Nigerian makes history as first black woman to open sleep clinic in the US
Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a Nigerian doctor based in the US. She is the first Black woman to own a sleep clinic called Restful Sleep MD.
Dr. Afolabi-Brown is a specialist in pediatric pulmonology and sleep medicine, having trained at the University of Pennsylvania. She has more than ten years of experience in clinical practice and is passionate about improving sleep health for both children and adults.
Restful Sleep MD provides comprehensive sleep care and coaching, with a focus on helping busy professional women and their children achieve better sleep for improved health and well-being.
Dr. Afolabi-Brown is also involved in public speaking and educational initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of sleep. She has been featured on platforms like ABC and BabyCenter, and has contributed to various advisory boards and professional committees to advance the field of sleep medicine.
“Sleep deprivation doesn’t just affect the individual; it impacts the entire family unit,” Afolabi-Brown said. “When a child is sleep deprived, their physical, mental and emotional health suffers. Parents are often physically and mentally exhausted themselves.”
“That is why our approach is family-centered. We address the root cause by looking at medical, psychosocial and behavioral components, from which we create customisable sleep treatments honoring the family’s values.”.
