Welcome to Airway First - A Parent's Guide to Sleep and Airway Health for Children
Each episode explores the topic of children's sleep and airway health with medical professionals and clinicians. Some of the topics discussed include:
My guest today is Maggie Lavender - a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner licensed in Texas with specialization in Sleep Disorders Medicine and Neurology. She attended Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She began her career working in a pediatric intensive care and burn unit. She later moved to Houston, Texas and continued her career in a neuroscience intensive care unit at a level one trauma center. She then completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Post-Master’s Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate simultaneously at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her Nurse Practitioner career began in Houston, Texas at Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA) alongside Dr. Jerald Simmons, beginning in 2012. Maggie has evolved to be a recognized Nurse Practitioner specialist on a national level, and currently functions as a consultant and lecturer on the management of narcolepsy patients. She is currently practicing again at CSMA and is specializing in comprehensive sleep disorders, neurology, and epilepsy. You can find out more about Maggie a csma.clinic. Show Notes: International Pediatric Sleep Association (ISPA) SEC Dental Sleep Conference World Sleep Conference 2025 The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
My guest today is Occupational Therapist, Natalie "Nat" Udwin. Nat is an infant development, airway and reflexive feeding specialist. Most people know them on Instagram as "Nat The Baby OT". Nat has a B.A. in Studio Art from Whitman College and a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Milligan College and has been an OT for 12 years. They have specialized in infant development for 7 years now. Nat, alongside some incredible mentors and colleagues, has spent the past 7 years mastering their understanding of infant development to not only become an infant development specialist, but to create what is now the foundation of Áha OT - a holistic airway focused approach to therapy - for children of all ages. You can find out more about Nat at ahaotcollab.podia.com or on Instagram at nat_thebabyot. Show Notes: The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children, by Roger Thurow The TummyTime! Method with Michelle Emanuel Campfire Chats with Nat
My guest today is Dr. Claire Stagg. Dr. Stagg's academic journey began at the University of Bordeaux, France, where she earned her Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1982. With a relentless thirst for knowledge, she has amassed over 2,700 hours of additional training, with an emphasis in TMJ / Sleep Disorders, Orthopedics, and Dental Rehabilitation. Her quest for excellence led her to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she attained a Master’s of Science focusing on Craniofacial Pain in 2011. Renowned for her pioneering work, Dr. Stagg has been a trailblazer since her early days, being the first to pass the Trinidad Dental Board Examinations post-graduation and facilitating significant advancements in dental care delivery in Grenada. Her credentials are further highlighted by her Fellowship in the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and her innovative contributions to Craniofacial Epigenetics and nonsurgical airway remodeling. Dr. Stagg's practice is not just about treating teeth but nurturing the person behind the smile. She believes in the intrinsic connection of the mouth to the body's overall health and strives for a balance that enhances vital functions — breathing, swallowing, eating, and smiling. Her integrative approach promotes not just survival but thriving, ensuring a quality of life that resonates with wellness and joy. With a professional interest that spans Biological, Wholistic, and Cosmetic Dentistry, coupled with a strong emphasis on proper Nutrition, Dr. Stagg is at the forefront of a dental revolution. She is dedicated to providing her patients with healthy, beautiful, and pain-free smiles, demonstrating the deep interrelation between the body and the bite. You can find out more about Dr. Stagg at HealthConnectionsDentistry.com. Show Notes: Smile: It's All Connected, by Dr. Claire Stagg Resources from Dr. Stagg Dr. Brendan Stack's Treatment for Complex TMJ Disorders: Watch Video
My guest today is Kelley Rubio, an Arizona native and US Army veteran with a heartfelt commitment to pediatric care since 1996. Her practice has two locations in the Phoenix Valley and she works with patients in person and via Telehealth. As a licensed dental hygienist, she specializes in myofunctional therapy and is a Certified Buteyko Breathing Practitioner. Kelley stays at the forefront of her field through ongoing training, holding a Qualification in Orofacial Myology. What sets Kelley apart is not just her expertise but also the genuine connections she forms with each patient. Her passion for orofacial myology is driven by the meaningful relationships she builds. You can find out more about Kelley at mymyomyhealth.com. Show Notes: Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Dr. Peter Attia Airway MamaBears - CAFF Store Buteyko Breathing Techniques Oral Health in America - Surgeon General's Report 2021 Protecting Youth Mental Health - Surgeon General's Statement 2021 National Alliance of Mental Illness Website: www.nami.org Airway Palooza 2024 SEC Sleep Conference 2024 Collaboration Cures 2024
My guest today is Dr. Mark Levi. Dr. Levi has over 30 years experience as a Dentist, and over 20 years in Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. He is a member of the Australasian Sleep Association, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and European Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. As a former sufferer of Sleep Apnea, Dr. Levi understands the problem from all perspectives, and has the technical expertise to provide the best customizes and appropriate solution to suit his patient's individual needs. He has trained in the US with many of the world's leading Sleep Experts and can often be seen on national television and lecturing around the world! You can find out more about Dr. Mark Levi at drlevis.com.au. Show Notes: Dr. Mark Levi website Finding Connor Video Foundation for Airway Health Breathe, Sleep, Thrive: Discover How Airway Health Can Unlock Your Child's Greater Health, Learning, and Potential by Dr. Shereen Lim