CHATTAHOOCHEE SLEEP CENTER LETITIA


HOUSTON Physician’s Assistant


As the daughter of a doctor, Letitia Houston was “bitten by the medicine bug” early. In high school, she worked in the front offices of her father Dr. Thomas Malone’s Ob/Gyn practice. She quickly worked her way back to the examining rooms as a physician’s assistant.


Letitia got her undergraduate degree from Hampton University in Virginia,


her PA degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, and her master’s in PA studies from the University of Nebraska in Omaha.


She became interested in sleep medi- cine when working in Chicago while her husband, Bryant Houston, was going to school. She saw sleep problems arising due to obesity, and she noticed insom- nia and restless leg issues while deal- ing with women’s health.


Her husband’s family owns a sleep


center, and Letitia wanted to bring an accredited facility to her hometown. Three years ago she began planning with her husband, who has an MBA from the University of Chicago. Chat- tahoochee Sleep Center opened in August 2011.


Letitia is particularly


“gung ho” about letting the commu- nity know that there is a quality center in Columbus and there is no need to travel to Atlanta or elsewhere for an accredited sleep study.


In addition to being part owner, Leti- tia is the clinical director, serving as a liaison between the doctor and techni- cians at the clinic. One of the biggest satisfactions she enjoys is the feed- back from patients after their study. “The best thing is when they say, ‘I


can sleep now,’ or a partner or fam- ily member says, ‘Wow, I had a good night’s sleep because he had a good night’s sleep,’” Letitia says. She also gets a great feeling when a mother talks about how her child sleeps bet- ter or his behavior has been rectified. As a mother of two boys, ages 4 and 6, Letitia understands the importance of sleep for children and works to pro- vide them with good habits and sleep hygiene. “Sleep is our body’s way to recuperate,” she explains. “If we don’t get enough, Pandora’s box opens up with hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardio vascular disease.”


Only Accredited Independent Sleep Center in the Area


When other doctors’ offices are


closing for the day, Chattahoochee Sleep Center is coming to life. Colum- bus’ only independent center, accred- ited by the American Academy of


68 Columbus and the Valley


2410 Double Churches Rd. 706.221.7256


chattahoocheesleepcenter.com


Sleep Medicine, performs overnight sleep diagnostic studies and evalu- ation, offering advanced technology, mask-fitting assistance and personal- ized treatment plans. Some daytime testing is also offered.


An increasing number of adults are suffering from sleep disorders, rang- ing from insomnia to restless leg syn- drome. Obesity, ADHD and similar dis- orders are resulting in more childhood sleep disorders as well. Due to the capabilities of its medical director and its equipment, Chattahoochee Sleep Center is the only center that can per- form sleep studies for children. Unlike other medical facilities, the center is homey with three bedrooms, one specifically decorated for


chil-


dren, and a relaxing kitchen area. Patients come in around 8:30, watch TV, have a snack and prepare for bed. The queen-sized beds with their plush bedding, the internet access, remote controlled TV with cable and private bathroom are more like a luxury hotel than a doctor’s office.


When the lights go out around


10 p.m., the Chattahoochee Sleep Center technicians go to work. They remotely monitor the patients with computers that provide video images and sensors that record brain waves, muscle activity, respiration and heart rhythms. The testing is painless, non- invasive and doesn’t restrict move- ment. Results are discussed with the patient and primary health care provider, and a plan of care is devel- oped in conjunction with the center’s specialists to effectively manage any disorder.


Chattahoochee Sleep Center Medi- cal Director Jonathan Liss, M.D., has been recognized with numerous awards as a practicing physician and researcher in the field of sleep medi- cine. He is certified and a diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Patients can either make an appoint-


ment for a consultation or be referred by a physician. The center is located at 2410 Double Churches Road or you can visit online at chattahoochee sleepcenter.com.


JUNE 2013


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