alumnus, he is an avid sports fan (go Rams!).

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• Cycle Manager

Job Titles:

• Dental Director
• Member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

Dr. Isabella Jasek earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Prior to this, she graduated summa cum laude from Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences. Dr. Jasek completed the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine's mastery program and is a qualified sleep dentist. Prior to devoting her career to sleep medicine, Dr. Jasek provided general dentistry in Wisconsin and Colorado. She also volunteered her time to zoo dentistry at the Denver Zoo. Dr. Jasek joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2023. Dr. Jasek was drawn to the field of dental sleep medicine because of its rewarding impact on an individual's quality of life. She values getting to know each of her patients to create the best plan for their sleep health together. Dr. Jasek is also bilingual, speaking fluent Polish and English. Dr. Jasek is an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the Colorado Dental Association, where she serves as the President of the Council of New Dentists. When she's not in the office, Dr. Jasek enjoys skiing, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her fiancé, Anthony, and their dog, Piper!

Job Titles:

• Physician

Dr. Onate is board-certified in Internal Medicine and fellowship-trained in Sleep Medicine. He has practiced sleep medicine full time and served as Clinical Assistant Professor for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. In his practice, he treats the complete range of sleep disorders in both pediatric and adult populations. Dr. Onate received his Doctorate of Medicine from José Matías Delgado University and thereafter completed an Internal Medicine residency at Texas Tech University. Seeking further specialization, he completed a sleep medicine fellowship at Tulane University in New Orleans. He joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2019. As a sleep physician Dr. Onate enjoys educating his patients and their families about the complex interaction between sleep disorders and chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He is especially interested in the treatment of insomnia and narcolepsy as well as the management of sleep-related breathing disorders in both children and adults. He understands the critical importance of listening and giving his patients the tools they need to improve their sleep health and thus their well-being. Dr. Onate is an active member in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Colorado Medical Society. During his free time Dr. Onate enjoys exploring the community, hiking, reading, and spending time with his wife and their fluffy dog.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Research and Development Director

Dr. Stothard is the Research and Development Director for the Colorado Sleep Institute. She earned her dual doctorate in Physiology and Neuroscience with a specialization in Sleep and Circadian Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on understanding how daily activities, especially sleep/wakefulness behaviors and light exposure, can lead to altered behavioral decision making and adverse metabolic health outcomes. Dr. Stothard's academic accomplishments include papers published in peer-reviewed literature and research presented at regional, national, and international meetings. She has worked on and managed research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Naval Research, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Research and Development companies. She is also an active member of the Sleep Research Society and American Academy of Sleep Medicine. As part of her doctoral training, she was the project leader and co-lead author of a study examining how sleep and biological timing are impacted differently by electrical lighting in our modern environment compared natural light in the outdoor environment. She had the opportunity to discuss the exciting findings of this study in interviews with local, national and international media, and private organizations, including Colorado Sleep Institute. Dr. Stothard joined the Colorado Sleep institute in 2018 to continue the pursuit of her interest in sleep research. She is passionate about bringing research out of the laboratory and into the real world. She enjoys thinking outside of the box to find creative solutions, talking about sleep and circadian research, and is excited for the opportunity to work with the patients and colleagues at the Colorado Sleep Institute. When her nose is not in a spreadsheet, you can find Dr. Stothard in the mountains, hanging out with friends and dogs, or eating ice cream.

Job Titles:

• Certified Physician Assistant

Erica Berkowitz is a nationally board-certified physician assistant. She graduated from Lock Haven University with a Master of Health Science degree. Prior to starting PA school, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lock Haven University's undergraduate Health Science program. Upon completing her physician assistant program, Erica moved to Denver and began practicing in general adult Neurology. Within her practice, she was treating a variety of neurological conditions, including headaches, seizures, movement disorders and dementia. Since joining Colorado Sleep Institute in 2021, Erica has devoted her career full-time to Sleep Medicine. She was drawn to this field of medicine because of its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to patient care, as well as its ever-changing and advancing technologies. She is an active member of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the American Academy of Physician Assistants. In her free time, Erica enjoys hiking, exercising, trying new restaurants and foods, and spending time with her Corgi.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• PAPClinic Manager

Job Titles:

• Board - Certified Neurologist

Dr. Andersen is a board-certified neurologist and is both fellowship-trained & board-certified in Sleep Medicine. Having devoted her practice to Sleep Medicine full-time, she joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2016. Dr. Andersen completed medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and went on to complete her Neurology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She stayed at Vanderbilt Medical Center to complete her fellowship training in Sleep Medicine. After fellowship training Dr. Andersen moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin and practiced both neurology and sleep medicine at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She transitioned to full-time sleep medicine at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in 2012 and served as Medical director of the Gundersen Lutheran Sleep Center. Dr. Andersen is an active member in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Colorado Medical Society. Dr. Andersen finds it very rewarding to witness significant improvement in the lives of her patients through proper treatment a sleep disorder. She particularly enjoys teaching patients and their family members about the importance of healthy sleep in relation to the overall health. With her neurology background she is able to appreciate the complex relationship between sleep disorders and neurological illnesses including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. She also enjoys treating pediatric sleep disorders and has a particular interest in treatment of sleep apnea in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of work, Dr. Andersen spends most of her time exploring the community with her husband and their three daughters. She loves the outdoors and enjoys road cycling, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, and feeds her competitive spirit with the occasional cyclo-cross race.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Psychologist
• Clinical Research Director

Dr. Harsh is a psychologist with board certification in Sleep Medicine. Until 2014, he was Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi and Clinic Director and Clinic Research Director at The Center for Sleep Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is currently adjunct professor in the Department of Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder where he teaches and is involved in research on Circadian and Sleep Health. Dr. Harsh's laboratory research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of the Army, and Research and Development companies. The principle focus of his laboratory research has been on the effects of sleep and sleepiness on the brain and behavior of adults and children. Dr. Harsh's clinical research has focused on treatment of sleep disorders including narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, shift work sleep disorder, delayed sleep phase, restless legs syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. He has been Principle Investigator on more than two dozen major clinical trials on efficacy and safety of mostly pharmaceutical treatment approaches. During free time, Dr. Harsh is an avid cyclist newly learning the joy of hiking in the Front Range.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Member of the Board

Dr. Hickey is the founder of the Colorado Sleep Institute (formerly Rem Sleep Medicine PC), which was established in 2010 to provide truly comprehensive care for the full spectrum of sleep disorders. Dr. Hickey is board-certified in Sleep Medicine which he practices full-time. After graduating from the University of South Florida College of Medicine, Dr. Hickey pursued a residency in adult Neurology at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Thereafter he completed a fellowship program in Sleep Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. Dr. Hickey was an Assistant Professor of Sleep Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center prior to founding the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2010. Dr. Hickey is a board member on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's Welltrinsic Network. At the Boulder Valley Individual Practice Association he is both a Board member and Credentials Committee member. He also serves on the board of the Boulder Valley Care Network and is an active member of the Colorado Medical Society and Boulder County Medical Society. When not working, Dr. Hickey enjoys spending time with his family camping, hiking and fishing.

Job Titles:

• Certified Physician Assistant
• Member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

PA Bailey is a nationally board-certified physician assistant. He completed his physician assistant training and graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University in 2017. Thereafter he practiced in neurology for several years before devoting his career full-time to the treatment of sleep disorders. PA Bailey joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2021. Prior to his training as a physician assistant, he received a Bachelor of Music degree with a focus in percussion performance from the University of Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida, PA Bailey worked at the same university as a course writer in addiction medicine at the McKnight Brain Institute and tutored anatomy & physiology at Santa Fe College. PA Bailey is an active member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Outside of work he enjoys gardening, writing music, watching movies, hiking, and spending time with his wife and cats.

Job Titles:

• Certified Physician Assistant

PA Lindquist is a certified physician assistant trained at Emory University. She has dual master's degrees in international public health and medical science and has extensive training in emergency medicine, family practice, psychiatry, and sleep medicine. Having devoted her practice to Sleep Medicine full-time, she joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2013 and is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all pediatric and adult sleep disorders. PA Lindquist is an active member in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She has extensive experience in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) and was trained by recognized insomnia experts Drs. Michael Perlis, Donn Posner, and Gregg Jacobs. Outside of work, PA Lindquist enjoys spending time with her family snowshoeing Brainard Lake trails or kayaking Minnesota lakes.

Job Titles:

• Certified Physician Assistant
• Member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

PA Rothfuss is a nationally board-certified physician assistant. He completed his training at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where he graduated with honors and joined the Colorado Sleep Institute in 2021. Prior to his training as a physician assistant, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Northeastern University. He was awarded a National Merit scholarship and graduated with honors in 2016. His passion for sleep medicine began during his undergraduate education, where he worked in a Harvard Medical School research lab studying neural pathways. After graduating from Northeastern, he worked in medicine as a Pulmonary Function lab technician and a Gastrointestinal technician before pursuing his graduate degree. PA Rothfuss is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and is a member of the Pi Alpha National Honor Society. Outside of work he enjoys mountain biking, camping, creating, and spending time with his girlfriend and animals.