The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), an independent nonprofit organization focused on sleep health education and advocacy, has appointed four members to its board of directors, expanding its expertise in sleep research, healthcare, transportation safety and occupational medicine
The new directors are Anne-Marie Chang, PhD, of Penn State University; Steven K. Howard, MD, of Stanford Medicine; Jeffrey Michael, EdD, of the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy; and Gina C. Pervall, MD, of LifeHealth LLC
They join a board chaired by Mark R. Rosekind, PhD, comprising researchers, clinicians, business leaders and public health professionals
The appointments are intended to support NSF’s efforts to translate scientific research into practical recommendations addressing the relationship between sleep, health, performance and safety
“Anne-Marie, Steve, Jeff, and Gina each bring deep expertise and real-world experience that will help NSF continue to be a trusted t can positively impact people’s daily living,” said John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation
Chang is an associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State University, where her research examines connections among sleep physiology, circadian rhythms, cardiometabolic health, cognitive performance and genomics
Her work has explored the effects of light exposure from electronic devices on sleep, as well as relationships between sleep patterns and adolescent health
Chang previously participated in NSF’s Screen Use and Sleep Consensus Panel and serves on the editorial board of Sleep Health, the foundation’s scientific journal
Her appointment adds expertise in sleep behavior and the health implications of technology use, particularly among younger populations
Howard is professor emeritus of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine at Stanford Medicine
His research focuses on how sleep deprivation and fatigue affect healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses and medical residents
Using simulation-based training, Howard has studied how fatigue influences clinical performance and how healthcare teams respond to high-pressure situations
His work includes crisis remaking and teamwork during medical emergencies
His experience brings a healthcare workforce and patient safety perspective to NSF’s board
Michael is a distinguished scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, where he holds the Leon S. Robertson Faculty Development Chair in Injury Prevention
His career has focused on developing and evaluating programs designed to improve transportation safety in the United States and internationally
His current research examines how emerging mobility technologies can improve road safety, reduce health disparities and support public health objectives
Michael is also leading efforts to develop evidence-based policy models for the introduction of new transportation technologies and services
His appointment strengthens the foundation’s expertise in injury prevention and the broader safety implications of sleep-related impairment
Pervall serves as national medical director of LifeHealth LLC, a provider of healthcare services and staffing solutions for employers and government agencies
She previously held medical leadership positions at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Department of Occupational Health and Wellness and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Pervall also served as chief of the Medical Advisory Board for the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration and chaired the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Medical Review Board
Her work has contributed to guidelines and regulatory policies addressing workplace safety and medical fitness to drive
Pervall previously served on the National Sleep Foundation’s board from 2022 to 2023, making her appointment a return to the organization’s leadership
Founded in 1990, the National Sleep Foundation develops educational regy standards intended to improve sleep health
The organization also publishes Sleep Health, a peer-reviewed journal covering research related to sleep and its effects on health and society
Its initiatives address sleep across multiple settings, including homes, workplaces, healthcare facilities and transportation systems
The four appointments bring additional academic, clinical and regulatory experience to NSF as it continues developing evidence-based guidance on sleep and its relationship to public health and safety
