2006 Press Releases
Dr. Mohammed Seedat Becomes Board Certified in Sleep Medicine ROME – Pulmonologist Mohammed Seedat, M.D., has earned board certification in sleep medicine through the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM). Dr. Seedat has been a practicing physician at Rome Memorial Hospital since 1997. According to the ABSM, sleep medicine is a clinical specialty that requires accurate diagnosis and treatment. The ABSM certification holds that Dr. Seedat has the credentials to practice sleep medicine to the highest academic and clinical standards. Chronic sleep disorders affect millions of Americans in numerous ways, including sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, dementia, and rhythm disorders. Those who have sleep disorders have a higher rate of congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension or higher blood pressure, strokes, obesity, and decreased productivity, explained Dr. Seedat. “There are many people who are very sleepy and tired during the day and they don’t understand why,” he said. “The most common problem I encounter with sleep disorders is snoring,” said Dr. Seedat, because it affects other people as well. “Sleep disorders often go undiagnosed because people don’t think they’re a problem. But, they can have a serious impact on a person’s health.” Sleep medicine involves a “conglomerate of specialties” said Dr. Seedat including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, respiratory physiology, pharmacology, psychology, psychiatry, neurology, general internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and pediatrics as well as others. His job is to diagnose the problem and to provide treatment, some rather unconventional. If it’s a mild sleep disorder, he may prescribe a different sleeping position or advise the person to attach tennis balls to the back of their pajamas so that they won’t lie on their back in the middle of the night. He may recommend that the individual visit an ear, nose and throat specialist to evaluate the airways which may be causing the sleeping disorder. Dr. Seedat completed fellowships in pulmonary, critical care and echocardiography from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 1996 and has always had an interest in sleep medicine. His expertise in his primary specialties allows him to look at sleep medicine from a broad, multi-disciplinary perspective. “I am able to see a broad spectrum of patients and apply my knowledge to treatment,” he said. Dr. Seedat works closely with internists and that results in “a better understanding of the patients’ needs, the mechanisms of different diseases” and through that, he is able to “prescribe the most appropriate treatment plan” for his patients. Dr. Seedat’s philosophy of medicine is that “medicine is an art. You can’t practice an art if you don’t have the knowledge,” he added. It is extremely important to include the patient in the treatment plan and decision making and Dr. Seedat said he listens closely to what patients are saying. “One patient is not the same as another,” he said. Though he considered being a pilot when he was a child, Dr. Seedat said he knew that medicine was his calling as he approached his teenage years. He comes from a long line of doctors – his mother’s brother and his favorite uncle whom he called “Doc Uncle” – were both general practitioners. “Everyone loved my uncle,” said Dr. Seedat. “He was an inspiration for me.” Dr. Seedat earned his medical degree from Pontifica Universidad Catolica Madre Y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and completed his medical internship at Crouser Chester Medical University, PA. He completed his residency at SUNY Upstate Medical Center where he is also a clinical assistant professor. He is a fellow with the American College of Chest Physicians; a fellow with the American College of Physicians; a fellow with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine; a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine; and a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine; He has published articles on findings in respiratory medicine in the “Journal of Clinical Pharmacology” and the “American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine” and has published abstracts on respiratory medicine in “Anesthesiology” and the “American Journal of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.” “The best gift is when someone thanks you and that you’ve made a difference in their life,” said Dr. Seedat. “You can’t beat that feeling,” he added. Dr. Seedat and his wife, Coral, an anesthesiologist who practices medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, reside in Rome with their three children. Patients who would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Seedat at his 1316 Black River Boulevard office may call 336-3353. | 
