Board Member Spotlight
Ariel Williamson is a sleep psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Children Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. In addition to her work at the CHOP sleep center, Ariel is also a sleep expert for the Pediatric Sleep Council which provides free, evidence-based information about early childhood sleep. Ariel has long been passionate about improving pediatric sleep health and reducing sleep health disparities.
We asked Ariel some questions about her career as well as her involvement with OHAAT and this is what she said:
1. What is your profession and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I am a sleep psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. I treat children with sleep difficulties at the CHOP Sleep Center and conduct research on methods to improve sleep health during childhood. I am also a sleep expert for the Pediatric Sleep Council, which provides free, evidence-based information about early childhood sleep. I was inspired to pursue a career as a psychologist during college, when I started serving as a peer mentor. Throughout my graduate school experience, I became increasingly focused on finding ways to help promote the mental and physical health of children and their families living in poverty. After rotation in the CHOP Sleep Center during my doctoral program, where I learned about the importance of sleep in promoting child wellbeing, I became committed to the field of pediatric sleep medicine.
2. What is your favorite part of your job?
I absolutely love the integration of clinical practice and research in my job. All of the research that I do has the ultimate goal of providing better care to children and their families struggling with sleep problems. Being able to conduct this research while also learning from the patients I see at the CHOP Sleep Center is incredibly rewarding.
3. How did you come to be a part of the OHAAT Board of Directors?
Dr. Jodi Mindell, the associate director of the CHOP Sleep Center, offered me the incredible opportunity to conduct research under her mentorship during my doctoral and post-doctoral training. Dr. Mindell included me in a study that evaluated the sleep benefits of the Beds for Kids program. I expressed a strong interest in continuing to work with OHAAT/Beds for Kids and was thrilled when the executive director at the time invited me to participate as a board member.
4. What about the OHAAT mission and work really motivates you?
OHAAT’s mission to end bedlessness among children living in poverty is so closely aligned with my own research that aims to improve pediatric sleep health and reduce sleep health disparities. Beyond educational information about healthy sleep, OHAAT provides the physical tools (a bed, bedding, a bedtime bag) that are critical for healthy childhood sleep. This combination of sleep health education and physical tools to promote childhood sleep is really amazing and I believe it makes a hugely positive impact on families.
5. What message would you like to share with OHAAT friends and supporters?
When you think about tangible ways to help others in our society, particularly now when families of color and those of lower socioeconomic status are being impacted disproportionately by COVID-19, please consider supporting Beds for Kids. Any amount helps to provide children with the opportunity for healthy sleep, which is critical for mental health and physical wellbeing, especially during a global pandemic. Thank you so much to our donors and volunteers for the continued friendship and support!
