Our Sleep Doctors and Sleep Specialists

Dr. Ralph Pascualy is a nationally recognized sleep specialist who has pioneered clinical care programs for patients with sleep disorders since 1984. He is the founder and director of Sleep Medicine Associates, and was the medical director of the sleep disorders center at Swedish Medical Center and Seattle Providence Sleep Disorders Center. In addition, Dr. Pascualy serves as the medical director of the Northwest Hospital Sleep Center.  He is a clinical professor of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington, School of Medicine.  Dr. Pascualy is a renowned lecturer, clinical trial researcher and author of “Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Sleep Well, Feel Better.” (4th edition)

"My commitment is to practice responsible, effective and compassionate sleep medicine that promotes health and wellness. As a physician, my role is to inform, educate and assist patients to achieve and optimal level of care in order for them to feel well-rested and improve their quality of life. I collaborate with other health-care professionals to promote healthy sleep for patients."

Dr. Sarah Stolz is the medical director of Sleep Medicine Associates and has practiced Sleep Disorders Medicine since 1991. She was formerly the associate director of the sleep center at Swedish Medical Center and Seattle Providence Sleep Disorders Center.  Dr. Stolz is a lecturer and clinical trial researcher and serves as clinical assistant professor for the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington Medical Center.

"I want my patients to feel that they are in control of their health care. The doctor-patient relationship is a partnership. My job is to give my patients the information they need to make good decisions, and to help guide them in the process of choosing and following a treatment plan that will improve their sleep and overall health."

Dr. Darius Zoroufy is a board certified sleep medicine specialist with over 13 years of extensive clinical care experience in sleep medicine and internal medicine. Previously, Dr. Zoroufy was medical director for two sleep medicine practices in Vermont. A special focus of his practice is the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in patients with significant cardiac and pulmonary disease as well as patients who need prompt evaluation per their surgeon’s referrals. Dr. Zoroufy also treats insomnia, shift work, jet lag and circadian rythm sleep disorders. He lectures on sleep disorders, and he’s a clinical trial researcher in sleep disorders.

"I believe in a comprehensive approach for sleep concerns such as insomnia, sleepiness on the job, sleep problems and medical illness, and sleep-related breathing disorders. By listening carefully and cooperating with the patient, I find it is much easier to achieve comprehensive and effective results."

Dr. Preetam Bandla is a pediatric sleep specialist at Sleep Medicine Asssociates, pediatric pulmonologist at Swedish Medical Center/Pediatric Specialty Care, and a pediatrician. Dr. Bandla specializes in treating sleep-disordered breathing in infants, children and adolescents, including children who have complex medical problems such as craniofacial anomalies and neuromuscular disorders. He has a special interest in respiratory control disorders and chronic noninvasive ventilation. Dr. Bandla completed his fellowhips at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa. and completed his residency at Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklyn, N.Y.  He conducts pediatric sleep disorders seminars to medical clinics and organizations serving the pediatric population. 

"I believe that it is important to recognize the unique needs of each individual child in order to provide the highest level of care. I strive to provide compassionate care in a child-friendly environment, where education and communication form the basis for crafting a treatment plan that is as individualized as it is effective. My patients are treated as children first, and then as patients - this is the cornerstone of my practice."

Dr. Ian Merrill is a sleep specialist, who is board certified in neurology and sleep medicine, and he treats all types of sleep disorders, including snoring, sleep apnea, insomia, narcolepsy, restless legs. He received his medical degree from the University of Washington, School of Medicine. Dr. Merrill completed his Sleep Medicine fellowship from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Merrill conducts educational presentations on all types of sleep disorders. He joined the sleep medicine team in 2007.

"I enjoy listening closely to my patients in order to truly understand their needs. My role is then to serve them as a resource and partner in following a wise treatment plan, working toward a shared goal of improved sleep, quality of life and health."

Dr. Iryna Sapieha is a sleep medicine specialist, she treats a full range of sleep disorders, including insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea, parasomnias, restless legs syndrome, etc. Dr. Sapieha provides comprehensive care for people of all ages and cultures. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Sleep Medicine. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine and trained in OB/GYN . Dr. Sapieha has a clinical interest in Sleep Medicine for women and women’s health, focusing on treating female sleep disorders according to each stage of life.

In addition, she’s fluent in English, Ukrainian, Russian and Polish.

Dr. Sapieha believes her role as a physician is to provide patients with the education, support and encouragement they need to care for themselves. Her commitment is to a compassionate and patient-centered approach.

Dr. Lina Fine is a sleep medicine specialist at Sleep Medicine Associates and neuropsychiatrist at Neurosciences Institute of Swedish Medical Center. She sees patients with all types of sleep problems and conditions. Dr. Fine’s clinical interest in sleep medicine is understanding and management of sleep related illnesses in complex association with psychiatric and neurological diseases. Among the broad range of such conditions are insomnias, parasomnias, and sleep related abnormal movements and behaviors.

Dr. Fine works closely with her patients and collaborates with their primary care physicians in managing their sleep conditions as sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome and circadian sleep disorders that may have a strong impact on cardiovascular health, endocrine axis and immunity.

"I am determined to provide patients with effective care that combines highly informed scientific methods and attention to the specific needs of each individual. Each person’s sleep difficulty and impact it has on one’s life require a uniquely tailored treatment that I hope to provide after careful consideration of one’s underlying health condition and state of mind, aiming at improving sleep as well as well being."

Barbara Parkman is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) who earned her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington, School of Nursing, where her focus was Primary Health Care and Family Nurse Practitioner Pathway. Barbara lectures on sleep disorders and is a subinvestigator for clinical research projects. She is specially trained in sleep disorders medicine and has over 15 years of experience in evaluating sleep disorders, with a special focus on insomnia management.

"I believe in treating sleep disorder patients with a holistic approach and individualized care. I encourage my patients to participate in decision-making regarding their care. Good sleep is as important as good nutrition and exercise in preserving and improving health."

David Margelli is a board-certified Physician Assistant who received his medical training at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York.  He has a special interest in the relationship of cardiovascular disease and sleep disorders, with several years of experience in cardiology prior to shifting to sleep medicine in 2004.  David is specially trained in sleep disorders medicine and has authored numerous articles on a variety of sleep topics, and is a clinical research investigator.  He conducts educational presentations on sleep apnea and other types of sleep disorders.

"It's important to remember that patients are not just a collection of symptoms. Consideration of the whole person is vital to successful treatment and a more comfortable, happier and satisfied patient - someone who will become a partner with me in the process of care."