Airway First

S8:E79 - Jatin Tekchandani: Understanding a Sleep Study Report

My guest today is Jatin Tekchandani, recently elected Vice President of the Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, who is a multifaceted expert in sleep medicine and data analytics. With a diverse background spanning polysomnography, engineering, and leadership roles, his career encompasses diagnosis, therapy development, and cutting-edge research.
Starting as a night technologist, Jatin worked his way up through hands-on experience, earning prestigious credentials from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists, the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic Technologists, the American Board of Sleep Medicine, and the Computing Technology Industry Association. He also holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Houston.
 Jatin's passion lies in empowering sleep technologists with the clinical and technical strategies needed to excel in diagnosing and treating patients using the latest technologies. As a researcher and trainer, he is at the forefront of advancing sleep medicine through data-driven insights and innovative approaches. With his unique blend of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and commitment to professional development, Jatin is a driving force in shaping the future of sleep technology and fostering excellence in the field.
You can learn more about JT and the Texas Society of Sleep Professionals at txssp.org.
Show Notes:
Jatin Tekchandani, MSBME, R. EEG T., RPSGT
Texas Society of Sleep Professionals

S8:E78 - Jenny Gay: A Parent's Airway Journey

My guest today is mom of three, Jenny Gay. Jenny and her family have been on an airway journey that includes all three of her sons and herself.
In this episode, Jenny shares her ups and downs, tips, and many of the resources she has found along the way. She hopes this information will help other parents in their own airway journeys with their children.
 
Show Notes
Dr. George Rivera, DDS: Website
CAFF Facebook Group: The Airway Huddle
CAFF Recommended Reading List
Myofunctional Therapist: Kristen Miller
Vivos Guide
IBLCE

S8:E77 - Dr. Marielly Mitchell: Feeding Therapy, Baby Biohacking, and Proper Airway Management

Show Notes:
Throughout the episode, Dr. Mitchell mentions several resources that may be useful for both parents and medical professionals. This blog post is dedicated on providing all of that supporting material:
TherePlay LA - Dr. Marielly Mitchell's website
MyoMunchee
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor
ALF Appliance/Orthodontics
The Airway Huddle - CAFF Parent's Facebook Support Group
Airway Circle
The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Child's Care Team

S8:E76 - Dr. Hilary Pada: We're All Just Grown-up Babies / CO2llaborative Care (Part 2)

My guest today is Dr. Hilary Pada. Hilary was raised with an appreciation of nature, family, community, and creativity. Born and raised in Kelowna, Hilary returned home after University years having backpacked in Africa, Europe, Central America and lots of road trips through Canada! A 2000 graduate of UBC Dental School.
 
Dr. Pada's interest in Hospital, Emergency, and Complex Medical-Dental care motivated her to pursue the UBC-VGH General Dental Residency. Exposure to Oral Oncology piqued her interest and brought her home to work at BCCancer in Kelowna, start her family and raise 2 beautiful daughters.
 
Since 2001, Hilary has served patients in private practice dentistry and at BCCancer Kelowna. She embarked on a new journey in Myofunctional Care and Integrative Oral Medicine when her youngest daughter’s health needs collided with a planned dental care path. Her many hours of continued learning exposed her to a different way of thinking…that breathing issues and body tensions are the root cause of many dental conditions. This has not been an easy path. It conflicts on some level with many aspects of established health care, which has been a challenge personally and professionally.
 
It has been a personal healing journey as much as learning a new way to show up as a dentist in integrative health care. “Once you see it, you cannot unsee it”, “breath forms life forms” and “meet people where the are at” are common phrases spoken about this path. Hilary is fortunate to have assembled a strong, supportive and growing team of dedicated health professionals whose combined passion forms CO₂llaborative Care + Research.
 
You can find out more about Dr. Pada at www.co2llab.care.
 
For access to all photos, videos, and resources, visit the blog posting at childrensairwayfirst.org/blogs.

S8:E75 - Dr. Hilary Pada: We're All Just Grown-up Babies / CO2llaborative Care (Part 1)

My guest today is Dr. Hilary Pada. Hilary was raised with an appreciation of nature, family, community, and creativity. Born and raised in Kelowna, Hilary returned home after University years having backpacked in Africa, Europe, Central America and lots of road trips through Canada! A 2000 graduate of UBC Dental School.
Dr. Pada's interest in Hospital, Emergency, and Complex Medical-Dental care motivated her to pursue the UBC-VGH General Dental Residency. Exposure to Oral Oncology piqued her interest and brought her home to work at BCCancer in Kelowna, start her family and raise 2 beautiful daughters.
Since 2001, Hilary has served patients in private practice dentistry and at BCCancer Kelowna. She embarked on a new journey in Myofunctional Care and Integrative Oral Medicine when her youngest daughter’s health needs collided with a planned dental care path. Her many hours of continued learning exposed her to a different way of thinking…that breathing issues and body tensions are the root cause of many dental conditions. This has not been an easy path. It conflicts on some level with many aspects of established health care, which has been a challenge personally and professionally.
It has been a personal healing journey as much as learning a new way to show up as a dentist in integrative health care. “Once you see it, you cannot unsee it”, “breath forms life forms” and “meet people where the are at” are common phrases spoken about this path. Hilary is fortunate to have assembled a strong, supportive and growing team of dedicated health professionals whose combined passion forms CO₂llaborative Care + Research.
You can find out more about Dr. Pada at www.co2llab.care.
For full show notes, links, and videos, visit our blog postings at childrensairwayfirst.org/blogs.

S8:E74 - Dr. Kevin Coppelson: The Breathe Institute and Orthognathic Surgery

My guest today is Dr. Kevin Coppelson. Dr. Kevin Coppelson is a board-certified and fellowship-trained Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing at The Breathe Institute in Southern California. He practices a broad range of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery- with a focus on skeletal augmentation for the treatment of maxillofacial deformities and sleep-related breathing disorders. 
Dr. Coppelson brings the knowledge and experience necessary to stay on the cutting edge of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. 
Dr. Coppelson's highly specialized training provides him with expertise on procedures ranging from corrective jaw surgery, minimally invasive jaw expansion, dental implants, and management of wisdom teeth.
You can find out more about Dr. Coppelson at drcoppelson.com.
Show Notes:
MIND Technique
Airway Health Research Downloads from The Breathe Institute
The Breathe Institute
 

S8:E73 - Maggie Lavender, MSN, RN, FNP-C: Sleep, Narcolepsy, and Kid's Health

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

S8:E72 - Natalie Udwin: Getting to the Root Cause with Occupational Therapy

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

S8:E71 - Dr. Claire Stagg: Everything Starts with the Mouth

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

S8:E70 - Kelley Rubio: Sleep, Breathing, and Mental Health in Children

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